--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ACT as men of thought; THINK as men of…" description: "\"ACT as men of thought; THINK as men of action.\" — Henri Bergson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/986/henri-bergson-7179_action_act-as-men-of-thought-think-as-men-of-ac_2727370.jpg" --- # ACT as men of thought; THINK as men of action. ![“ACT as men of thought; THINK as men of action.” quote by Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/986/henri-bergson-7179_action_act-as-men-of-thought-think-as-men-of-ac_2727370.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/986/henri-bergson-7179_action_act-as-men-of-thought-think-as-men-of-ac_2727370.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/986/henri-bergson-7179_action_act-as-men-of-thought-think-as-men-of-ac_2727370.jpg) > “ACT as men of thought; THINK as men of action.” [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Thought and action should be mutually reinforcing; intellectual work inspires deeds, and deeds sharpen thinking. **In simple terms:** Thought and action should reinforce each other. Key Takeaway Align thinking with purposeful action. Themes philosophy action mindfulness Mood thoughtful energetic Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - decision making - creative projects - leadership - personal growth Key Concepts Dialectics pragmatism cognitive integration Questions to Reflect On - How do you ensure your ideas translate into action? - What habits keep you actively thinking while doing? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on thought can lead to paralysis. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Mark this well, you proud men of action! you are, after all, nothing but unconscious instruments of the men of thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/mark-this-well-you-proud-men-of-action-you-are-after-all-nothing-but/) [Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georg-wilhelm-friedrich-hegel/) > [The men of action are, after all, only the unconscious instruments of the men of thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heinrich-heine/the-men-of-action-are-after-all-only-the-unconscious-instruments-of/) [Heinrich Heine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heinrich-heine/) > [Men of thought and men of action, clear the Way!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-mackay/men-of-thought-and-men-of-action-clear-the-way/) [Charles Mackay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-mackay/) > [Men of thought seldom work well together, whereas between men of action there is usually an easy camaraderie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/men-of-thought-seldom-work-well-together-whereas-between-men-of/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Revolutions are brought about by men, by men who think as men of action and act as men of thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kwame-nkrumah/revolutions-are-brought-about-by-men-by-men-who-think-as-men-of/) [Kwame Nkrumah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kwame-nkrumah/) > [“Perhaps, he thought, if I only think of this second, this moment, the train won't come at all. Think of the water, think of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-styron/perhaps-he-thought-if-i-only-think-of-this-second-this-moment-the/) [William Styron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-styron/) > [The true men of action in our time, those who transform the world, are not the politicians and statesmen, but the scientists](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-h-auden/the-true-men-of-action-in-our-time-those-who-transform-the-world-are/) [W. H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-h-auden/) > [The successful men of action are not sufficiently self-observant to know exactly on what their success depends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-jacobs/the-successful-men-of-action-are-not-sufficiently-self-observant-to/) [Joseph Jacobs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-jacobs/) > [Men of ideas and men of action have much to learn from each other, and the truly great are men of both action and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-donovan/men-of-ideas-and-men-of-action-have-much-to-learn-from-each-other-and/) [Jack Donovan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-donovan/) > [Thinkers too often disparage men of action in ways that do them no credit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ignatieff/thinkers-too-often-disparage-men-of-action-in-ways-that-do-them-no/) [Michael Ignatieff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ignatieff/) > [Great men of action... never mind on occasion being ridiculous; in a sense it is part of their job, and at times they all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oswald-mosley/great-men-of-action-never-mind-on-occasion-being-ridiculous-in-a/) [Oswald Mosley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oswald-mosley/) > [The dreamers ride against the men of action. Oh see the men of action falling back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-cohen/the-dreamers-ride-against-the-men-of-action-oh-see-the-men-of-action/) [Leonard Cohen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-cohen/) > [Men of action," whose minds are too busy with the day's work to see beyond it. They are essential men, we cannot do without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-s-buck/men-of-action-whose-minds-are-too-busy-with-the-day-s-work-to-see/) [Pearl S. Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-s-buck/) > [Men of action usually win - that is one of their distinctive features.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/men-of-action-usually-win-that-is-one-of-their-distinctive-features/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Deliberation is the work of many men. Action, of one alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-de-gaulle/deliberation-is-the-work-of-many-men-action-of-one-alone/) [Charles de Gaulle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-de-gaulle/) ## More by Henri Bergson > [The present contains nothing more than the past, and what is found in the effect was already in the cause.