--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Power is the ability to translate, that…" description: "\"Power is the ability to translate, that is, to shift from one level of attention to another.\" — Frederick Lenz" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d1/frederick-lenz-8_ability_power-is-the-ability-to-translate-that-i_1051873.jpg" --- # Power is the ability to translate, that is, to shift from… ![“Power is the ability to translate, that is, to shift from one level of attention to another.” quote by Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d1/frederick-lenz-8_ability_power-is-the-ability-to-translate-that-i_1051873.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d1/frederick-lenz-8_ability_power-is-the-ability-to-translate-that-i_1051873.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d1/frederick-lenz-8_ability_power-is-the-ability-to-translate-that-i_1051873.jpg) > “Power is the ability to translate, that is, to shift from one level of attention to another.” [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Power lies in shifting focus, moving attention across levels to create change. **In simple terms:** Changing focus creates power. Key Takeaway Practice mindful attention shifts. Themes mindfulness attention power growth Mood calm focused Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - meditation - goal setting - conflict resolution - creative work - leadership Key Concepts consciousness psychology personal development Questions to Reflect On - What level of attention are you operating at? - How can you redirect focus for better outcomes? A Different Perspective Attention can be hijacked by distractions. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Ability Translate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability-translate-2520830/) [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Level Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/level-attention-1284449/) [Levels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/levels/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Power Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power-ability-291117/) [Translate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/translate/) [Translate Shift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/translate-shift-2520831/) ## Related quotes > [Make lists. Write down the things that give you power. Write down the things that take your power away also. Make lists of people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/make-lists-write-down-the-things-that-give-you-power-write-down-the/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [The world is wonderful. It is beautiful when you are in a correct level of attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/the-world-is-wonderful-it-is-beautiful-when-you-are-in-a-correct/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I would suggest your awareness is your karma. How you feel generates your level of attention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/i-would-suggest-your-awareness-is-your-karma-how-you-feel-generates/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Personal power is the ability to enter into different planes of reality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/personal-power-is-the-ability-to-enter-into-different-planes-of/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [You can measure your power in your ability to stop thought. The longer you can stop thought, the more powerful you are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/you-can-measure-your-power-in-your-ability-to-stop-thought-the-longer/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Personal power is the ability to go into other planes, to cross that threshold from one dimension to another. Why do that? Because it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/personal-power-is-the-ability-to-go-into-other-planes-to-cross-that/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Misreading is a big part of reading, the way in which the level of attention you're paying can lead to some interesting residue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-evenson/misreading-is-a-big-part-of-reading-the-way-in-which-the-level-of/) [Brian Evenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-evenson/) > [ I think it must be hard being David \[Tennant\]. I get a certain level of attention but - I've seen it in action -… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billie-piper/i-think-it-must-be-hard-being-david-tennant-i-get-a-certain-level-of/) [Billie Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billie-piper/) > [“On one level my attention was intently focused on her voice and story. On another level I - it was if my mind was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/on-one-level-my-attention-was-intently-focused-on-her-voice-and-story/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [Real power has to do with one's ability to influence the hearts and minds of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/real-power-has-to-do-with-one-s-ability-to-influence-the-hearts-and/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Power is the ability to get things done](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosabeth-moss-kanter/power-is-the-ability-to-get-things-done/) [Rosabeth Moss Kanter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosabeth-moss-kanter/) > [Power is the ability not to have to please.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-janeway/power-is-the-ability-not-to-have-to-please/) [Elizabeth Janeway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-janeway/) > [“Psychic power is the ability to download information directly from the Universe.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lada-ray/psychic-power-is-the-ability-to-download-information-directly-from/) [Lada Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lada-ray/) > [Power is the ability to define reality and to have other people respond to your definition as if it were their own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-wade-noble/power-is-the-ability-to-define-reality-and-to-have-other-people/) [Dr Wade Noble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-wade-noble/) > [“the true test of awesome power is the ability not to use it,”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-l-chalker/the-true-test-of-awesome-power-is-the-ability-not-to-use-it/) [Jack L. Chalker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-l-chalker/) ## More by Frederick Lenz > [There are places that are very draining. There are places where there is another dimensional crossover but to a dimension that is not powerful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/there-are-places-that-are-very-draining-there-are-places-where-there/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [You can draw power from everything in your life. In order to do that, everything has to be set up in a proper way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/you-can-draw-power-from-everything-in-your-life-in-order-to-do-that/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Everyone will admire you when you do well. What a horrible thing to do to someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/everyone-will-admire-you-when-you-do-well-what-a-horrible-thing-to-do/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Nirvana is a word that means enlightenment, being beyond the illusion of birth and death, the illusion of pain, the illusion of love, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/nirvana-is-a-word-that-means-enlightenment-being-beyond-the-illusion/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I think the most miraculous thing is learning. I get out of the way and let the students learn. Then you get to watch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/i-think-the-most-miraculous-thing-is-learning-i-get-out-of-the-way/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [If you choose to draw from the inner well of free will, then you can make choices that are outside your current karmic patterns.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/if-you-choose-to-draw-from-the-inner-well-of-free-will-then-you-can/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [A human being can only absorb a small amount of the mystical kundalini, you can be exposed again and again to it, but it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/a-human-being-can-only-absorb-a-small-amount-of-the-mystical/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Enlightened people live in very charged states of attention, with a tremendous power circuiting through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/enlightened-people-live-in-very-charged-states-of-attention-with-a/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Only alone can you go into eternity. Only alone can you feel the transcendental light. It is not a shared experience because if it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/only-alone-can-you-go-into-eternity-only-alone-can-you-feel-the/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [The sound man, immune as to a sacrifice of straw dogs, faces the passing human generations.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/the-sound-man-immune-as-to-a-sacrifice-of-straw-dogs-faces-the/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Karma means changing planes of reality or changing fields of attention. There will be perhaps a resulting physical action stemming from the change of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/karma-means-changing-planes-of-reality-or-changing-fields-of/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [You and I are both life. There's just the experience of every moment. We like to call them moments. There isn't really such a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/you-and-i-are-both-life-there-s-just-the-experience-of-every-moment/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Why waste your time being around people who drag you down? You don't live forever, at least in this life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/why-waste-your-time-being-around-people-who-drag-you-down-you-don-t/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Everybody here is so caught up in the game of life they don't see death. They don't see beyond their deaths. They are on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/everybody-here-is-so-caught-up-in-the-game-of-life-they-don-t-see/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) [Explore all 4,399 Frederick Lenz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Power is the ability to translate, that is, to shift from one level of attention to another.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Frederick Lenz" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/power-is-the-ability-to-translate-that-is-to-shift-from-one-level-of/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ability" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/power-is-the-ability-to-translate-that-is-to-shift-from-one-level-of/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d1/frederick-lenz-8_ability_power-is-the-ability-to-translate-that-i_1051873.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d1/frederick-lenz-8_ability_power-is-the-ability-to-translate-that-i_1051873.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3d1/frederick-lenz-8_ability_power-is-the-ability-to-translate-that-i_1051873.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Power is the ability to translate, that is, to shift from one level of attention to another.” — Frederick Lenz", "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": "Frederick Lenz", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Power is the ability to translate,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/power-is-the-ability-to-translate-that-is-to-shift-from-one-level-of/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/power-is-the-ability-to-translate-that-is-to-shift-from-one-level-of/#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 } } ] } ```