--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: That is, we are responsible only for our…" description: "\"“That is, we are responsible only for our actions, not for their results. Trust first in God, then in John Day.”\" — George MacDonald" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4c/george-macdonald-295_responsible_that-is-we-are-responsible-only-for-our_3067790.png" --- # That is, we are responsible only for our actions, not for… ![“That is, we are responsible only for our actions, not for their results. Trust first in God, then in John Day.” quote by George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4c/george-macdonald-295_responsible_that-is-we-are-responsible-only-for-our_3067790.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4c/george-macdonald-295_responsible_that-is-we-are-responsible-only-for-our_3067790.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4c/george-macdonald-295_responsible_that-is-we-are-responsible-only-for-our_3067790.png) > ““That is, we are responsible only for our actions, not for their results. Trust first in God, then in John Day.”” [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We control our choices, not the outcomes; faith guides actions before results. **In simple terms:** We act, results follow; trust God first. Key Takeaway Focus on responsible actions, not outcomes. Themes responsibility faith control Mood reflective thoughtful Type moral spiritual When to use this quote - personal decisions - spiritual practice - ethical dilemmas - life planning Key Concepts free will divine trust Questions to Reflect On - How do you separate effort from outcome? - What role does faith play in your decisions? A Different Perspective Results may be beyond our control, causing frustration. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [I think of John every day. I do try to block it, but December 8th is not the only day I think of him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoko-ono/i-think-of-john-every-day-i-do-try-to-block-it-but-december-8th-is/) [Yoko Ono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yoko-ono/) > [Actions have consequences... first rule of life. And the second rule is this - you are the only one responsible for your own actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/actions-have-consequences-first-rule-of-life-and-the-second-rule-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Many people hold me ultimately responsible toward the actions and reputation of the global football community. I cannot monitor everyone all of the time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sepp-blatter/many-people-hold-me-ultimately-responsible-toward-the-actions-and/) [Sepp Blatter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sepp-blatter/) > [Every person must stand up and be accountable, but be responsible for their actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/every-person-must-stand-up-and-be-accountable-but-be-responsible-for/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Each is responsible for his own actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-hunt/each-is-responsible-for-his-own-actions/) [H. L. Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-hunt/) > [“I learned that in the end, only I was responsible for my actions.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliet-marillier/i-learned-that-in-the-end-only-i-was-responsible-for-my-actions/) [Juliet Marillier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliet-marillier/) > [You're only responsible for your own actions. You can't control how someone else reacts to what you do. You made a choice. Stand by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kekla-magoon/you-re-only-responsible-for-your-own-actions-you-can-t-control-how/) [Kekla Magoon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kekla-magoon/) > [It's right to trust in God; but, if you don't stand to your halliards your craft'll miss stays, and your faith'll be blown out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/it-s-right-to-trust-in-god-but-if-you-don-t-stand-to-your-halliards/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [People are responsible for their actions, but not the fruits of their actions. Always do what you think is right, but don't worry if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-pike/people-are-responsible-for-their-actions-but-not-the-fruits-of-their/) [Christopher Pike](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-pike/) > [We are a compound of both here and hereafter; we shall be made responsible for the actions of both while here. Anything beyond this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-haydon/we-are-a-compound-of-both-here-and-hereafter-we-shall-be-made/) [Benjamin Haydon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-haydon/) > [Everybody ought to be given a chance to do whatever they want, but be responsible for their own actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monty-roberts/everybody-ought-to-be-given-a-chance-to-do-whatever-they-want-but-be/) [Monty Roberts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monty-roberts/) > [“You are only responsible for your own actions, and what you do today speaks to who you are now, not what your people did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lilo-abernathy/you-are-only-responsible-for-your-own-actions-and-what-you-do-today/) [Lilo Abernathy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lilo-abernathy/) > [It is high time SoCalGas is held responsible for its actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-brockovich/it-is-high-time-socalgas-is-held-responsible-for-its-actions/) [Erin Brockovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-brockovich/) > [“every man is responsible for his own actions and the consequences or rewards they may bring.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-dalzelle/every-man-is-responsible-for-his-own-actions-and-the-consequences-or/) [Joshua Dalzelle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-dalzelle/) > [I'm 100 percent responsible for my actions in this case and I'm really disappointed in myself...I don't know what to say about it, except…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mischa-barton/i-m-100-percent-responsible-for-my-actions-in-this-case-and-i-m/) [Mischa Barton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mischa-barton/) ## More by George MacDonald > [“No revelation can be other than partial. If for true revelation a man must be told all the truth, then farewell to revelation; yea,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/no-revelation-can-be-other-than-partial-if-for-true-revelation-a-man/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [In low theologies, hell is invariably the deepest truth, and the love of God is not so deep as hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/in-low-theologies-hell-is-invariably-the-deepest-truth-and-the-love/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Life and religion are one, or neither is any thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/life-and-religion-are-one-or-neither-is-any-thing/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [The region belonging to the pure intellect is straitened: the imagination labours to extend its territories, to give it room. She sweeps across the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/the-region-belonging-to-the-pure-intellect-is-straitened-the/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Come, then, affliction, if my Father wills, and be my frowning friend. A friend that frowns is better than a smiling enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/come-then-affliction-if-my-father-wills-and-be-my-frowning-friend-a/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Ah, what is it we send up thither, where our thoughts are either a dissonance or a sweetness and a grace?