--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: They say that instead of cursing the…" description: "\"They say that instead of cursing the darkness, one should light a candle. Nothing is mentioned, though, about cursing a lack of candles.\" — George Carlin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dff/george-carlin-155_candle_they-say-that-instead-of-cursing-the-dar_1539090.jpg" --- # They say that instead of cursing the darkness, one should… ![“They say that instead of cursing the darkness, one should light a candle. Nothing is mentioned, though, about cursing a lack of candles.” quote by George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dff/george-carlin-155_candle_they-say-that-instead-of-cursing-the-dar_1539090.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dff/george-carlin-155_candle_they-say-that-instead-of-cursing-the-dar_1539090.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dff/george-carlin-155_candle_they-say-that-instead-of-cursing-the-dar_1539090.jpg) > “They say that instead of cursing the darkness, one should light a candle. Nothing is mentioned, though, about cursing a lack of candles.” [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Encourages proactive positivity over passive complaint, suggesting small actions can counter darkness. **In simple terms:** Take action instead of just complaining. Key Takeaway Make a small positive change. Themes positivity action mindset Mood hopeful determined Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - personal setbacks - social injustice - mental health - environmental issues Key Concepts Stoicism agency optimism Questions to Reflect On - What small act can you do today? - How does focusing on solutions change your outlook? A Different Perspective Small actions may seem insignificant against larger problems. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Candle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candle/) [Candle Mentioned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candle-mentioned-5727649/) [Cursing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cursing/) [Cursing Darkness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cursing-darkness-1248362/) [Cursing Lack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cursing-lack-5727650/) [Darkness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness/) [Lack Candles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lack-candles-5727648/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Light Candle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light-candle/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) ## Related quotes > [Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle for where we're going. There's something ahead worth fighting for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-young/instead-of-cursing-the-darkness-light-a-candle-for-where-we-re-going/) [Neil Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-young/) > [Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-cursing-the-darkness-light-a-candle/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“ it is about trying to light a candle instead of cursing the darkness, and loving your life even if it has slipped away”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabel-gillies/it-is-about-trying-to-light-a-candle-instead-of-cursing-the-darkness/) [Isabel Gillies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabel-gillies/) > [“Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle. Darkness befalls us all. There is simply no escaping that truth but rather than dwell in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-versey/instead-of-cursing-the-darkness-light-a-candle-darkness-befalls-us/) [Jason Versey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-versey/) > [“Light a candle instead of cursing the darkness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-roosevelt/light-a-candle-instead-of-cursing-the-darkness/) [Eleanor Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-roosevelt/) > [Four or five years ago I decided to stop cursing the darkness - I had been complaining about movies and their content for years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-anschutz/four-or-five-years-ago-i-decided-to-stop-cursing-the-darkness-i-had/) [Philip Anschutz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-anschutz/) > [Hope lights a candle instead of cursing the darkness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-keller/hope-lights-a-candle-instead-of-cursing-the-darkness/) [James Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-keller/) > [“A wise man lights a candle while fools are busy cursing the darkness”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-czerepak/a-wise-man-lights-a-candle-while-fools-are-busy-cursing-the-darkness/) [Seth Czerepak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-czerepak/) > [Instead of cursing the darkness, try to fix the lamp.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-cursing-the-darkness-try-to-fix-the-lamp/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Instead of cursing the darkness, try fixing the lamp.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-cursing-the-darkness-try-fixing-the-lamp/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Learn to light a candle in the darkest moments of someone’s life. Be the light that helps others see; it is what gives life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-t-bennett/learn-to-light-a-candle-in-the-darkest-moments-of-someone-s-life-be/) [Roy T. 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I'll you, if you will me invite To dance within that gentle light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-gordon/on-hanukkah-the-first-dark-night-light-yourself-a-candle-bright-i-ll/) [Nick Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-gordon/) ## More by George Carlin > [I never go anywhere or do anything that transports me outside the boundaries of my mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/i-never-go-anywhere-or-do-anything-that-transports-me-outside-the/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [With the proper training, I could've been an evil genius.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/with-the-proper-training-i-could-ve-been-an-evil-genius/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [Comedy, although it is not one of the fine arts - it's a vulgar art, it's one of the people's arts, it's the spoken…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/comedy-although-it-is-not-one-of-the-fine-arts-it-s-a-vulgar-art-it-s/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [“I'm completely in favor of the separation of Church and State. ... These two institutions screw us up enough on their own, so both…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/i-m-completely-in-favor-of-the-separation-of-church-and-state-these/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [“TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY. Not true. Today is another day. We have no idea what tomorrow is going to be. It might turn out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/tomorrow-is-another-day-not-true-today-is-another-day-we-have-no-idea/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [I was a loner as a child. I had an imaginary friend - I didn't bother with him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/i-was-a-loner-as-a-child-i-had-an-imaginary-friend-i-didn-t-bother/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [Kilometers are shorter than miles. Save gas, take your next trip in kilometers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/kilometers-are-shorter-than-miles-save-gas-take-your-next-trip-in/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [“If you guys want to get a MOM tattoo and save a little money, just get two letters done. Get about a one-inch capital…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/if-you-guys-want-to-get-a-mom-tattoo-and-save-a-little-money-just-get/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [You've built up so much speed that you HIT 70! After that it's a day-by-day thing; you HIT Wednesday!