--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The place to begin the task of…" description: "\"The place to begin the task of eliminating evil is within yourself.\" — Gary Zukav" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/274/gary-zukav-714_begin_the-place-to-begin-the-task-of-eliminati_561295.png" --- # The place to begin the task of eliminating evil is within… ![“The place to begin the task of eliminating evil is within yourself.” quote by Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/274/gary-zukav-714_begin_the-place-to-begin-the-task-of-eliminati_561295.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/274/gary-zukav-714_begin_the-place-to-begin-the-task-of-eliminati_561295.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/274/gary-zukav-714_begin_the-place-to-begin-the-task-of-eliminati_561295.png) > “The place to begin the task of eliminating evil is within yourself.” [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Personal transformation is the starting point for addressing broader moral issues. **In simple terms:** Change yourself to fight evil. Key Takeaway Begin inner work before tackling external problems. Themes self-improvement ethics responsibility Mood introspective determined Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - conflict resolution - leadership - community building - personal therapy Key Concepts moral philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - What inner habits hinder your moral growth? - How can personal change influence societal change? A Different Perspective Inner change alone may not affect systemic evil. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Begin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/begin/) [Eliminating](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eliminating/) [Eliminating Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eliminating-evil-4484823/) [Evil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/evil/) [Godly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/godly/) [Place Begin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/place-begin-768772/) [Tasks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tasks/) ## Related quotes > [There's no gray area in law enforcement. Evil exists in the world and it must be dealt with. And those on the side of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-bratt/there-s-no-gray-area-in-law-enforcement-evil-exists-in-the-world-and/) [Benjamin Bratt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-bratt/) > [A barn with cattle and horses is the place to begin Christmas; after all, that's where the original event happened, and that same smell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-engle/a-barn-with-cattle-and-horses-is-the-place-to-begin-christmas-after/) [Paul Engle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-engle/) > [“There is no easy or quick plan to happiness, there is no single spot where you can start. Where you are right now is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/there-is-no-easy-or-quick-plan-to-happiness-there-is-no-single-spot/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [It's the place to begin, always -- to return to home, literally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wole-soyinka/it-s-the-place-to-begin-always-to-return-to-home-literally/) [Wole Soyinka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wole-soyinka/) > [“Peacefulness should be the place we begin rather than the place we try to achieve.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-jesseph/peacefulness-should-be-the-place-we-begin-rather-than-the-place-we/) [Jerry Jesseph](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-jesseph/) > [“To start your quest you need somewhere to begin, and the best place to begin is at the start. - Horus, King of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/s-w-lothian/to-start-your-quest-you-need-somewhere-to-begin-and-the-best-place-to/) [S.W. Lothian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/s-w-lothian/) > [The best place to begin is always with gratitude.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-laporte/the-best-place-to-begin-is-always-with-gratitude/) [Danielle LaPorte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-laporte/) > [Sharing a bit of yourself, opening a window into your own world, is a good place to begin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-greenwald/sharing-a-bit-of-yourself-opening-a-window-into-your-own-world-is-a/) [Jeff Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-greenwald/) > [Food is the place where you begin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vandana-shiva/food-is-the-place-where-you-begin/) [Vandana Shiva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vandana-shiva/) > [The perfect place to begin is exactly where you are right now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dieter-f-uchtdorf/the-perfect-place-to-begin-is-exactly-where-you-are-right-now/) [Dieter F. Uchtdorf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dieter-f-uchtdorf/) > [Evil needs to be understood for what it is: the dynamic of the absence of Light. It is not something that one should prepare…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/evil-needs-to-be-understood-for-what-it-is-the-dynamic-of-the-absence/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Just begin and the mind grows heated; continue, and the task will be completed!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/just-begin-and-the-mind-grows-heated-continue-and-the-task-will-be/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Before it incarnates, each soul enters into a sacred contract with the Universe to accomplish certain things. It enters into this commitment in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/before-it-incarnates-each-soul-enters-into-a-sacred-contract-with-the/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Listing the polar bear under the Endangered Species Act could harm bear conservation efforts by eliminating revenues from the carefully-regulated sport hunting of polar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-ridenour/listing-the-polar-bear-under-the-endangered-species-act-could-harm/) [Amy Ridenour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-ridenour/) > [What sets worlds in motion is the interplay of differences, their attractions and repulsions. Life is plurality, death is uniformity. By suppressing differences and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/octavio-paz/what-sets-worlds-in-motion-is-the-interplay-of-differences-their/) [Octavio Paz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/octavio-paz/) ## More by Gary Zukav > [If you are not conscious of all of the different parts of yourself, the part of yourself that is the strongest will win out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/if-you-are-not-conscious-of-all-of-the-different-parts-of-yourself/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [When fear ceases to scare you, it cannot stay.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/when-fear-ceases-to-scare-you-it-cannot-stay/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Emotions are classes in the Earth school. Some classes are about fear, and some are about love. The Universe is your tutor, and your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/emotions-are-classes-in-the-earth-school-some-classes-are-about-fear/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Reverence is an attitude of honoring life. Reverence automatically brings forth patience. Reverence permits non-judgemental justice. Reverence is a perception of the soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/reverence-is-an-attitude-of-honoring-life-reverence-automatically/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Being harmless means being so strong, so empowered, that the idea of showing power through harm is not even a part of your consciousness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/being-harmless-means-being-so-strong-so-empowered-that-the-idea-of/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [I see the potential for a new world being born in front of me and all around me, and I feel the only way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/i-see-the-potential-for-a-new-world-being-born-in-front-of-me-and-all/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [The challenge to each human is creation. Will you create with reverence, or with neglect?