New things Quote by Frances Hodgson Burnett
““One of the new things people began to find out in the last century was that thoughts—just mere thoughts—are as powerful as electric batteries—as good for one as sunlight is, or as bad for one as poison. To let a sad thought or a bad one get into your mind is as dangerous as letting a scarlet fever germ get into your body. If you let it stay there after it has got in you may never get over it as long as you live. ...Much more surprising things can happen to anyone who, when a disagreeable or discouraged thought comes into his mind, just has the sense to remember in time and push it out by putting in an agreeable, determinedly courageous one. Two things cannot be in one place.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, 1911
Thoughts have energy comparable to physical forces; negative thoughts can harm like disease, while positive, courageous thoughts can displace them.
In simple terms: Thoughts act like power sources; bad thoughts are harmful, good thoughts can replace them.
Key Takeaway
Replace harmful thoughts with determined, positive ones.
Themes
mental health
mindset
resilience
Mood
reflective
motivational
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal meditation
- stress management
- therapy sessions
- daily affirmations
Key Concepts
psychology
energy metaphor
cognitive control
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you train yourself to notice and replace negative thoughts?
- What strategies help maintain courageous thinking?
A Different Perspective
Positive thoughts may be hard to sustain without practice.
![“It is by acts (actions) and not by ideas (mere thoughts) that people [really] live.” quote by Harry Emerson Fosdick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ee5/harry-emerson-fosdick-3672_action_it-is-by-acts-actions-and-not-by-ideas-m_655228.jpg)
