--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: To live for results would be to sentence…" description: "\"To live for results would be to sentence myself to continuous frustration. My only sure reward is in my actions and not from them.\" — Hugh Prather" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef4/hugh-prather-3404_action_to-live-for-results-would-be-to-sentence_1630199.png" --- # To live for results would be to sentence myself to… ![“To live for results would be to sentence myself to continuous frustration. My only sure reward is in my actions and not from them.” quote by Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef4/hugh-prather-3404_action_to-live-for-results-would-be-to-sentence_1630199.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef4/hugh-prather-3404_action_to-live-for-results-would-be-to-sentence_1630199.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef4/hugh-prather-3404_action_to-live-for-results-would-be-to-sentence_1630199.png) > “To live for results would be to sentence myself to continuous frustration. My only sure reward is in my actions and not from them.” [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Focusing solely on outcomes leads to frustration; fulfillment comes from the act itself, not the result. **In simple terms:** Do the work, not chase results. Key Takeaway Value the process over the payoff. Themes process fulfillment mindset Mood contemplative calm Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - creative projects - exercise routines - learning new skills - career development Key Concepts Intrinsic motivation goal setting self‑compassion Questions to Reflect On - What activities bring you joy regardless of outcome? - How can you shift focus from results to effort? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on outcomes can cause burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Football](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/football/) [Frustration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frustration/) [Reward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reward/) ## Related quotes > [My only sure reward is in my actions, not from them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/my-only-sure-reward-is-in-my-actions-not-from-them/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [Fears, indecision, and frustration feed on words. Without words they usually stop. . . . Words are at times good for looking back, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/fears-indecision-and-frustration-feed-on-words-without-words-they/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [By approaching my problems with "What might make things a little better?" rather than "What is the solution?" I avoid setting myself up for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/by-approaching-my-problems-with-what-might-make-things-a-little/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [The Bell curve is a fact of life. The blacks on average score 85 per cent on IQ and it is accurate, nothing to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-kuan-yew/the-bell-curve-is-a-fact-of-life-the-blacks-on-average-score-85-per/) [Lee Kuan Yew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-kuan-yew/) > [At a certain point, we need to figure out how to reward those who choose a path that offers, often, almost no reward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greg-gutfeld/at-a-certain-point-we-need-to-figure-out-how-to-reward-those-who/) [Greg Gutfeld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greg-gutfeld/) > [The world more often rewards the appearance of merit than merit itself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-la-rochefoucauld/the-world-more-often-rewards-the-appearance-of-merit-than-merit-itself/) [Francois La Rochefoucauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-la-rochefoucauld/) > [There are challenges on this path of life but then we must understand that it is a journey well worth the effort because its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senora-roy/there-are-challenges-on-this-path-of-life-but-then-we-must-understand/) [Senora Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/senora-roy/) > [Do not expect human beings to reward you, don't even think about it, just LOVE, because you know at the end of the day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bo-sanchez/do-not-expect-human-beings-to-reward-you-don-t-even-think-about-it/) [Bo Sanchez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bo-sanchez/) > [The reward is in doing, but doing without expecting anything...doing unselfishly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-reward-is-in-doing-but-doing-without-expecting-anything-doing/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“You see," he said, "that's reward enough; you see, you see.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace-traubel/you-see-he-said-that-s-reward-enough-you-see-you-see/) Horace Traubel > [“If you give up, you reward failure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorii-myers/if-you-give-up-you-reward-failure/) [Lorii Myers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorii-myers/) > [When I'm working on something and I get to the point where I feel it getting interesting, that's my reward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-peter-lindstr-m/when-i-m-working-on-something-and-i-get-to-the-point-where-i-feel-it/) [Hans-Peter Lindstrøm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-peter-lindstr-m/) > [It's a sport about risk and reward. It's a sport about becoming a legend. You look at guys that have stepped up on last…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyron-woodley/it-s-a-sport-about-risk-and-reward-it-s-a-sport-about-becoming-a/) [Tyron Woodley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyron-woodley/) > [I like to praise and reward loudly, to blame quietly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-the-great/i-like-to-praise-and-reward-loudly-to-blame-quietly/) [Catherine the Great](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-the-great/) > [The highest reward that God gives us for good work is the ability to do better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbert-hubbard/the-highest-reward-that-god-gives-us-for-good-work-is-the-ability-to/) [Elbert Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbert-hubbard/) ## More by Hugh Prather > [Ultimately, my character is defined by the quality of my sensitivity to other people. I exist in equilibrium. I am here to the degree…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/ultimately-my-character-is-defined-by-the-quality-of-my-sensitivity/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [“I wish" assumes that I know what is the opposite of my present experience.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/i-wish-assumes-that-i-know-what-is-the-opposite-of-my-present/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [Sometimes when I generalize, I am saying, 'Let's pretend I am God,' and of course the other person argues that point endlessly. But I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/sometimes-when-i-generalize-i-am-saying-let-s-pretend-i-am-god-and-of/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [If the ocean was pure mind and I was a wave, I would be in terror if Itried to distinguish myself fromthe water that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/if-the-ocean-was-pure-mind-and-i-was-a-wave-i-would-be-in-terror-if/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [I don't need a "reason" to be happy. I don't have to consult the future to know how happy I feel now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/i-don-t-need-a-reason-to-be-happy-i-don-t-have-to-consult-the-future/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [“In order to see, I have to be willing to be seen.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/in-order-to-see-i-have-to-be-willing-to-be-seen/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [No matter what we talk about, we are talking about ourselves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/no-matter-what-we-talk-about-we-are-talking-about-ourselves/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [Love itself is not an act of will, but sometimes I need the force of my volition to break with my habitual responses and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/love-itself-is-not-an-act-of-will-but-sometimes-i-need-the-force-of/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [I can not 'make my mark' for all time - those concepts are mutually exclusive. 'Lasting effect' is a self-contradictory term. Meaning does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/i-can-not-make-my-mark-for-all-time-those-concepts-are-mutually/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [Today I don't want to live for, I want to live.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/today-i-don-t-want-to-live-for-i-want-to-live/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [Love, the magician, knows this little trick whereby two people walk in different directions yet always remain side by side…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/love-the-magician-knows-this-little-trick-whereby-two-people-walk-in/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [Books seek us out. They slip themselves into our hands just at the time we are ready for a new self-concept.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/books-seek-us-out-they-slip-themselves-into-our-hands-just-at-the/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [If I work toward an end, meantime I am confined to a process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/if-i-work-toward-an-end-meantime-i-am-confined-to-a-process/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [Happiness is gentleness, peace, concentration, simplicity, forgiveness, humor, fearlessness, trust, and now.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/happiness-is-gentleness-peace-concentration-simplicity-forgiveness/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) > [One element of maturity is the realization that we don't get away with anything. Any advantage gained or convenience taken, any private procrastination or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/one-element-of-maturity-is-the-realization-that-we-don-t-get-away/) [Hugh Prather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) [Explore all 130 Hugh Prather quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hugh-prather/) ## 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": "To live for results would be to sentence myself to continuous frustration. 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