--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I would be so exhausted by my…" description: "\"I would be so exhausted by my determination that I had no strength left to do the actual work.\" — Etty Hillesum" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/499/etty-hillesum-9002_determination_i-would-be-so-exhausted-by-my-determinat_1612270.jpg" --- # I would be so exhausted by my determination that I had no… ![“I would be so exhausted by my determination that I had no strength left to do the actual work.” quote by Etty Hillesum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/499/etty-hillesum-9002_determination_i-would-be-so-exhausted-by-my-determinat_1612270.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/499/etty-hillesum-9002_determination_i-would-be-so-exhausted-by-my-determinat_1612270.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/499/etty-hillesum-9002_determination_i-would-be-so-exhausted-by-my-determinat_1612270.jpg) > “I would be so exhausted by my determination that I had no strength left to do the actual work.” [Etty Hillesum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etty-hillesum/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Excessive determination can drain energy, leaving none for execution. **In simple terms:** Too much drive can exhaust you. Key Takeaway Balance drive with rest. Themes determination exhaustion productivity Mood tired reflective Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - project planning - creative work - physical tasks Key Concepts energy management self‑care Questions to Reflect On - How do you pace your effort? - What rest restores your energy? A Different Perspective Even with strong will, fatigue can hinder results. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Determination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination/) [Determination Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination-strength-358634/) [Exhausted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exhausted/) [Exhausted Determination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exhausted-determination-5748064/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Left](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/left/) [Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength/) [Strength Left](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strength-left-2064413/) [Would be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/would-be/) ## Related quotes > [I keep remembering from my early student days how I would walk at night through the streets, my hands bunched into fists in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etty-hillesum/i-keep-remembering-from-my-early-student-days-how-i-would-walk-at/) [Etty Hillesum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etty-hillesum/) > [Determination is the strength that will enable you to pass the barrier of useless thoughts in order to create positive thoughts and to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-bk-satyanarayan/determination-is-the-strength-that-will-enable-you-to-pass-the/) [Dr BK Satyanarayan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-bk-satyanarayan/) > [I've had a sense of self-determination and strength that have carried me through. Hopefully I can bring that into my work and guide other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-michael-smith/i-ve-had-a-sense-of-self-determination-and-strength-that-have-carried/) [Brian Michael Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-michael-smith/) > [Determination is the strength needed to succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-gable/determination-is-the-strength-needed-to-succeed/) [Dan Gable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-gable/) > [Success waits patiently for anyone who has the determination and strength to seize it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/success-waits-patiently-for-anyone-who-has-the-determination-and/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [It's so easy to confirm what you believe about somebody by the numbers how fast they are, how tall they are, how strong they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cris-collinsworth/it-s-so-easy-to-confirm-what-you-believe-about-somebody-by-the/) [Cris Collinsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cris-collinsworth/) > [And I'm still alive. That's what I have to focus on. Because I want to live. Even now I can't let myself give up.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cheryl-rainfield/and-i-m-still-alive-that-s-what-i-have-to-focus-on-because-i-want-to/) [Cheryl Rainfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cheryl-rainfield/) > [“Its the things in life that we love that keep us going. The willpower to achieve a goal and the hope of finishing it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emir-talundzic/its-the-things-in-life-that-we-love-that-keep-us-going-the-willpower/) [Emir Talundzic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emir-talundzic/) > [Enclose your heart in times of need with the steel of your determination and your strength. In doing this, all things will be bearable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lora-leigh/enclose-your-heart-in-times-of-need-with-the-steel-of-your/) [Lora Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lora-leigh/) > [“You know, when you're unhappy you don't have the strength left to take care of others. But it doesn't mean you don't love them.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesca-marciano/you-know-when-you-re-unhappy-you-don-t-have-the-strength-left-to-take/) [Francesca Marciano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesca-marciano/) > [There's no strength left in the world of men. -Elrond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-of-the-rings/there-s-no-strength-left-in-the-world-of-men-elrond/) [Lord Of The Rings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-of-the-rings/) > [“Hold on to the world we all remember fighting for There's some strength left in us yet Hold on to the world we all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flyleaf/hold-on-to-the-world-we-all-remember-fighting-for-there-s-some/) [Flyleaf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flyleaf/) > [Do I have the mental strength? I left home when I was 13 years old.