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/ah-what-is-it-we-send-up-thither-where-our-thoughts-are-either-a/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [You must learn to be strong in the dark as well as in the day, else you will always be only half brave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/you-must-learn-to-be-strong-in-the-dark-as-well-as-in-the-day-else/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [“Few delights can equal the mere presence of one whom we trust utterly.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/few-delights-can-equal-the-mere-presence-of-one-whom-we-trust-utterly/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [“You have tasted of death now,” said the old man. “Is it good?” “It is good,” said Mossy. “It is better than life.” “No,”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/you-have-tasted-of-death-now-said-the-old-man-is-it-good-it-is-good/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [ “I wish I had \[made that song\]. No, I don't That would be to take it from somebody else. But it's mine for all… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/i-wish-i-had-made-that-song-no-i-don-t-that-would-be-to-take-it-from/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Past tears are present strength.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/past-tears-are-present-strength/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Age is not all decay; it is the ripening, the swelling, of the fresh life within, that withers and bursts the husk.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/age-is-not-all-decay-it-is-the-ripening-the-swelling-of-the-fresh/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [I want to help you grow as beautiful as God meant you to be when he thought of you first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/i-want-to-help-you-grow-as-beautiful-as-god-meant-you-to-be-when-he/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [“Immeasurably imperfect it was, but false the impression could not be, for she saw with the eyes made for seeing, and saw indeed what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/immeasurably-imperfect-it-was-but-false-the-impression-could-not-be/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) > [Those that hope little cannot grow much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-macdonald/those-that-hope-little-cannot-grow-much/) [George MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) [Explore all 720 George MacDonald quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-macdonald/) ## More Responsible quotes > [We can only be responsible for what we ourselves do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-peterfreund/we-can-only-be-responsible-for-what-we-ourselves-do/) [Diana Peterfreund](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-peterfreund/) > [You play a part, and as soon as a movie is over and the camera stops, you go home and you're not really responsible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nastassja-kinski/you-play-a-part-and-as-soon-as-a-movie-is-over-and-the-camera-stops/) [Nastassja Kinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nastassja-kinski/) > [“Responsibility to yourself means refusing to let others do your thinking, talking, and naming for you...it means that you do not treat your body…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-rich/responsibility-to-yourself-means-refusing-to-let-others-do-your/) [Adrienne Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrienne-rich/) > [I tried to just do things like make some money, be responsible, help out other artists who I see have had a similar path.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ariel-pink/i-tried-to-just-do-things-like-make-some-money-be-responsible-help/) [Ariel Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ariel-pink/) > [Actions have consequences... first rule of life. And the second rule is this - you are the only one responsible for your own actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/actions-have-consequences-first-rule-of-life-and-the-second-rule-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Taxpayers would likely be responsible for treating addicts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-warren-kindt/taxpayers-would-likely-be-responsible-for-treating-addicts/) [John Warren Kindt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-warren-kindt/) > [If you cease to be responsible for yourself your fate will also change hands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasneem-hameed/if-you-cease-to-be-responsible-for-yourself-your-fate-will-also/) [Tasneem Hameed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tasneem-hameed/) > [I'm not an educated man. I only know what I'm told, and I'm not told that much; I have no frame of reference for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maynard-james-keenan/i-m-not-an-educated-man-i-only-know-what-i-m-told-and-i-m-not-told/) [Maynard James Keenan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maynard-james-keenan/) > [It's got to do with the contention between content and form. Invariably that's what's responsible for its energies, its tensions, its being interesting or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/garry-winogrand/it-s-got-to-do-with-the-contention-between-content-and-form/) [Garry Winogrand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/garry-winogrand/) > [Maybe most Moslems peaceful, but until they recognize and destroy their growing jihadist cancer they must be held responsible,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-murdoch/maybe-most-moslems-peaceful-but-until-they-recognize-and-destroy/) [Rupert Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-murdoch/) > [“A responsible woman doesn’t see opportunities and needs and look the other way pretending not to see them rather she gets to work to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agu-jaachynma-n-e/a-responsible-woman-doesn-t-see-opportunities-and-needs-and-look-the/) [Agu Jaachynma N.E](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agu-jaachynma-n-e/) > [Don’t be vain because you happen to have talent. You are not responsible for that; it was not of your doing. What you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pablo-casals/don-t-be-vain-because-you-happen-to-have-talent-you-are-not/) [Pablo Casals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pablo-casals/) > [My mom is two people to me. She's my mom number one, and then she's this lady most comedians know as being a legendary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pauly-shore/my-mom-is-two-people-to-me-she-s-my-mom-number-one-and-then-she-s/) [Pauly Shore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pauly-shore/) > [A new constitution should be more amendable. A needlessly confusing system of courts should be altered to produce an arrangement that would be simple,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-edison/a-new-constitution-should-be-more-amendable-a-needlessly-confusing/) [Charles Edison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-edison/) > [Since you alone are responsible for your thoughts, only you can change them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/since-you-alone-are-responsible-for-your-thoughts-only-you-can-change/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) Browse all 3,182 Responsible quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“That is, we are responsible only for our actions, not for their results. 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