--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To dig a straight furrow, the plowman…" description: "\"To dig a straight furrow, the plowman needs to keep his eyes on a fixed point ahead of him. That keeps him on a true course. If, however, he happens to..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/675/howard-w-hunter-8675_attention_to-dig-a-straight-furrow-the-plowman-nee_2555710.png" --- # To dig a straight furrow, the plowman needs to keep his… ![“To dig a straight furrow, the plowman needs to keep his eyes on a fixed point ahead of him. That keeps him on a true course. If, however, he happens to look back to see where he has been, his chances of straying are increased. The results are crooked and irregular furrows...Fix your attention on…” quote by Howard W. Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/675/howard-w-hunter-8675_attention_to-dig-a-straight-furrow-the-plowman-nee_2555710.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/675/howard-w-hunter-8675_attention_to-dig-a-straight-furrow-the-plowman-nee_2555710.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/675/howard-w-hunter-8675_attention_to-dig-a-straight-furrow-the-plowman-nee_2555710.png) > “To dig a straight furrow, the plowman needs to keep his eyes on a fixed point ahead of him. That keeps him on a true course. If, however, he happens to look back to see where he has been, his chances of straying are increased. The results are crooked and irregular furrows...Fix your attention on your...goals and never look back on your earlier problems…If our energies are focused not behind us but ahead of us--on eternal life and the joy of salvation--we assuredly will obtain it.” [Howard W. Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-w-hunter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Maintaining forward‑looking focus prevents distraction and keeps one’s path straight, leading to consistent progress toward spiritual and personal goals. **In simple terms:** Stay focused on future goals, not past problems. Key Takeaway Keep eyes forward, avoid looking back. Themes focus discipline spiritual growth Mood determined hopeful Type motivational spiritual When to use this quote - personal development - career planning - spiritual practice - overcoming setbacks Key Concepts goal‑setting attention control faith Questions to Reflect On - What current goal requires your undivided attention? - How can you prevent past failures from influencing present actions? A Different Perspective Looking back can cause doubt and loss of momentum. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attention](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) [Behinds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/behinds/) [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Courses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courses/) [Crooked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/crooked/) [Dig Straight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dig-straight-1559662/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [Eternal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternal/) [Eternal life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eternal-life/) [Eye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eye/) [Fixed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fixed/) [Focused](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focused/) [Furrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/furrow-1466341/) [Furrow Plowman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/furrow-plowman-1559664/) [Furrows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/furrows-1559665/) [Generosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generosity/) [Goal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goal/) [Happens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happens/) [Has beens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/has-beens/) [His eyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/his-eyes/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Joy of salvation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy-of-salvation-98205/) [Looks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/looks/) [Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/needs/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Results](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/results/) [Salvation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/salvation/) [Straight Furrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/straight-furrow-1559663/) ## Related quotes > [The old ox plows a straight furrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/english-proverb/the-old-ox-plows-a-straight-furrow/) [English Proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/english-proverb/) > [You can be our critic. Would you dig that? (Yes, he was the last Man in America who could say “dig” with a straight…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-sonnenblick/you-can-be-our-critic-would-you-dig-that-yes-he-was-the-last-man-in/) [Jordan Sonnenblick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-sonnenblick/) > [Man takes a great deal of pains to heap up riches, and they are but like heaps of manure in the furrows of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-henry/man-takes-a-great-deal-of-pains-to-heap-up-riches-and-they-are-but/) [Matthew Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-henry/) > [“Push off, and sitting well in order smite the sounding furrows”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ulysses-tennyson/push-off-and-sitting-well-in-order-smite-the-sounding-furrows/) [Ulysses Tennyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ulysses-tennyson/) > [Man takes great pains to heap up riches, and they are like heaps of manure in the furrows of the field, good for nothing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-henry/man-takes-great-pains-to-heap-up-riches-and-they-are-like-heaps-of/) [Matthew Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-henry/) > [“The fields are black and ploughed, and they lie like a great fan before us, with their furrows gathered in some hand beyond the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/the-fields-are-black-and-ploughed-and-they-lie-like-a-great-fan/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [God fails not to sow blessings in the