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/the-challenge-to-each-human-is-creation-will-you-create-with/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [The coming and going of the seasons give us more than the springtimes, summers, autumns, and winters of our lives. It reflects the coming…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/the-coming-and-going-of-the-seasons-give-us-more-than-the-springtimes/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Spiritual partnership is the partnership between equals for the purpose of spiritual growth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/spiritual-partnership-is-the-partnership-between-equals-for-the/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [The requirements for our evolution have changed. Survival is no longer sufficient. Our evolution now requires us to develop spiritually-to become emotionally aware and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/the-requirements-for-our-evolution-have-changed-survival-is-no-longer/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Please... tell me who you are and what you want. And if you think those are simple questions, keep in mind that most people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/please-tell-me-who-you-are-and-what-you-want-and-if-you-think-those/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [The number of teachers and guides that a soul has depends upon what it seeks to accomplish and its level of awareness. Souls that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/the-number-of-teachers-and-guides-that-a-soul-has-depends-upon-what/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [“Pot do duše je skozi srce.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/pot-do-du-e-je-skozi-srce/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Its not possible to do the wrong thing. You do what you do and you experience the consequences of what you do. If you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/its-not-possible-to-do-the-wrong-thing-you-do-what-you-do-and-you/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) > [Perfectionism is a perpetual flight into an illusory future that cannot be attained.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/perfectionism-is-a-perpetual-flight-into-an-illusory-future-that/) [Gary Zukav](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) [Explore all 365 Gary Zukav quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/) ## More Begin quotes > [If you wanted to put the world to rights, who should you begin with: yourself or others?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/if-you-wanted-to-put-the-world-to-rights-who-should-you-begin-with/) [Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/) > [“Let the motherfucking games begin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-mchugh/let-the-motherfucking-games-begin/) [Gail McHugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-mchugh/) > [“Begin as you mean to go on, and go on as you began, and let the Lord be all in all to you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-h-spurgeon/begin-as-you-mean-to-go-on-and-go-on-as-you-began-and-let-the-lord-be/) [Charles H. Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-h-spurgeon/) > [The world will only begin to have faith in you when you do too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/the-world-will-only-begin-to-have-faith-in-you-when-you-do-too/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [The idea with a collection is sort of to begin with a kind of bang.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-christgau/the-idea-with-a-collection-is-sort-of-to-begin-with-a-kind-of-bang/) [Robert Christgau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-christgau/) > [“Humble yourself before the Lord and he will lift you high. People who are gentle, humble and able always have a great ending no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/humble-yourself-before-the-lord-and-he-will-lift-you-high-people-who/) [israelmore ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [Just begin and the mind grows heated; continue, and the task will be completed!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/just-begin-and-the-mind-grows-heated-continue-and-the-task-will-be/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [“Quitters don’t gain what they have started working on; waiters don’t start what they could have gained. What is common there is failure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/quitters-don-t-gain-what-they-have-started-working-on-waiters-don-t/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [I don't know the future. I didn't come here to tell you how this is going to end. I came here to tell you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-akin/i-don-t-know-the-future-i-didn-t-come-here-to-tell-you-how-this-is/) [Todd Akin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-akin/) > [The public should begin to understand that there's nothing that comes out of this campaign, or this Obama White House, that they can believe.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sununu/the-public-should-begin-to-understand-that-there-s-nothing-that-comes/) [John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/) > [“A mother is always the beginning. She is how things begin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/a-mother-is-always-the-beginning-she-is-how-things-begin/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [I look forward to the day that a lot of the folks that you all talk about and cover on this network will begin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-look-forward-to-the-day-that-a-lot-of-the-folks-that-you-all-talk/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“...I'd be interested in any tips you have for somebody starting out.” “Uh-huh,” I said, looking out the window. I decided, as we drove…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-jenkins-reid/i-d-be-interested-in-any-tips-you-have-for-somebody-starting-out-uh/) [Taylor Jenkins Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-jenkins-reid/) > [I'm Irish and always will be, but America has taught me so much. Maybe it's here in the U.S. that we find a healing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fionnula-flanagan/i-m-irish-and-always-will-be-but-america-has-taught-me-so-much-maybe/) [Fionnula Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fionnula-flanagan/) > [Begin where you are. Read every word, every phrase, every paragraph of the mind, as it operates through thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/begin-where-you-are-read-every-word-every-phrase-every-paragraph-of/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) [Browse all 1,199 Begin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/begin/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The place to begin the task of eliminating evil is within yourself.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gary Zukav" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/the-place-to-begin-the-task-of-eliminating-evil-is-within-yourself/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Begin" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/the-place-to-begin-the-task-of-eliminating-evil-is-within-yourself/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/274/gary-zukav-714_begin_the-place-to-begin-the-task-of-eliminati_561295.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/274/gary-zukav-714_begin_the-place-to-begin-the-task-of-eliminati_561295.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/274/gary-zukav-714_begin_the-place-to-begin-the-task-of-eliminati_561295.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The place to begin the task of eliminating evil is within yourself.” — Gary Zukav", "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": "Gary Zukav", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-zukav/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The place to begin the task...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/the-place-to-begin-the-task-of-eliminating-evil-is-within-yourself/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-zukav/the-place-to-begin-the-task-of-eliminating-evil-is-within-yourself/#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 } } ] } ```