--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Everyone confesses in the abstract that…" description: "\"Everyone confesses in the abstract that exertion which brings out all the powers of body and mind is the best thing for us all; but practically most pe..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3de/harriet-beecher-stowe-1149_abstract_everyone-confesses-in-the-abstract-that_2011222.jpg" --- # Everyone confesses in the abstract that exertion which… ![“Everyone confesses in the abstract that exertion which brings out all the powers of body and mind is the best thing for us all; but practically most people do all they can to get rid of it, and as a general rule nobody does much more than circumstances drive them to do.” quote by Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3de/harriet-beecher-stowe-1149_abstract_everyone-confesses-in-the-abstract-that_2011222.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3de/harriet-beecher-stowe-1149_abstract_everyone-confesses-in-the-abstract-that_2011222.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3de/harriet-beecher-stowe-1149_abstract_everyone-confesses-in-the-abstract-that_2011222.jpg) > “Everyone confesses in the abstract that exertion which brings out all the powers of body and mind is the best thing for us all; but practically most people do all they can to get rid of it, and as a general rule nobody does much more than circumstances drive them to do.” [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People recognize the value of effort but avoid it; most actions are driven by circumstances rather than deliberate will. **In simple terms:** We know hard work is good but often avoid it. Key Takeaway Cultivate habits that align effort with purpose. Themes effort human nature motivation circumstance willpower Mood thoughtful motivational realistic Type advice philosophical practical When to use this quote - daily routines - exercise - learning - career development Key Concepts psychology behavioral economics self‑discipline Questions to Reflect On - How can you turn circumstances into motivation? - What habits help sustain effort? A Different Perspective External pressures may limit personal agency. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abstract](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstract/) [Abstract Exertion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstract-exertion-3592888/) [Best effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-effort/) [Best things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best-things/) [Body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body/) [Body And Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body-and-mind/) [Body Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/body-mind/) [Circumstances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/circumstances/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Exertion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exertion/) [Exertion Brings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exertion-brings-3592887/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Mind and body](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind-and-body/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) ## Related quotes > [Everyone confesses that exertion which brings out all the powers of body and mind is the best thing for us; but most people do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/everyone-confesses-that-exertion-which-brings-out-all-the-powers-of/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) > [“...over himself, over his own body and mind, the individual is sovereign".”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/over-himself-over-his-own-body-and-mind-the-individual-is-sovereign/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [What is the point if a man strengthens his body to amazing levels by exercises and nutritional food; but neglects his mental hygiene thereby…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-joseph-benziger/what-is-the-point-if-a-man-strengthens-his-body-to-amazing-levels-by/) [T Joseph Benziger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/t-joseph-benziger/) > [The body and mind are one. When the intimate relationship between mind and body is disrupted, aging and entropy accelerate. Restoring mind/body integration brings…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/the-body-and-mind-are-one-when-the-intimate-relationship-between-mind/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [“Beauty is achieved through perfection of body and mind.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-michels/beauty-is-achieved-through-perfection-of-body-and-mind/) [Elizabeth Michels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-michels/) > [“For the mind depends so much on the temperament and disposition of the bodily organs that, if it is possible to find a means…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ren-descartes/for-the-mind-depends-so-much-on-the-temperament-and-disposition-of/) [René Descartes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ren-descartes/) > [“The celebrated Parisian doctor Professor Xavier Bichat developed a fully materialist theory of the human body and mind in his lectures Physiological Researches on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-holmes/the-celebrated-parisian-doctor-professor-xavier-bichat-developed-a/) [Richard Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-holmes/) > [If there is no strength in body and mind, the Atman cannot be realized. First you have to build the body by good nutritious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/if-there-is-no-strength-in-body-and-mind-the-atman-cannot-be-realized/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Whatever success I've had so far has been assimilated into my body and mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-diamond/whatever-success-i-ve-had-so-far-has-been-assimilated-into-my-body/) [Neil Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-diamond/) > [The body and mind are dependent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-body-and-mind-are-dependent/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [Watch your own body and mind, and