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/the-present-contains-nothing-more-than-the-past-and-what-is-found-in/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [Action on the move creates its own route, creates to a very great extent the conditions under which it is to be fulfilled and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/action-on-the-move-creates-its-own-route-creates-to-a-very-great/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [Intuition is a method of feeling one's way intellectually into the inner heart of a thing, in order to locate what is unique and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/intuition-is-a-method-of-feeling-one-s-way-intellectually-into-the/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [“But, then, I cannot escape the objection that there is no state of mind, however simple, which does not change every moment, since there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/but-then-i-cannot-escape-the-objection-that-there-is-no-state-of-mind/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [In laughter we always find an unavowed intention to humiliate and consequently to correct our neighbour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/in-laughter-we-always-find-an-unavowed-intention-to-humiliate-and/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [In short, intelligence, considered in what seems to be its original feature, is the faculty of manufacturing artificial objects, especially tools to make tools,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/in-short-intelligence-considered-in-what-seems-to-be-its-original/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [There is no greater joy than that of feeling oneself a creator. The triumph of life is expressed by creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/there-is-no-greater-joy-than-that-of-feeling-oneself-a-creator-the/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [When we make the cerebral state the beginning of an action, and in no sense the condition of a perception, we place the perceived…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/when-we-make-the-cerebral-state-the-beginning-of-an-action-and-in-no/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [It is of man's essence to create materially and morally, to fabricate things and to fabricate himself. Homo faber is the definition I propose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/it-is-of-man-s-essence-to-create-materially-and-morally-to-fabricate/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [The only cure for vanity is laughter. And the only fault that's laughable is vanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/the-only-cure-for-vanity-is-laughter-and-the-only-fault-that-s/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [Instinct perfected is a faculty of using and even constructing organized instruments; intelligence perfected is the faculty of making and using unorganized instruments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/instinct-perfected-is-a-faculty-of-using-and-even-constructing/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [Intelligence is the faculty of making artificial objects, especially tools to make tools.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/intelligence-is-the-faculty-of-making-artificial-objects-especially/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [I believe I experience creativity at every moment of my life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/i-believe-i-experience-creativity-at-every-moment-of-my-life/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [“Might not certain vices have the same relation to character that the rigidity of a fixed idea as to intellect? Whether as a moral…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/might-not-certain-vices-have-the-same-relation-to-character-that-the/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) > [The movement of the stream is distinct from the river bed, although it must adopt its winding course.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/the-movement-of-the-stream-is-distinct-from-the-river-bed-although-it/) [Henri Bergson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) [Explore all 86 Henri Bergson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/) ## 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. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/) [Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) [Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "ACT as men of thought; THINK as men of action.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Henri Bergson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/act-as-men-of-thought-think-as-men-of-action/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Action" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/act-as-men-of-thought-think-as-men-of-action/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/986/henri-bergson-7179_action_act-as-men-of-thought-think-as-men-of-ac_2727370.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/986/henri-bergson-7179_action_act-as-men-of-thought-think-as-men-of-ac_2727370.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/986/henri-bergson-7179_action_act-as-men-of-thought-think-as-men-of-ac_2727370.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“ACT as men of thought; THINK as men of action.” — Henri Bergson", "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": "Henri Bergson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henri-bergson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "ACT as men of thought; THINK...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/act-as-men-of-thought-think-as-men-of-action/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henri-bergson/act-as-men-of-thought-think-as-men-of-action/#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 } } ] } ```