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/you-ve-built-up-so-much-speed-that-you-hit-70-after-that-it-s-a-day/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [It ended suddenly for Brenda, more slowly for me. My runs began getting shorter and less pleasurable. I'd feel bad after only one day,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/it-ended-suddenly-for-brenda-more-slowly-for-me-my-runs-began-getting/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [Is there another word for synonym?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/is-there-another-word-for-synonym/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [The whole idea of the pursuit of goods and possessions has completely corrupted the human experience, along with religion, which I think limits the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/the-whole-idea-of-the-pursuit-of-goods-and-possessions-has-completely/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [These days many politicians are demanding change. Just like homeless people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/these-days-many-politicians-are-demanding-change-just-like-homeless/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [You know the good part about all those executions in Texas? Fewer Texans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/you-know-the-good-part-about-all-those-executions-in-texas-fewer/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [What was the best thing before sliced bread?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/what-was-the-best-thing-before-sliced-bread/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) [Explore all 1,098 George Carlin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) ## More Candle quotes > [I'm a candle flame that sways in currents of air you can't see. You need to be the one who steadies me to burn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadine-gordimer/i-m-a-candle-flame-that-sways-in-currents-of-air-you-can-t-see-you/) [Nadine Gordimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadine-gordimer/) > [I still get nervous about singing. I drink tea with honey and lemon before every concert. And I need to have scented candles in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-j-blige/i-still-get-nervous-about-singing-i-drink-tea-with-honey-and-lemon/) [Mary J. Blige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-j-blige/) > [The dream of coming back is becoming a reality. A lot of the uncertainty about the future has been cleared up. A lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tagliabue/the-dream-of-coming-back-is-becoming-a-reality-a-lot-of-the/) [Paul Tagliabue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tagliabue/) > [Every wife ought to answer for her man. If the husband be engaged in a seditious club, or drinks mysterious healths, or be frugal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/every-wife-ought-to-answer-for-her-man-if-the-husband-be-engaged-in-a/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Miracles are like candles lit up until the sun rises, and then blown out. Therefore, I am amused when I hear sects and churches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/miracles-are-like-candles-lit-up-until-the-sun-rises-and-then-blown/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [On Hanukkah, the first dark night, Light yourself a candle bright. I'll you, if you will me invite To dance within that gentle light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-gordon/on-hanukkah-the-first-dark-night-light-yourself-a-candle-bright-i-ll/) [Nick Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-gordon/) > [I try to be the clown and court jester and make people laugh. At the same time, you have people in the hospital who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-simmons/i-try-to-be-the-clown-and-court-jester-and-make-people-laugh-at-the/) [Richard Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-simmons/) > [Only by the candle, held in the skeleton hand of Poverty, can man read his own dark heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/only-by-the-candle-held-in-the-skeleton-hand-of-poverty-can-man-read/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [Traveling is all very well if you can get home at night. I would be willing to go around the world if I came…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gladys-taber/traveling-is-all-very-well-if-you-can-get-home-at-night-i-would-be/) [Gladys Taber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gladys-taber/) > [Go not to the temple to put flowers upon the feet of God, first fill your own house with the fragrance of love. Go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/go-not-to-the-temple-to-put-flowers-upon-the-feet-of-god-first-fill/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [“Two ways to be a light for all, is to be a flaming candle or the mirror that reflects it”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-wharton/two-ways-to-be-a-light-for-all-is-to-be-a-flaming-candle-or-the/) [Edith Wharton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-wharton/) > [“Some will see your flame and want to blow it out...others will approach with a candle...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenita-vangellis/some-will-see-your-flame-and-want-to-blow-it-out-others-will-approach/) [Lenita Vangellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenita-vangellis/) > [So here I sit in the early candle-light of old age-I and my book-casting backward glances over out travel'd road.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-whitman/so-here-i-sit-in-the-early-candle-light-of-old-age-i-and-my-book/) [Walt Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-whitman/) > [I was eating beans by candle light for a decade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-andre/i-was-eating-beans-by-candle-light-for-a-decade/) [Eric Andre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-andre/) > [The stars begin to fade like guttering candles and are snuffed out one by one. Out in the depths of space the great celestial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-robert-harrison/the-stars-begin-to-fade-like-guttering-candles-and-are-snuffed-out/) [Edward Robert Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-robert-harrison/) [Browse all 1,033 Candle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candle/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "They say that instead of cursing the darkness, one should light a candle. 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