--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: At first people refuse to believe that a…" description: "\"At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can be done, then they see it can be done--then it i..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ed/frances-hodgson-burnett-988_believe_at-first-people-refuse-to-believe-that-a_778846.png" --- # At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing… ![“At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can be done, then they see it can be done--then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries ago.” quote by Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ed/frances-hodgson-burnett-988_believe_at-first-people-refuse-to-believe-that-a_778846.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ed/frances-hodgson-burnett-988_believe_at-first-people-refuse-to-believe-that-a_778846.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ed/frances-hodgson-burnett-988_believe_at-first-people-refuse-to-believe-that-a_778846.png) > “At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can be done, then they see it can be done--then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries ago.” [Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hodgson-burnett/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People initially doubt innovations, then hope, then see success, and finally wonder why it wasn’t done earlier. **In simple terms:** Doubt turns to hope, then success, then regret. Key Takeaway Embrace new ideas early. Themes innovation skepticism progress history Mood optimistic reflective Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - business development - scientific research - policy making - education reform Key Concepts change management social inertia technological adoption Questions to Reflect On - What new ideas are you dismissing? - How can you accelerate acceptance? A Different Perspective Resistance and fear can delay adoption despite clear benefits. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Knowledge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knowledge/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Wonder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wonder/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [“In the last Century more amazing things were found out than in any Century before. In this Century hundreds of things still more astounding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-hodgson-burnett/in-the-last-century-more-amazing-things-were-found-out-than-in-any/) Francis Hodgson Burnett > [People refuse to believe that I've never been to Starbucks or Disneyland.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-ruscha/people-refuse-to-believe-that-i-ve-never-been-to-starbucks-or/) [Edward Ruscha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-ruscha/) > [The devil has not vanished simply because people refuse to believe he exists, no more than God has.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-devil-has-not-vanished-simply-because-people-refuse-to-believe-he/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [As long as the decent people refuse to believe that morality must manifest itself in every sphere of human activity, including the political, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/as-long-as-the-decent-people-refuse-to-believe-that-morality-must/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [“since the order of the world is shaped by death, mightn't it be better for God if we refuse to believe in Him and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-camus/since-the-order-of-the-world-is-shaped-by-death-mightn-t-it-be-better/) [Albert Camus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-camus/) > [“Don't you find that strange? I can't believe I never found it strange before. It's like your name, how you don't notice it for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/don-t-you-find-that-strange-i-can-t-believe-i-never-found-it-strange/) [Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/) > [ Believe then, if you please, that I can do strange things. \[Act 5, Scene 2\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/believe-then-if-you-please-that-i-can-do-strange-things-act-5-scene-2/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [But I refuse to believe that I am a better actor than myself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-carrey/but-i-refuse-to-believe-that-i-am-a-better-actor-than-myself/) [Jim Carrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-carrey/) > [“And one day we will die and our ashes will fly from the aeroplane over the sea, but for now we are young, let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-mangum/and-one-day-we-will-die-and-our-ashes-will-fly-from-the-aeroplane-2/) [Jeff Mangum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-mangum/) > [One great mistake made by intelligent people is to refuse to believe that the world is as stupid as it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-great-mistake-made-by-intelligent-people-is-to-refuse-to-believe/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Believe then, if you please, that I can do strange things.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/believe-then-if-you-please-that-i-can-do-strange-things/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [You know, it's a sad and unfortunate state of affairs that you have to live in a world where eight-year-olds refuse to believe in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitl-n-r-kiernan/you-know-it-s-a-sad-and-unfortunate-state-of-affairs-that-you-have-to/) [Caitlín R. Kiernan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitl-n-r-kiernan/) > [He says you don't often find angels in places like happy homes and rich people's backyard parties. He says that angels flock to places…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carol-plum-ucci/he-says-you-don-t-often-find-angels-in-places-like-happy-homes-and/) [Carol Plum-Ucci](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carol-plum-ucci/) > [I refuse to believe that clubbing is how people are supposed to meet to establish relationships on a level for beyond what we consider…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-richardson/i-refuse-to-believe-that-clubbing-is-how-people-are-supposed-to-meet/) [Jon Richardson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-richardson/) > [“Though they have not the capacity to reply, I refuse to believe that our pets have no comprehension”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-masello/though-they-have-not-the-capacity-to-reply-i-refuse-to-believe-that/) [Robert Masello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-masello/) ## More by Frances Hodgson Burnett > [When you will not fly into a passion people know you are stronger than they are, because you are strong enough to hold in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hodgson-burnett/when-you-will-not-fly-into-a-passion-people-know-you-are-stronger/) [Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hodgson-burnett/) > [“What does it say?" asked my lord. "It says, 'Good-night, God keep you all the night!'--just what she used to say when we were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hodgson-burnett/what-does-it-say-asked-my-lord-it-says-good-night-god-keep-you-all/) [Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hodgson-burnett/) > [Somehow, something always happens just before things get to the very worst. It is as if Magic did it. 