--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To save the mind from preying inwardly…" description: "\"To save the mind from preying inwardly upon itself, it must be encouraged to some outward pursuit. There is no other way to elude apathy, or escape dis..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1a/fanny-burney-7403_apathy_to-save-the-mind-from-preying-inwardly-u_887790.jpg" --- # To save the mind from preying inwardly upon itself, it… ![“To save the mind from preying inwardly upon itself, it must be encouraged to some outward pursuit. There is no other way to elude apathy, or escape discontent; none other to guard the temper from that quarrel with itself, which ultimately ends in quarreling with all mankind.” quote by Fanny Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1a/fanny-burney-7403_apathy_to-save-the-mind-from-preying-inwardly-u_887790.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1a/fanny-burney-7403_apathy_to-save-the-mind-from-preying-inwardly-u_887790.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1a/fanny-burney-7403_apathy_to-save-the-mind-from-preying-inwardly-u_887790.jpg) > “To save the mind from preying inwardly upon itself, it must be encouraged to some outward pursuit. There is no other way to elude apathy, or escape discontent; none other to guard the temper from that quarrel with itself, which ultimately ends in quarreling with all mankind.” [Fanny Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-burney/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The mind must be directed outward to avoid self‑absorbing apathy and conflict that spreads to others. **In simple terms:** Focus outward to escape inner turmoil. Key Takeaway Seek external engagement. Themes self‑reflection apathy conflict Mood contemplative serious Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - volunteering - creative projects - social activism - learning new skills Key Concepts psychology philosophy mental health Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance inner work with outward action? - What external activity energizes you? A Different Perspective External pursuits may still leave inner issues unresolved. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Apathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apathy/) [Apathy Escape](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apathy-escape-1116310/) [Be encouraged](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-encouraged/) [Discontent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discontent/) [Elude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elude/) [Ends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ends/) [Escape Discontent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/escape-discontent-1116313/) [Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mankind/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Mind Preying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind-preying-1116311/) [Preying Inwardly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preying-inwardly-1116309/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Pursuit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursuit/) [Quarreling Mankind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quarreling-mankind-1116312/) [Quarrels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quarrels/) [Temper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temper/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) ## Related quotes > [To save the mind from preying inwardly upon itself, it must be encouraged to some outward pursuit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-burney/to-save-the-mind-from-preying-inwardly-upon-itself-it-must-be-2/) [Fanny Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-burney/) > [It is not the passion of a mind struggling with misfortune, or the hopelessness of its desires, but of a mind preying on itself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/it-is-not-the-passion-of-a-mind-struggling-with-misfortune-or-the/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [Young writers need to be encouraged to write - just write - with no restrictions on form, style or content.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelley-armstrong/young-writers-need-to-be-encouraged-to-write-just-write-with-no/) [Kelley Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelley-armstrong/) > [You know as I started as a shy young conductor, I always wanted to cooperate. To build up the musicians. To help them to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-masur/you-know-as-i-started-as-a-shy-young-conductor-i-always-wanted-to/) [Kurt Masur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-masur/) > [It is notable how little empathy is cultivated or valued in our society. I put this down to our traditional racism and obsessive sectarianism.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gore-vidal/it-is-notable-how-little-empathy-is-cultivated-or-valued-in-our/) [Gore Vidal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gore-vidal/) > [Colonization was the idea that once slavery ended African-Americans should be encouraged - or required, in some people's view - required to leave the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-foner/colonization-was-the-idea-that-once-slavery-ended-african-americans/) [Eric Foner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-foner/) > [I don't think people should be encouraged to look like Kate Moss; I think that's unreasonable. I think the normal human body should be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/i-don-t-think-people-should-be-encouraged-to-look-like-kate-moss-i/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [Science is not formal logic-it needs the free play of the mind in as great a degree as any other creative art. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-born/science-is-not-formal-logic-it-needs-the-free-play-of-the-mind-in-as/) [Max Born](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-born/) > [Any individual decisions can be badly thought through, and yet be successful, or exceedingly well thought through, but be unsuccessful, because the recognized possibility…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-rubin/any-individual-decisions-can-be-badly-thought-through-and-yet-be/) [Robert Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-rubin/) > [“As you struggle through whatever you are going through remember there is help somewhere, someone out there has solutions, and you will stumble upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/as-you-struggle-through-whatever-you-are-going-through-remember-there/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [Curiosity in children ... is but an appetite after knowledge and therefore ought to be encouraged in them, not only as a good sign,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-locke/curiosity-in-children-is-but-an-appetite-after-knowledge-and/) [John Locke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-locke/) > [Whether it's in in livability, transportation, or the environment, Portland is always leading the country. We have more to do before we achieve our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-blumenauer/whether-it-s-in-in-livability-transportation-or-the-environment/) [Earl Blumenauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-blumenauer/) > [Stop…stop, that’s the next generation of fans… How dare you pass judgment on those 12-year-old girls who like vampires! They need to be encouraged…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-smith/stop-stop-that-s-the-next-generation-of-fans-how-dare-you-pass/) [Kevin Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-smith/) > [I noted about Cate Blanchett was her very positive lack of concern for how she turns out in Cinderella. She is happy to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-branagh/i-noted-about-cate-blanchett-was-her-very-positive-lack-of-concern/) [Kenneth Branagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-branagh/) > [What we need most right now, at this moment, is a kind of patriotic grace - a grace that takes the long view, apprehends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peggy-noonan/what-we-need-most-right-now-at-this-moment-is-a-kind-of-patriotic/) [Peggy Noonan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peggy-noonan/) ## More by Fanny Burney > [falsehood is not more unjustifiable than unsafe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-burney/falsehood-is-not-more-unjustifiable-than-unsafe/) [Fanny Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-burney/) > [O! how short a time does it take to put an end to a woman's liberty!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-burney/o-how-short-a-time-does-it-take-to-put-an-end-to-a-woman-s-liberty/) [Fanny Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-burney/) > [“The hautbois in the open air is heavenly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-burney/the-hautbois-in-the-open-air-is-heavenly/) [Fanny Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-burney/) > [To despise riches, may, indeed, be philosophic, but to dispense them worthily, must surely be more beneficial to mankind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-burney/to-despise-riches-may-indeed-be-philosophic-but-to-dispense-them/) [Fanny Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-burney/) > [Imagination took the reins, and reason, slow-paced, though sure-footed, was unequal to a race with so eccentric and flighty a companion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-burney/imagination-took-the-reins-and-reason-slow-paced-though-sure-footed/) [Fanny Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-burney/) > [the mind naturally accommodates itself, even to the most ridiculous improprieties, if they occur frequently.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-burney/the-mind-naturally-accommodates-itself-even-to-the-most-ridiculous/) [Fanny Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-burney/) > [“Young, animated, entirely off your guard, and thoughtless of consequences, Imagination took the reins; and Reason, slow-paced, though sure-footed, was unequal to the race…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-burney/young-animated-entirely-off-your-guard-and-thoughtless-of/) [Fanny Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-burney/) > [the right line of conduct is the same for both sexes, though the manner in which it is pursued, may somewhat vary, and be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-burney/the-right-line-of-conduct-is-the-same-for-both-sexes-though-the/) [Fanny Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-burney/) > [“Generosity without delicacy, like wit without judgment, generally gives as much pain as pleasure. The”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-burney/generosity-without-delicacy-like-wit-without-judgment-generally-gives/) [Fanny Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-burney/) > [Far from having taken any positive step, I have not yet even fommed any resolution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-burney/far-from-having-taken-any-positive-step-i-have-not-yet-even-fommed/) [Fanny Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-burney/) > [ I never pretend to be so superior a being as to be above having and indulging a hobby horse \[her journal writing\], and while… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-burney/i-never-pretend-to-be-so-superior-a-being-as-to-be-above-having-and/) [Fanny Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-burney/) > [ The laws of custom make our \[returning a visit\] necessary. O how I hate this vile custom which obliges us to make slaves of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-burney/the-laws-of-custom-make-our-returning-a-visit-necessary-o-how-i-hate/) [Fanny Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-burney/) > [“Mock you!" repeated he earnestly, "no I revere you! I esteem and I admire you above all human beings! you are the friend to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-burney/mock-you-repeated-he-earnestly-no-i-revere-you-i-esteem-and-i-admire/) [Fanny Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-burney/) > [“Their regard may be mutually useful, since much is to be expected from emulation where nothing is to be feared from envy. I”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-burney/their-regard-may-be-mutually-useful-since-much-is-to-be-expected-from/) [Fanny Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-burney/) > [Well of all things in the world, I don't suppose anything can be so dreadful as a public wedding--my stars!