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberto-mancini/do-i-have-the-mental-strength-i-left-home-when-i-was-13-years-old/) [Roberto Mancini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberto-mancini/) > [From my weakness, I drew strength that never left me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/from-my-weakness-i-drew-strength-that-never-left-me/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [“Somehow I can live in that awful building‟s shadows,” she said, “but I don‟t think I have the strength left to ever set foot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-brennessel/somehow-i-can-live-in-that-awful-building-s-shadows-she-said-but-i/) [Barry Brennessel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-brennessel/) ## More by Etty Hillesum > [A large group of us were crowded into the Gestapo hall, and at that moment the circumstances of all our lives were the same.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etty-hillesum/a-large-group-of-us-were-crowded-into-the-gestapo-hall-and-at-that/) [Etty Hillesum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etty-hillesum/) > [Every word born of an inner necessity - writing must never be anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etty-hillesum/every-word-born-of-an-inner-necessity-writing-must-never-be-anything/) [Etty Hillesum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etty-hillesum/) > [That fear of missing out on things makes you miss out on everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etty-hillesum/that-fear-of-missing-out-on-things-makes-you-miss-out-on-everything/) [Etty Hillesum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etty-hillesum/) > [There are moments when I feel like giving up or giving in, but I soon rally again and do my duty as I see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etty-hillesum/there-are-moments-when-i-feel-like-giving-up-or-giving-in-but-i-soon/) [Etty Hillesum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etty-hillesum/) > [Here, beside this great black surface that is my desk, I feel as though I am on a desert island.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etty-hillesum/here-beside-this-great-black-surface-that-is-my-desk-i-feel-as-though/) [Etty Hillesum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etty-hillesum/) > [The externals are simply so many props; everything we need is within us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etty-hillesum/the-externals-are-simply-so-many-props-everything-we-need-is-within-us/) [Etty Hillesum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etty-hillesum/) > [If one finds the strength to deal with small things, one finds it to deal with the large ones as well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etty-hillesum/if-one-finds-the-strength-to-deal-with-small-things-one-finds-it-to/) [Etty Hillesum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etty-hillesum/) > [All disasters stem from us. Why is there a war? Perhaps because now and then I might be inclined to snap at my neighbour.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etty-hillesum/all-disasters-stem-from-us-why-is-there-a-war-perhaps-because-now-and/) [Etty Hillesum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etty-hillesum/) > [Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etty-hillesum/sometimes-the-most-important-thing-in-a-whole-day-is-the-rest-we-take/) [Etty Hillesum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etty-hillesum/) > [We human beings cause monstrous conditions, but precisely because we cause them we soon learn to adapt ourselves to them. Only if we become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etty-hillesum/we-human-beings-cause-monstrous-conditions-but-precisely-because-we/) [Etty Hillesum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etty-hillesum/) > [Despite everything, life is full of beauty and meaning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etty-hillesum/despite-everything-life-is-full-of-beauty-and-meaning/) [Etty Hillesum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etty-hillesum/) > [Sometimes my day is crammed full of people and talk and yet I have the feeling of living in utter peace and quiet. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etty-hillesum/sometimes-my-day-is-crammed-full-of-people-and-talk-and-yet-i-have/) [Etty Hillesum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etty-hillesum/) > [To live fully, outwardly and inwardly, not to ignore the external reality for the sake of the inner life, or the reverse, that's quite…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etty-hillesum/to-live-fully-outwardly-and-inwardly-not-to-ignore-the-external/) [Etty Hillesum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etty-hillesum/) > [If one burdens the future with one's worries, it cannot grow organically. I am filled with confidence, not that I shall succeed in worldly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etty-hillesum/if-one-burdens-the-future-with-one-s-worries-it-cannot-grow/) [Etty Hillesum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etty-hillesum/) > [We have to fight them daily, like fleas, those many small worries about the morrow, for they sap our energies. We make mental provisions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etty-hillesum/we-have-to-fight-them-daily-like-fleas-those-many-small-worries-about/) [Etty Hillesum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etty-hillesum/) [Explore all 62 Etty Hillesum quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etty-hillesum/) ## More Determination quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) [Ted Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-martinez/) > [In 1990, when they asked me to shoot a cover for 'British Vogue' to convey my personal vision of a woman, I explained that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-lindbergh/in-1990-when-they-asked-me-to-shoot-a-cover-for-british-vogue-to/) [Peter Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-lindbergh/) > [“It is not the force of the wind, but the depth of the roots.