the people and things surrounding you, from the deep, calm place inside of you. When you do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-keyes-jr/watch-your-own-body-and-mind-and-the-people-and-things-surrounding/) [Ken Keyes Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-keyes-jr/) > [“If you are pure in intention and in alignment with beauty and love, in body and mind, the highest levels of your spiritual self…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/if-you-are-pure-in-intention-and-in-alignment-with-beauty-and-love-in/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) > [“It doesn't take much in the way of body and mind to be a lookout…It's mostly soul”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-connors-quoting-norman-maclean/it-doesn-t-take-much-in-the-way-of-body-and-mind-to-be-a-lookout-it-s/) [Philip Connors quoting Norman Maclean](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-connors-quoting-norman-maclean/) > [I started practicing yoga when I was a teenager, studying classical dance. My body and mind were very open but not very strong. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-stiles/i-started-practicing-yoga-when-i-was-a-teenager-studying-classical/) [Tara Stiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-stiles/) > [The body and mind are continually changing, and are, in fact, only names of series of changeful phenomena, like rivers whose waters are in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/the-body-and-mind-are-continually-changing-and-are-in-fact-only-names/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) ## More by Harriet Beecher Stowe > [It lies around us like a cloud- A world we do not see; Yet the sweet closing of an eye May bring us there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/it-lies-around-us-like-a-cloud-a-world-we-do-not-see-yet-the-sweet/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) > [I wrote what I did because as a woman, as a mother, I was oppressed and broken-hearted with the sorrows and injustice I saw,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/i-wrote-what-i-did-because-as-a-woman-as-a-mother-i-was-oppressed-and/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) > [People who hate trouble generally get a good deal of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/people-who-hate-trouble-generally-get-a-good-deal-of-it/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) > [Common sense is seeing things as they are; and doing things as they ought to be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/common-sense-is-seeing-things-as-they-are-and-doing-things-as-they/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) > [Love needs new leaves every summer of life, as much as your elm-tree, and new branches to grow broader and wider, and new flowers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/love-needs-new-leaves-every-summer-of-life-as-much-as-your-elm-tree/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) > [God has always been to me not so much like a father as like a dear and tender mother.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/god-has-always-been-to-me-not-so-much-like-a-father-as-like-a-dear/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) > [If I am to write, I must have a room to myself, which shall be my room.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/if-i-am-to-write-i-must-have-a-room-to-myself-which-shall-be-my-room/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) > [The longest way must have its close - the gloomiest night will wear on to a morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/the-longest-way-must-have-its-close-the-gloomiest-night-will-wear-on/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) > [Home is a place not only of strong affections, but of entire unreserved; it is life's undress rehearsal, its backroom, its dressing room, from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/home-is-a-place-not-only-of-strong-affections-but-of-entire/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) > [I am speaking now of the highest duty we owe our friends, the noblest, the most sacred - that of keeping their own nobleness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/i-am-speaking-now-of-the-highest-duty-we-owe-our-friends-the-noblest/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) > [No ornament of a house can compare with books; they are constant company in a room, even when you are not reading them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/no-ornament-of-a-house-can-compare-with-books-they-are-constant/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) > [The greater the interest involved in a truth the more careful, self-distrustful, and patient should be the inquiry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/the-greater-the-interest-involved-in-a-truth-the-more-careful-self/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) > [We can make ourselves say the kind things that rise in our hearts and tremble on our lips - do the gentle and helpful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/we-can-make-ourselves-say-the-kind-things-that-rise-in-our-hearts-and/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) > [It's a matter of taking the side of the weak against the strong, something the best people have always done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/it-s-a-matter-of-taking-the-side-of-the-weak-against-the-strong/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) > [What's your hurry?" Because now is the only time there ever is to do a thing in," said Miss Ophelia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/what-s-your-hurry-because-now-is-the-only-time-there-ever-is-to-do-a/) [Harriet Beecher Stowe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) [Explore all 280 Harriet Beecher Stowe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/) ## More Abstract quotes > [Love is like that, fragile and light. No wonder it rests upon our hearts in intangible moments, bids us follow fleeting thoughts and ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-like-that-fragile-and-light-no-wonder-it-rests-upon-our/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Wisdom is the abstract