--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It's easier to swoon in pious dreams Than…" description: "\"It's easier to swoon in pious dreams Than do good actions.\" — Gotthold Ephraim Lessing" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f4/gotthold-ephraim-lessing-9335_action_it-s-easier-to-swoon-in-pious-dreams-tha_2081171.jpg" --- # It's easier to swoon in pious dreams Than do good actions. ![“It's easier to swoon in pious dreams Than do good actions.” quote by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f4/gotthold-ephraim-lessing-9335_action_it-s-easier-to-swoon-in-pious-dreams-tha_2081171.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f4/gotthold-ephraim-lessing-9335_action_it-s-easier-to-swoon-in-pious-dreams-tha_2081171.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/2f4/gotthold-ephraim-lessing-9335_action_it-s-easier-to-swoon-in-pious-dreams-tha_2081171.jpg) > “It's easier to swoon in pious dreams Than do good actions.” [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Dreaming about virtue is easy; acting on it is hard and requires effort. **In simple terms:** Dreams are easy, actions are hard. Key Takeaway Act, not just imagine. Themes morality action hypocrisy Mood reflective serious Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal growth - social activism - everyday decisions - overcoming complacency Key Concepts Ethics practicality Questions to Reflect On - What actions can you take today? - How do you avoid idle moralizing? A Different Perspective Idealism can mask inaction. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Dream](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dream/) [Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams/) [Dreams Good](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dreams-good-586900/) [Easier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easier/) [Easier Swoon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easier-swoon-4065531/) [Good actions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-actions/) [Goodness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goodness/) [Pious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pious/) [Pious Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pious-dreams-4065529/) [Swoon Pious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/swoon-pious-4065530/) ## Related quotes > [The old dreams were good dreams; they didn't work out but I'm glad I had them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-james-waller/the-old-dreams-were-good-dreams-they-didn-t-work-out-but-i-m-glad-i/) [Robert James Waller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-james-waller/) > [If you don't give up your hopes and dreams, then there will always be a good ending.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/choi-minho/if-you-don-t-give-up-your-hopes-and-dreams-then-there-will-always-be/) [Choi Minho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/choi-minho/) > [Its good to have big dreams. Its good to want to increase. But if you start comparing yourself to others, it opens the door…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey/its-good-to-have-big-dreams-its-good-to-want-to-increase-but-if-you-2/) [Mickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey/) > [No matter the sky is Black or Blue, No matter there is Stars or Moon, As Long As your heart is true, Sweet dreams…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupak/no-matter-the-sky-is-black-or-blue-no-matter-there-is-stars-or-moon/) [Rupak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupak/) > [As the day turns into night. Keep your worries out of sight. No matter how tough the world may seem, you still deserve the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-the-day-turns-into-night-keep-your-worries-out-of-sight-no-matter/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Sometimes I get advice from the fictional characters in my dreams. Sometimes It’s good, and sometimes it’s nonsensical.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/sometimes-i-get-advice-from-the-fictional-characters-in-my-dreams/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Dreams will get you nowhere, a good kick in the pants will take you a long way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/dreams-will-get-you-nowhere-a-good-kick-in-the-pants-will-take-you-a/) [Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) > [No human being can achieve all he or she desires in this life except in dreams, so good night all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jos-saramago/no-human-being-can-achieve-all-he-or-she-desires-in-this-life-except/) [Jose Saramago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jos-saramago/) > [Any child who dreams to do good in the world has Mandela as his hero. I own a dog-eared copy of 'Long Walk to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-kielburger/any-child-who-dreams-to-do-good-in-the-world-has-mandela-as-his-hero/) [Craig Kielburger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-kielburger/) > [Its good to have big dreams. Its good to want to increase. But if you start comparing yourself to others, it opens the door…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-salsa-lopez/its-good-to-have-big-dreams-its-good-to-want-to-increase-but-if-you/) [Jonathan Salsa Lopez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-salsa-lopez/) > [No matter if the sky is black or blue No matter if there are stars or moon As long as ur heart is true…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babloo/no-matter-if-the-sky-is-black-or-blue-no-matter-if-there-are-stars-or/) [Babloo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babloo/) > [Dreams, if they're any good, are always a little bit crazy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-charles/dreams-if-they-re-any-good-are-always-a-little-bit-crazy/) [Ray Charles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-charles/) > [U know Y people say dat U can't sleep when U r in Love? Coz.. 4 the 1st time in ur life U wil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jugpreet-singh/u-know-y-people-say-dat-u-can-t-sleep-when-u-r-in-love-coz-4-the-1st/) [JUGPREET SINGH](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jugpreet-singh/) > [For even in dreams a good deed is not lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro-calder-n-de-la-barca/for-even-in-dreams-a-good-deed-is-not-lost/) [Pedro Calderon de la Barca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro-calder-n-de-la-barca/) > [May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-gaiman/may-your-coming-year-be-filled-with-magic-and-dreams-and-good-madness/) [Neil Gaiman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-gaiman/) ## More by Gotthold Ephraim Lessing > [To look forward to pleasure is also a pleasure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/to-look-forward-to-pleasure-is-also-a-pleasure/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [They make glorious shipwreck who are lost in seeking worlds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/they-make-glorious-shipwreck-who-are-lost-in-seeking-worlds/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [A single grateful thought toward heaven is the most perfect prayer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/a-single-grateful-thought-toward-heaven-is-the-most-perfect-prayer/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [Mocking laughter from Hell.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/mocking-laughter-from-hell/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [The superstition in which we were brought up never loses its power over us, even after we understand it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/the-superstition-in-which-we-were-brought-up-never-loses-its-power/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [He who doesn't lose his wits over certain things has no wits to lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/he-who-doesn-t-lose-his-wits-over-certain-things-has-no-wits-to-lose/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [Joy makes us giddy, dizzy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/joy-makes-us-giddy-dizzy/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [The real beggar is indeed the true and only king.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/the-real-beggar-is-indeed-the-true-and-only-king/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [Well was it said by a man of sagacity that dancing was a sort of privileged and reputable folly, and that the best way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/well-was-it-said-by-a-man-of-sagacity-that-dancing-was-a-sort-of/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [We moderns do not believe in demigods, but our smallest hero we expect to feel and act as a demigod.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/we-moderns-do-not-believe-in-demigods-but-our-smallest-hero-we-expect/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [Resist as much as thou wilt; heaven's ways are heaven's ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/resist-as-much-as-thou-wilt-heaven-s-ways-are-heaven-s-ways/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [The gift of prayer is not always at our command.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/the-gift-of-prayer-is-not-always-at-our-command/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [It is medicine, not poison, I offer you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/it-is-medicine-not-poison-i-offer-you/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [The lion is ashamed, it's true, when he hunts with the fox.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/the-lion-is-ashamed-it-s-true-when-he-hunts-with-the-fox/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) > [With a clear sky, a bright sun, and a gentle breeze, you will have friends in plenty; but let fortune frown, and the firmament…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/with-a-clear-sky-a-bright-sun-and-a-gentle-breeze-you-will-have/) [Gotthold Ephraim Lessing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) [Explore all 68 Gotthold Ephraim Lessing quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gotthold-ephraim-lessing/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. 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