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-d-lounsbrough/it-is-not-the-force-of-the-wind-but-the-depth-of-the-roots/) [Craig D. Lounsbrough](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-d-lounsbrough/) > [Grit, determination, the right amount of crazy, self belief - everything it takes to be a champion. I have that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dustin-poirier/grit-determination-the-right-amount-of-crazy-self-belief-everything/) [Dustin Poirier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dustin-poirier/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [If you are not willing to learn, no one can help you. If you are determined to learn, no one can stop you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-not-willing-to-learn-no-one-can-help-you-if-you-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For as much as government can do and must do, it is ultimately the faith and determination of the American people upon which this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-as-much-as-government-can-do-and-must-do-it-is-ultimately-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Don't let a breath escape from your body without Krishna's name. That should be our determination throughout our life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radhanath-swami/don-t-let-a-breath-escape-from-your-body-without-krishna-s-name-that/) [Radhanath Swami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radhanath-swami/) > [Work towards your goal and dont watch the post size,its either they hate,or like you.there is no room for both sides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-buabeng/work-towards-your-goal-and-dont-watch-the-post-size-its-either-they/) [Isaac Buabeng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-buabeng/) > [“Making a decision takes a moment, living a decision takes a life-time.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherif-a-el-mawardy/making-a-decision-takes-a-moment-living-a-decision-takes-a-life-time/) [Sherif A. El-Mawardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherif-a-el-mawardy/) > [“Fate and future both are servant to the determined, for they are nothing but creation of human determination.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/fate-and-future-both-are-servant-to-the-determined-for-they-are/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [We cannot go back in time and change the past, but we can repent. The Savior can wipe away our tears of regret and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/we-cannot-go-back-in-time-and-change-the-past-but-we-can-repent-the/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [“She felt wild and unruly, determined and free.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-stabile/she-felt-wild-and-unruly-determined-and-free/) [Scott Stabile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-stabile/) > [“The real failure is not the one who falls down, it's the one who refuses to get up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/habeeb-akande/the-real-failure-is-not-the-one-who-falls-down-it-s-the-one-who/) [Habeeb Akande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/habeeb-akande/) > [“I AM ALL ABOUT SELF-DETERMINATION. Will. Control. I determine my path in life. I decide my failures and successes. Screw fate. Destiny can kiss…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-chase/i-am-all-about-self-determination-will-control-i-determine-my-path-in/) [Emma Chase](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-chase/) [Browse all 3,068 Determination quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/determination/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I would be so exhausted by my determination that I had no strength left to do the actual work.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Etty Hillesum" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etty-hillesum/i-would-be-so-exhausted-by-my-determination-that-i-had-no-strength/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Determination" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etty-hillesum/i-would-be-so-exhausted-by-my-determination-that-i-had-no-strength/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/499/etty-hillesum-9002_determination_i-would-be-so-exhausted-by-my-determinat_1612270.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/499/etty-hillesum-9002_determination_i-would-be-so-exhausted-by-my-determinat_1612270.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/499/etty-hillesum-9002_determination_i-would-be-so-exhausted-by-my-determinat_1612270.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I would be so exhausted by my determination that I had no strength left to do the actual work.” — Etty Hillesum", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Etty Hillesum", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etty-hillesum/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I would be so exhausted by...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etty-hillesum/i-would-be-so-exhausted-by-my-determination-that-i-had-no-strength/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etty-hillesum/i-would-be-so-exhausted-by-my-determination-that-i-had-no-strength/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```