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I'm going to see everything grow here. I'm going to grow here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hodgson-burnett/i-ve-seen-the-spring-now-and-i-m-going-to-see-the-summer-i-m-going-to/) [Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hodgson-burnett/) > [“If she had cried and sobbed and seemed frightened, Miss Minchin might almost have had more patience with her. She was a woman who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hodgson-burnett/if-she-had-cried-and-sobbed-and-seemed-frightened-miss-minchin-might/) [Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hodgson-burnett/) > [“I was thinking," she said. "Beg my pardon immediately," said Miss Minchin. "I will beg your pardon for laughing, if it was rude," said…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hodgson-burnett/i-was-thinking-she-said-beg-my-pardon-immediately-said-miss-minchin-i/) [Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hodgson-burnett/) > [“She said that perhaps it was not so easy to be very rich; that if any one had so many things always, one might…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hodgson-burnett/she-said-that-perhaps-it-was-not-so-easy-to-be-very-rich-that-if-any/) [Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hodgson-burnett/) > [I am sure there is Magic in everything, only we have not sense enough to get hold of it and make it do things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hodgson-burnett/i-am-sure-there-is-magic-in-everything-only-we-have-not-sense-enough/) [Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hodgson-burnett/) > [“You don't know that you are saying these things to a princess, and that if I chose I could wave my hand and order…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hodgson-burnett/you-don-t-know-that-you-are-saying-these-things-to-a-princess-and/) [Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hodgson-burnett/) > [“Well, it is. One of her 'pretends' is that she is a princess. She plays it all the time—even in school. She says it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hodgson-burnett/well-it-is-one-of-her-pretends-is-that-she-is-a-princess-she-plays-it/) [Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hodgson-burnett/) > [“They know you are stronger than they are, because you are strong enough to hold in your rage and they are not, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hodgson-burnett/they-know-you-are-stronger-than-they-are-because-you-are-strong/) [Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hodgson-burnett/) > [“Tom's Cabin, and she spent many hours acting out”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hodgson-burnett/tom-s-cabin-and-she-spent-many-hours-acting-out/) [Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hodgson-burnett/) > [... justice is mercy's highest self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hodgson-burnett/justice-is-mercy-s-highest-self/) [Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hodgson-burnett/) [Explore all 296 Frances Hodgson Burnett quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hodgson-burnett/) ## More Believe quotes > [I actually think acting is a form of self-hypnosis. 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Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [I understand that it's the music that keeps me alive... That's my lifeblood. And to give that up for, like, the TV, the cars,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-springsteen/i-understand-that-it-s-the-music-that-keeps-me-alive-that-s-my/) [Bruce Springsteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-springsteen/) > [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/) [Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/) > [“What I have a problem with is not so much religion or god, but faith. When you say you believe something in your heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/penn-jillette/what-i-have-a-problem-with-is-not-so-much-religion-or-god-but-faith/) [Penn Jillette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/penn-jillette/) > [Bush reiterated his stand to conservatives opposing his decision on stem cell research. He said today he believes life begins at conception and ends…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-leno/bush-reiterated-his-stand-to-conservatives-opposing-his-decision-on/) [Jay Leno](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-leno/) > [Never underestimate the power of the human mind to believe what it wants to believe, no matter the conflicting evidence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-herbert/never-underestimate-the-power-of-the-human-mind-to-believe-what-it/) [Brian Herbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-herbert/) > [To believe in love, to be ready to give up anything for it, to be willing to risk your life for it, is the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/to-believe-in-love-to-be-ready-to-give-up-anything-for-it-to-be/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [That's why I don't generally talk about endorsements because I don't believe we have to tell people who to vote for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-iii/that-s-why-i-don-t-generally-talk-about-endorsements-because-i-don-t/) [Martin Luther King III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-iii/) > [Mankind have been slow to believe that order reigns in the universe-that the world is a cosmos and a chaos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-a-garfield/mankind-have-been-slow-to-believe-that-order-reigns-in-the-universe/) [James A. Garfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-a-garfield/) > [We instantly believe everything we think. Isn't that insane? It's good for us to explore the depravity of our minds, so we know we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/krishna-das/we-instantly-believe-everything-we-think-isn-t-that-insane-it-s-good/) [Krishna Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/krishna-das/) Browse all 47,704 Believe quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can be done, then they see it can be done--then it is done and all the world wonders why it was not done centuries ago.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Frances Hodgson Burnett" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hodgson-burnett/at-first-people-refuse-to-believe-that-a-strange-new-thing-can-be/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Believe" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hodgson-burnett/at-first-people-refuse-to-believe-that-a-strange-new-thing-can-be/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ed/frances-hodgson-burnett-988_believe_at-first-people-refuse-to-believe-that-a_778846.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ed/frances-hodgson-burnett-988_believe_at-first-people-refuse-to-believe-that-a_778846.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ed/frances-hodgson-burnett-988_believe_at-first-people-refuse-to-believe-that-a_778846.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“At first people refuse to believe that a strange new thing can be done, then they begin to hope it can be…” — Frances Hodgson Burnett", "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": "Frances Hodgson Burnett", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hodgson-burnett/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "At first people refuse to believe...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hodgson-burnett/at-first-people-refuse-to-believe-that-a-strange-new-thing-can-be/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hodgson-burnett/at-first-people-refuse-to-believe-that-a-strange-new-thing-can-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 } } ] } ```