furrows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-taylor/god-fails-not-to-sow-blessings-in-the-furrows/) [Jeremy Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-taylor/) > [The seeds of first instructions are dropp'd into the deepest furrows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-farquhar-tupper/the-seeds-of-first-instructions-are-dropp-d-into-the-deepest-furrows/) [Martin Farquhar Tupper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-farquhar-tupper/) > [Depression is a bad thing, there is no depression in heaven, one of the things Jesus came to rescue us from is depression. THE…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goddey-wilson/depression-is-a-bad-thing-there-is-no-depression-in-heaven-one-of-the/) [GODDEY WILSON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goddey-wilson/) > [“Is it any wonder that the joy of salvation is felt so little, when the humility in which Christ found joy and brings it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-murray/is-it-any-wonder-that-the-joy-of-salvation-is-felt-so-little-when-the/) [Andrew Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-murray/) > [The Blood of Jesus Christ Makes You Free and Holy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goddey-wilson/the-blood-of-jesus-christ-makes-you-free-and-holy/) [GODDEY WILSON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goddey-wilson/) > [Great joy is experienced when our salvation is realized to the point of righteousness. Righteousness is when your life is in agreement with Gods…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goddey-wilson/great-joy-is-experienced-when-our-salvation-is-realized-to-the-point/) [GODDEY WILSON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goddey-wilson/) > [Christians who believe in the Bible believe that it is their job to bring others the joy of salvation. Even if they're murdered, beaten…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-everett/christians-who-believe-in-the-bible-believe-that-it-is-their-job-to/) [Daniel Everett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-everett/) > [David knew what to pray when he lost his joy. Do not cast me away from Your presence, And do not take Your Holy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/goddey-wilson/david-knew-what-to-pray-when-he-lost-his-joy-do-not-cast-me-away-from/) [GODDEY WILSON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/goddey-wilson/) > [“the humility appropriate for a fellow sinner, express the courage and authority of one confident of the Savior’s provision, exude the joy of salvation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-chapell/the-humility-appropriate-for-a-fellow-sinner-express-the-courage-and/) [Bryan Chapell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-chapell/) ## More by Howard W. Hunter > [“It is certain that one who studies the scriptures every day accomplishes far more than one who devotes considerable time one day and then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-w-hunter/it-is-certain-that-one-who-studies-the-scriptures-every-day/) [Howard W. Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-w-hunter/) > [“Christianity in its fullness and truth has been restored to the earth by direct revelation. The restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-w-hunter/christianity-in-its-fullness-and-truth-has-been-restored-to-the-earth/) [Howard W. Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-w-hunter/) > [What a glorious thing it is for us to have the privilege of going to the temple for our own blessings. Then after going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-w-hunter/what-a-glorious-thing-it-is-for-us-to-have-the-privilege-of-going-to/) [Howard W. Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-w-hunter/) > [There is a great need to rally the women of the Church to stand with and for the Brethren in stemming the tide of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-w-hunter/there-is-a-great-need-to-rally-the-women-of-the-church-to-stand-with/) [Howard W. Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-w-hunter/) > [To make a covenant with the Lord to always keep His commandments is a serious obligation, and to renew that covenant by partaking of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-w-hunter/to-make-a-covenant-with-the-lord-to-always-keep-his-commandments-is-a/) [Howard W. Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-w-hunter/) > [When we . . . read and study the scriptures, benefits and blessings of many kinds come to us. This is the most profitable…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-w-hunter/when-we-read-and-study-the-scriptures-benefits-and-blessings-of-many/) [Howard W. Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-w-hunter/) > [Tender expressions of love and affection toward children are as much the responsibility of the father as the mother. Tell your children you love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-w-hunter/tender-expressions-of-love-and-affection-toward-children-are-as-much/) [Howard W. Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-w-hunter/) > [The family is the most important unit in time and in eternity and, as such, transcends every other interest in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-w-hunter/the-family-is-the-most-important-unit-in-time-and-in-eternity-and-as/) [Howard W. Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-w-hunter/) > [God's chief way of acting is by persuasion and patience and long-suffering, not by coercion and stark confrontation. He acts by gentle solicitation and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-w-hunter/god-s-chief-way-of-acting-is-by-persuasion-and-patience-and-long/) [Howard W. Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-w-hunter/) > [We have every reason in time and eternity to rejoice and give thanks for the quality of our lives and the blessings we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-w-hunter/we-have-every-reason-in-time-and-eternity-to-rejoice-and-give-thanks/) [Howard W. Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-w-hunter/) > [Tenderness and respect-never selfishness-must be the guiding principles in the intimate relationship between husband and wife](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-w-hunter/tenderness-and-respect-never-selfishness-must-be-the-guiding/) [Howard W. Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-w-hunter/) > [To do one's best in the face of the commonplace struggles of life, and possibly in the face of failures, and to continue to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-w-hunter/to-do-one-s-best-in-the-face-of-the-commonplace-struggles-of-life-and/) [Howard W. Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-w-hunter/) > [Those who are filled with the love of Christ do not seek to force others to do better, they inspire others to do better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-w-hunter/those-who-are-filled-with-the-love-of-christ-do-not-seek-to-force/) [Howard W. Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-w-hunter/) > [Giving consistent effort in the little things in day-to-day life leads to true greatness. Specifically, it is the thousands of little deeds and tasks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-w-hunter/giving-consistent-effort-in-the-little-things-in-day-to-day-life/) [Howard W. Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-w-hunter/) > [Courage is acting in spite of fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-w-hunter/courage-is-acting-in-spite-of-fear/) [Howard W. Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-w-hunter/) [Explore all 79 Howard W. Hunter quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-w-hunter/) ## More Attention quotes > [It appears to me that one great cause of our difference in opinion on subjects which we often discuss is that you have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ricardo/it-appears-to-me-that-one-great-cause-of-our-difference-in-opinion-on/) [David Ricardo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ricardo/) > [People pay far too much attention to the television and they're quite literal in some ways. At the beginning, when I was playing very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ardal-o-hanlon/people-pay-far-too-much-attention-to-the-television-and-they-re-quite/) [Ardal O'Hanlon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ardal-o-hanlon/) > [Television, radio, social media. The 24/7 news cycle plows forward mercilessly on our desks, in our cars and in our pockets. Thousands and thousands…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-prince/television-radio-social-media-the-24-7-news-cycle-plows-forward/) [Joseph Prince](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-prince/) > [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/) [Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/) > [Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. They are but improved means to an unimproved end.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/our-inventions-are-wont-to-be-pretty-toys-which-distract-our/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [What people don't normally know about us is the hustle is very real, and it's sorely driven a lot by how we consider ourselves.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lzzy-hale/what-people-don-t-normally-know-about-us-is-the-hustle-is-very-real/) [Lzzy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lzzy-hale/) > [For me, the term "psychotherapy" is limiting. It implies that we work with mind and emotions, but excludes the body and pays scant attention…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jed-diamond/for-me-the-term-psychotherapy-is-limiting-it-implies-that-we-work/) [Jed Diamond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jed-diamond/) > [When you approach something to photograph it, first be still with yourself until the object of your attention affirms your presence. Then don't leave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/minor-white/when-you-approach-something-to-photograph-it-first-be-still-with/) [Minor White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/minor-white/) > [I'm writing about real things. Real people. Real characters. You have to believe what I write about is true or you wouldn't pay any…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lou-reed/i-m-writing-about-real-things-real-people-real-characters-you-have-to/) [Lou Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lou-reed/) > [ I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with \[my wife\] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahershala-ali/i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with-my-wife-in-december-24-1999/) [Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahershala-ali/) > [The Harvard Business Review recently had an article called 'The Human Moment,' about how to make real contact with a person at work: ...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-goleman/the-harvard-business-review-recently-had-an-article-called-the-human/) [Daniel Goleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-goleman/) > [Let us thank God heartily as often as we pray that we have His Spirit in us to teach us to pray. Thanksgiving will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-murray/let-us-thank-god-heartily-as-often-as-we-pray-that-we-have-his-spirit/) [Andy Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-murray/) > [Enlightened people live in very charged states of attention, with a tremendous power circuiting through them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/enlightened-people-live-in-very-charged-states-of-attention-with-a/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [We must have a welfare system that we can afford, which will mean giving greater attention to directing the welfare program toward its primary…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-portillo/we-must-have-a-welfare-system-that-we-can-afford-which-will-mean/) [Michael Portillo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-portillo/) > [The director's job should give you a sense of music without drawing attention to itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-hackford/the-director-s-job-should-give-you-a-sense-of-music-without-drawing/) [Taylor Hackford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-hackford/) [Browse all 10,153 Attention quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attention/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "To dig a straight furrow, the plowman needs to keep his eyes on a fixed point ahead of him. 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