--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Certainly those determining acts of her…" description: "\"“Certainly those determining acts of her life were not ideally beautiful. They were the mixed result of young and noble impulse struggling amidst the c..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f7/george-eliot-84_life_certainly-those-determining-acts-of-her_717287.jpg" --- # Certainly those determining acts of her life were not… ![“Certainly those determining acts of her life were not ideally beautiful. They were the mixed result of young and noble impulse struggling amidst the conditions of an imperfect social state, in which great feelings will often take the aspect of error, and great faith the aspect of illusion. For…” quote by George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f7/george-eliot-84_life_certainly-those-determining-acts-of-her_717287.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f7/george-eliot-84_life_certainly-those-determining-acts-of-her_717287.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0f7/george-eliot-84_life_certainly-those-determining-acts-of-her_717287.jpg) > ““Certainly those determining acts of her life were not ideally beautiful. They were the mixed result of young and noble impulse struggling amidst the conditions of an imperfect social state, in which great feelings will often take the aspect of error, and great faith the aspect of illusion. For there is no creature whose inward being is so strong that it is not greatly determined by what lies outside it. A new Theresa will hardly have the opportunity of reforming a conventual life, any more than a new Antigone will spend her heroic piety in daring all for the sake of a brother's burial: the medium in which their ardent deeds took shape is forever gone. But we insignificant people with our daily words and acts are preparing the lives of many Dorotheas, some of which may present a far sadder sacrifice than that of the Dorothea whose story we know. Her finely touched spirit had still its fine issues, though they were not widely visible. Her full nature, like that river of which Cyrus broke the strength, spent itself in channels which had no great name on the earth. But the effect of her being on those around her was incalculably diffusive: for the growing good of the world is partly dependent on unhistoric acts; and that things are not so ill with you and me as they might have been, is half owing to the number who lived faithfully a hidden life, and rest in unvisited tombs.”” [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human actions are shaped by external forces; ordinary deeds can have profound, unseen influence. **In simple terms:** People are shaped by surroundings; small acts matter. Key Takeaway Recognize the ripple effect of everyday actions. Themes society individual agency legacy Mood reflective hopeful Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - personal decisions - community building - social reform Key Concepts social determinism hidden influence Questions to Reflect On - How do unnoticed actions shape history? - What can we do to honor hidden contributions? A Different Perspective Not all impact is visible; some contributions remain unrecognized. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dorothea Story](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dorothea-story-5634454/) [Dorotheas Present](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dorotheas-present-5634453/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Lives Dorotheas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lives-dorotheas-5634452/) [New Antigone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-antigone-5644462/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Sacrifice Dorothea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrifice-dorothea-5634451/) ## Related quotes > [“We insignificant people with our daily words and acts are preparing the lives of many Dorotheas, some of which may present a far sadder…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/we-insignificant-people-with-our-daily-words-and-acts-are-preparing/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [But I already saw no great difference between the psyche and spirituality. 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They were the mixed result of young and noble impulse struggling amidst the conditions of an imperfect social state, in which great feelings will often take the aspect of error, and great faith the aspect of illusion. For there is no creature whose inward being is so strong that it is not greatly determined by what lies outside it. A new Theresa will hardly have the opportunity of reforming a conventual life, any more than a new Antigone will spend her heroic piety in daring all for the sake of a brother's burial: the medium in which their ardent deeds took shape is forever gone. But we insignificant people with our daily words and acts are preparing the lives of many Dorotheas, some of which may present a far sadder sacrifice than that of the Dorothea whose story we know. Her finely touched spirit had still its fine issues, though they were not widely visible. Her full nature, like that river of which Cyrus broke the strength, spent itself in channels which had no great name on the earth. 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