--I should never be able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-burney/well-of-all-things-in-the-world-i-don-t-suppose-anything-can-be-so/) [Fanny Burney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-burney/) [Explore all 91 Fanny Burney quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-burney/) ## More Apathy quotes > [If possible, I want to hear POLITICS defined without either sympathy or apathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/if-possible-i-want-to-hear-politics-defined-without-either-sympathy/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [One response was given by the innkeeper when Mary and Joseph wanted to find a room where the Child could be born. The innkeeper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/one-response-was-given-by-the-innkeeper-when-mary-and-joseph-wanted/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [Try to greet troubles with apathy. Hello's are never what they used to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-swellers/try-to-greet-troubles-with-apathy-hello-s-are-never-what-they-used-to/) [The Swellers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-swellers/) > [Apathy can be overcome by enthusiasm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-j-toynbee/apathy-can-be-overcome-by-enthusiasm/) [Arnold J. Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-j-toynbee/) > [Indifference must be a crime in us, to be ranked but one degree below treachery; for deserting the commonwealth is next to betraying it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-st-john-1st-viscount-bolingbroke/indifference-must-be-a-crime-in-us-to-be-ranked-but-one-degree-below/) [Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-st-john-1st-viscount-bolingbroke/) > [Insect politics, indifferent universe. Bang your head against the wall, but apathy is worse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/don-henley/insect-politics-indifferent-universe-bang-your-head-against-the-wall/) [Don Henley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/don-henley/) > [“And there's a freedom in apathy, a wild, dizzying liberation on which you can almost get drunk.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-shriver/and-there-s-a-freedom-in-apathy-a-wild-dizzying-liberation-on-which/) [Lionel Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-shriver/) > [For he who is not deaf, half a silence is enough.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-paul-malfatti/for-he-who-is-not-deaf-half-a-silence-is-enough/) [Jean-Paul Malfatti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-paul-malfatti/) > [“Just because a person is silent doesn’t mean there’s no message.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-sonnenberg/just-because-a-person-is-silent-doesn-t-mean-there-s-no-message/) [Frank Sonnenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-sonnenberg/) > [“If someone with a high level of authority were to ask me, "Suzy, how can we make people so incredibly stupid and apathetic, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/if-someone-with-a-high-level-of-authority-were-to-ask-me-suzy-how-can/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [“It takes more than one kick in the pants to reverse a lifetime of unplanned apathy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-neilan/it-takes-more-than-one-kick-in-the-pants-to-reverse-a-lifetime-of/) [Paul Neilan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-neilan/) > [“Use the apathy of your logic to solve your problems and then the passion of your soul to enjoy life after that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelos-michalopoulos/use-the-apathy-of-your-logic-to-solve-your-problems-and-then-the/) [Angelos Michalopoulos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angelos-michalopoulos/) > [“The fundamental basis by which the court’s decision might be made is, in itself, imperfect and subject to contradictions. There is very little consideration…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashim-shanker/the-fundamental-basis-by-which-the-court-s-decision-might-be-made-is/) [Ashim Shanker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashim-shanker/) > [“The young woman had read a good many novels, and she had seen a good many films; this education by newspaper, serial and film…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-renard/the-young-woman-had-read-a-good-many-novels-and-she-had-seen-a-good/) [Maurice Renard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-renard/) > [Mourn not the dead that in the cool earth lie... But rather mourn the apathetic throng - The cowed and the meek - Who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-chaplin/mourn-not-the-dead-that-in-the-cool-earth-lie-but-rather-mourn-the/) [Ralph Chaplin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-chaplin/) [Browse all 619 Apathy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/apathy/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To save the mind from preying inwardly upon itself, it must be encouraged to some outward pursuit. There is no other way to elude apathy, or escape discontent; none other to guard the temper from that quarrel with itself, which ultimately ends in quarreling with all mankind.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Fanny Burney" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-burney/to-save-the-mind-from-preying-inwardly-upon-itself-it-must-be/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Apathy" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-burney/to-save-the-mind-from-preying-inwardly-upon-itself-it-must-be/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1a/fanny-burney-7403_apathy_to-save-the-mind-from-preying-inwardly-u_887790.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1a/fanny-burney-7403_apathy_to-save-the-mind-from-preying-inwardly-u_887790.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c1a/fanny-burney-7403_apathy_to-save-the-mind-from-preying-inwardly-u_887790.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“To save the mind from preying inwardly upon itself, it must be encouraged to some outward pursuit. There is…” — Fanny Burney", "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": "Fanny Burney", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fanny-burney/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "To save the mind from preying...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-burney/to-save-the-mind-from-preying-inwardly-upon-itself-it-must-be/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fanny-burney/to-save-the-mind-from-preying-inwardly-upon-itself-it-must-be/#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 } } ] } ```