--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There's a right way and a wrong way to do…" description: "\"There's a right way and a wrong way to do things. If you make a chair, you want to make a nice chair. You want people to admire it. I think doing somet..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc2/hal-hartley-29660_admire_there-s-a-right-way-and-a-wrong-way-to-d_1993676.jpg" --- # There's a right way and a wrong way to do things. If you… ![“There's a right way and a wrong way to do things. If you make a chair, you want to make a nice chair. You want people to admire it. I think doing something well is a form of respect for humanity in general. I have found that all incompetence comes from not paying attention, which comes from people…” quote by Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc2/hal-hartley-29660_admire_there-s-a-right-way-and-a-wrong-way-to-d_1993676.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc2/hal-hartley-29660_admire_there-s-a-right-way-and-a-wrong-way-to-d_1993676.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc2/hal-hartley-29660_admire_there-s-a-right-way-and-a-wrong-way-to-d_1993676.jpg) > “There's a right way and a wrong way to do things. If you make a chair, you want to make a nice chair. You want people to admire it. I think doing something well is a form of respect for humanity in general. I have found that all incompetence comes from not paying attention, which comes from people doing something that they don't want to do. And doing what you don't want to do means either you have no choice, or you don't think that the moments of your life are worth fighting for.” [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Quality work reflects respect for humanity; incompetence stems from disengagement and lack of purpose, suggesting that meaningful effort requires passion and attention. **In simple terms:** Doing things well shows respect; lack of care leads to poor results. Key Takeaway Align tasks with personal values to ensure attention. Themes work ethic respect purpose Mood thoughtful instructive Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - career choices - creative projects - daily chores - volunteer work Key Concepts attention meaningfulness human dignity Questions to Reflect On - How can you find purpose in mundane tasks? - What steps help you stay attentive? A Different Perspective Passion may not always be feasible; practical constraints exist. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Admire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admire/) [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Chairs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chairs/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Dignity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dignity/) [Fighting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fighting/) [Form](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form/) [Form Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/form-respect-2431816/) [Found](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/found/) [Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Incompetence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/incompetence/) [Make Chair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-chair-596335/) [Mean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mean/) [Moments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moments/) [Nice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nice/) [Pay attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pay-attention/) [Paying Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/paying-attention/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) [Respect Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect-humanity-2817328/) [Right way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-way/) [Think Doing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-doing-238956/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) [Worth fighting for](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worth-fighting-for/) [Wrong way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wrong-way/) ## Related quotes > [I wanted to clear up the slum of legs… I wanted to make the chair all one thing again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eero-saarinen/i-wanted-to-clear-up-the-slum-of-legs-i-wanted-to-make-the-chair-all/) [Eero Saarinen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eero-saarinen/) > [For me, to be diva is to have an evening when you are on stage and you are in good form. To have respect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mirella-freni/for-me-to-be-diva-is-to-have-an-evening-when-you-are-on-stage-and-you/) [Mirella Freni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mirella-freni/) > [“The most important form of respect is self-respect. Not only does it show others how to treat themselves, it teaches them how to treat…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/the-most-important-form-of-respect-is-self-respect-not-only-does-it/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [“The utmost form of respect is to give sincerely of your presence.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mollie-marti/the-utmost-form-of-respect-is-to-give-sincerely-of-your-presence/) [Mollie Marti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mollie-marti/) > [The best form of respect is self respect. Give it to yourself and others will see that you won't settle for anything less.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-best-form-of-respect-is-self-respect-give-it-to-yourself-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Mockery when done without prejudice or discretion, can be a form of respect. It's the closest we'll ever come to true equality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-neilan/mockery-when-done-without-prejudice-or-discretion-can-be-a-form-of/) [Paul Neilan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-neilan/) > [When you look at every government, they're our elected officials, and you have to have some form of respect for them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-littrell/when-you-look-at-every-government-they-re-our-elected-officials-and/) [Brian Littrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-littrell/) > [Some people get so rich they lose all respect for humanity. That's how rich I want to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-rudner/some-people-get-so-rich-they-lose-all-respect-for-humanity-that-s-how/) [Rita Rudner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-rudner/) > [“For those of us who were brought up in the creed of respect for humanity, the simple encounters that can sometimes change into almost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/for-those-of-us-who-were-brought-up-in-the-creed-of-respect-for/) [Antoine de Saint-Exupéry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) > [I respect humanity. That's my religion. I can't stand these religions that are really businesses. So much money everywhere that's going to buy a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marjane-satrapi/i-respect-humanity-that-s-my-religion-i-can-t-stand-these-religions/) [Marjane Satrapi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marjane-satrapi/) > [“Respect for humanity! Respect for humanity! If such respect is rooted in the human heart, humanity will eventually establish a social, political, or economic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/respect-for-humanity-respect-for-humanity-if-such-respect-is-rooted/) [Antoine de Saint-Exupéry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) > [Treat Your Enemies With Respect And Humanity. But Also With Caution Do Not Give Them The Opportunity To Repay Your Kindness With An Act…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pacifiersucker/treat-your-enemies-with-respect-and-humanity-but-also-with-caution-do/) [Pacifiersucker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pacifiersucker/) > [“Those whom we have culture in common we are meant to carry the beauty of culture into the future so others can benefit from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilwaad-isa/those-whom-we-have-culture-in-common-we-are-meant-to-carry-the-beauty/) [Ilwaad isa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilwaad-isa/) > [Tyrants forego all respect for humanity in proportion as they are sunk beneath it. Taught to believe themselves of a different species, they really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-hazlitt/tyrants-forego-all-respect-for-humanity-in-proportion-as-they-are/) [William Hazlitt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-hazlitt/) > [ I did take the blows \[of life\], but I took them with my chin up, in dignity, because I so profoundly love and respect… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josephine-baker/i-did-take-the-blows-of-life-but-i-took-them-with-my-chin-up-in/) [Josephine Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josephine-baker/) ## More by Hal Hartley > [Perhaps I'm just optimistic.