of the past, but beauty is the promise of the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/wisdom-is-the-abstract-of-the-past-but-beauty-is-the-promise-of-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Where human eyes have never seen, where human beings have never been, I build a world of abstract dreams, and I wait for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-ra/where-human-eyes-have-never-seen-where-human-beings-have-never-been-i/) [Sun Ra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-ra/) > [A little too abstract, a little too wise, It is time for us to kiss the earth again, It is time to let the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robinson-jeffers/a-little-too-abstract-a-little-too-wise-it-is-time-for-us-to-kiss-the/) [Robinson Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robinson-jeffers/) > [“Happy is very abstract, you can't touch it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-veal/happy-is-very-abstract-you-can-t-touch-it/) [Julius Veal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-veal/) > [Abstract Expressionism was invented by New York drunks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/abstract-expressionism-was-invented-by-new-york-drunks/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [The more horrible this world (as today, for instance), the more abstract our art, whereas a happy world brings forth an art of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/the-more-horrible-this-world-as-today-for-instance-the-more-abstract/) [Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/) > [Describing comic sensibility is near impossible. It's sort of an abstract silliness, that sometimes the joke isn't the star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-carvey/describing-comic-sensibility-is-near-impossible-it-s-sort-of-an/) [Dana Carvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-carvey/) > [For people of color - especially African Americans - the idea that racist cops might frame members of their community is no abstract notion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wise/for-people-of-color-especially-african-americans-the-idea-that-racist/) [Tim Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wise/) > [The word of the Lord never comes to us as an opinion, no attempt is made to support it by argument, it comes as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-w-ivins/the-word-of-the-lord-never-comes-to-us-as-an-opinion-no-attempt-is/) [Anthony W. Ivins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-w-ivins/) > [A mobile is an abstract sculpture made chiefly out of sheet metal, steel rods, wire and wood. Some or all of these elements move,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-calder/a-mobile-is-an-abstract-sculpture-made-chiefly-out-of-sheet-metal/) [Alexander Calder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-calder/) > [I'm this superphilosophical kind of person. Stuck in a prison of abstract ideas and overpowering emotions, I have this personality that makes it really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsuo-kirino/i-m-this-superphilosophical-kind-of-person-stuck-in-a-prison-of/) [Natsuo Kirino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsuo-kirino/) > [Future lawyers should be more aware that law is not a system of abstract logic, but the web of arrangements, rooted in history but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-frankfurter/future-lawyers-should-be-more-aware-that-law-is-not-a-system-of/) [Felix Frankfurter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-frankfurter/) > [The trouble is that when you read criticisms about the other films that I've made you get the impression that they're all about themes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-haneke/the-trouble-is-that-when-you-read-criticisms-about-the-other-films/) [Michael Haneke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-haneke/) > [Painting is... a richer language than words... Painting operates through signs which are not abstract and incorporeal like words. The signs of painting are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-dubuffet/painting-is-a-richer-language-than-words-painting-operates-through/) [Jean Dubuffet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-dubuffet/) [Browse all 1,403 Abstract quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstract/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Everyone confesses in the abstract that exertion which brings out all the powers of body and mind is the best thing for us all; but practically most people do all they can to get rid of it, and as a general rule nobody does much more than circumstances drive them to do.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Harriet Beecher Stowe" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/everyone-confesses-in-the-abstract-that-exertion-which-brings-out-all/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Abstract" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/everyone-confesses-in-the-abstract-that-exertion-which-brings-out-all/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3de/harriet-beecher-stowe-1149_abstract_everyone-confesses-in-the-abstract-that_2011222.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3de/harriet-beecher-stowe-1149_abstract_everyone-confesses-in-the-abstract-that_2011222.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3de/harriet-beecher-stowe-1149_abstract_everyone-confesses-in-the-abstract-that_2011222.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Everyone confesses in the abstract that exertion which brings out all the powers of body and mind is the…” — Harriet Beecher Stowe", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Harriet Beecher Stowe", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harriet-beecher-stowe/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Everyone confesses in the abstract that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/everyone-confesses-in-the-abstract-that-exertion-which-brings-out-all/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harriet-beecher-stowe/everyone-confesses-in-the-abstract-that-exertion-which-brings-out-all/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```