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/perhaps-i-m-just-optimistic/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [“Knowing is not enough.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/knowing-is-not-enough/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [More and more, even with a measure of success, I'm not sure what it is people are seeing when they see a movie I've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/more-and-more-even-with-a-measure-of-success-i-m-not-sure-what-it-is/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [All the discoveries seem to be discoveries of means.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/all-the-discoveries-seem-to-be-discoveries-of-means/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [TRUST took as its starting point the question, What would happen if a movie took the character of a teen-age girl seriously?.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/trust-took-as-its-starting-point-the-question-what-would-happen-if-a/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [I see (humor) in the smallest things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/i-see-humor-in-the-smallest-things/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [There's no such thing as adventure. There's no such thing as romance. There's only trouble and desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/there-s-no-such-thing-as-adventure-there-s-no-such-thing-as-romance/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [I wonder if there is anything to discover.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/i-wonder-if-there-is-anything-to-discover/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [We discover and invent new ways of finding out the same old things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/we-discover-and-invent-new-ways-of-finding-out-the-same-old-things/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [I think maybe written films are better than real films. You can see them in your head and yet everything is exactly as you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/i-think-maybe-written-films-are-better-than-real-films-you-can-see/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [I'm often uncertain of what's expected of a movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/i-m-often-uncertain-of-what-s-expected-of-a-movie/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [9/11 was my first day teaching at Harvard University. My classes were all canceled and I got back to town two days later. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/9-11-was-my-first-day-teaching-at-harvard-university-my-classes-were/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [Though I'm not religious, I am interested in religion. I read a lot of history and I think it came out of that. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/though-i-m-not-religious-i-am-interested-in-religion-i-read-a-lot-of/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [“You know my biggest fear is this: That all my hard work. All my good intentions. All my studying. Have been nothing more than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/you-know-my-biggest-fear-is-this-that-all-my-hard-work-all-my-good/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) > [I'll marry you if you admit that respect, admiration, and trust equals love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-hartley/i-ll-marry-you-if-you-admit-that-respect-admiration-and-trust-equals/) [Hal Hartley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) [Explore all 18 Hal Hartley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-hartley/) ## More Admire quotes > [Everyone will admire you when you do well. What a horrible thing to do to someone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/everyone-will-admire-you-when-you-do-well-what-a-horrible-thing-to-do/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [I admire Serena Williams, because, I mean, who doesn't admire Serena Williams?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johanna-konta/i-admire-serena-williams-because-i-mean-who-doesn-t-admire-serena/) [Johanna Konta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johanna-konta/) > [How proud I am to be compared to Oprah. I really admire her. She's a minority woman and she's done all this by herself...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cristina-saralegui/how-proud-i-am-to-be-compared-to-oprah-i-really-admire-her-she-s-a/) [Cristina Saralegui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cristina-saralegui/) > [I admire President Obama's ability to trust strangers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-gutfeld/i-admire-president-obama-s-ability-to-trust-strangers/) [Greg Gutfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-gutfeld/) > [I really admire people's interactions with technology that aren't tech-centric but use it as a tool.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-polachek/i-really-admire-people-s-interactions-with-technology-that-aren-t/) [Caroline Polachek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-polachek/) > [During my first years in the Sierra, I was ever calling on everybody within reach to admire them, but I found no one half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-muir/during-my-first-years-in-the-sierra-i-was-ever-calling-on-everybody/) [John Muir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-muir/) > [Shaw's works make me admire the magnificent tolerance and broadmindedness of the english.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-joyce/shaw-s-works-make-me-admire-the-magnificent-tolerance-and/) [James Joyce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-joyce/) > [It could be my British need for discipline that makes me admire the American appetite for freedom and passion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-winwood/it-could-be-my-british-need-for-discipline-that-makes-me-admire-the/) [Steve Winwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-winwood/) > [I believe in a world where there are no heroes, and I've read and know humanity a lot. There are moments that I admire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orhan-pamuk/i-believe-in-a-world-where-there-are-no-heroes-and-i-ve-read-and-know/) [Orhan Pamuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orhan-pamuk/) > [I admire machinery as much is any man, and am as thankful to it as any man can be for what it does for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-admire-machinery-as-much-is-any-man-and-am-as-thankful-to-it-as-any/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [I think it's really good and helpful to have the people you most admire in some other discipline than what you work in. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whit-stillman/i-think-it-s-really-good-and-helpful-to-have-the-people-you-most/) [Whit Stillman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whit-stillman/) > [Part of what we admire about a painting or a piece of music is the order which the artist has imposed upon what would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-storr/part-of-what-we-admire-about-a-painting-or-a-piece-of-music-is-the/) [Anthony Storr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-storr/) > [I respect and admire the Premier League.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-koeman/i-respect-and-admire-the-premier-league/) [Ronald Koeman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-koeman/) > [“Admire and appreciate your man and he will be happy on your side”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-alfiori/admire-and-appreciate-your-man-and-he-will-be-happy-on-your-side/) [Linda Alfiori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-alfiori/) > [“The thing I admire most about you is no matter how hard, or how much the world has tried to beat you, break you,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikita-gill/the-thing-i-admire-most-about-you-is-no-matter-how-hard-or-how-much/) [Nikita Gill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikita-gill/) [Browse all 2,369 Admire quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/admire/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There's a right way and a wrong way to do things. If you make a chair, you want to make a nice chair. You want people to admire it. I think doing something well is a form of respect for humanity in general. I have found that all incompetence comes from not paying attention, which comes from people doing something that they don't want to do. 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