--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Don't be made useless or idle with…" description: "\"Don't be made useless or idle with despair. Gather yourself around your strength for light does the darkness most fear.\" — Jewel" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e03/jewel-1833_darkness_don-t-be-made-useless-or-idle-with-despa_2861817.png" --- # Don't be made useless or idle with despair. Gather… ![“Don't be made useless or idle with despair. Gather yourself around your strength for light does the darkness most fear.” quote by Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e03/jewel-1833_darkness_don-t-be-made-useless-or-idle-with-despa_2861817.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e03/jewel-1833_darkness_don-t-be-made-useless-or-idle-with-despa_2861817.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e03/jewel-1833_darkness_don-t-be-made-useless-or-idle-with-despa_2861817.png) > “Don't be made useless or idle with despair. Gather yourself around your strength for light does the darkness most fear.” [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Encourages confronting despair by focusing on inner strength, which dispels darkness. **In simple terms:** Use strength to overcome despair. Key Takeaway Embrace inner power. Themes resilience hope inner strength Mood determined inspirational Type advice motivational When to use this quote - personal crisis - mental health - leadership - conflict resolution Key Concepts psychology self‑empowerment Questions to Reflect On - How can you cultivate inner strength? - What external supports complement personal resilience? A Different Perspective Strength alone may not solve systemic problems. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Darkness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness/) [Darkness Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness-fear-440373/) [Despair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despair/) [Despair Gather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/despair-gather-3866121/) [Doe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doe/) [Gather Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gather-strength-645791/) [Idle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idle/) [Idle Despair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idle-despair-1542713/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Made](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/made/) [Useless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/useless/) ## Related quotes > [If I could tell the world just one thing It would be that we're all OK And not to worry 'cause worry is wasteful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/if-i-could-tell-the-world-just-one-thing-it-would-be-that-we-re-all/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) > [I will gather myself around my faith, for light does the darkness most fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/i-will-gather-myself-around-my-faith-for-light-does-the-darkness-most/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) > [Fear attracts the darkness. When you have no fear, the darkness fears YOU.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/fear-attracts-the-darkness-when-you-have-no-fear-the-darkness-fears/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [We tend to misunderstand the colour black, seeing it as evil, or negation of life. Rather, black means all things being possible, infinite energy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-pollack/we-tend-to-misunderstand-the-colour-black-seeing-it-as-evil-or/) [Rachel Pollack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-pollack/) > [But there are others of my kind...those who see themselves as lions among sheep. As kings--superior to man in every way. Why, then, should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-grahame-smith/but-there-are-others-of-my-kind-those-who-see-themselves-as-lions/) [Seth Grahame-Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-grahame-smith/) > [“In the darkness, fear my light.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susann-cokal/in-the-darkness-fear-my-light/) [Susann Cokal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susann-cokal/) > [“But I belong here. I could live here…hiding from the others, living among their consciences and their fears; why not? Could this be the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-c-lemus/but-i-belong-here-i-could-live-here-hiding-from-the-others-living/) [E.C. Lemus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-c-lemus/) > [“All was darkness, and she had been full of fear and apprehension, and then the sun had peeped through the clouds once more.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-fallada/all-was-darkness-and-she-had-been-full-of-fear-and-apprehension-and/) [Hans Fallada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-fallada/) > [“However, like many creatures that dwell in cold and darkness, they fear light and warmth, which we shall therefore call to our aid should…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-k-rowling/however-like-many-creatures-that-dwell-in-cold-and-darkness-they-fear/) [J.K. Rowling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-k-rowling/) > [“White There was a moment in the darkness when the fear lifted. A moment where white surrounded me. Hope. Lily, and someone else, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-e-pearson/white-there-was-a-moment-in-the-darkness-when-the-fear-lifted-a/) [Mary E. Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-e-pearson/) > [“All my life,I've been afraid of things, as a child and a woman must be. I lied about it naturally. I fancied myself a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-rice/all-my-life-i-ve-been-afraid-of-things-as-a-child-and-a-woman-must-be-2/) [Anne Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-rice/) > [“The only darkness you must fear is the the one that burns in your soul." \*Chiki101\*”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chiki101/the-only-darkness-you-must-fear-is-the-the-one-that-burns-in-your/) [Chiki101](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chiki101/) > [“Though I stand in darkness, I will fear no shadow. Though I am lost, I will know the way. Though I dwell in sorrow,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galen-beckett/though-i-stand-in-darkness-i-will-fear-no-shadow-though-i-am-lost-i/) [Galen Beckett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galen-beckett/) > [The way to overcome the darkness of our fear, confusion and suffering is by shining the light on all that we think, feel, say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-mamerto/the-way-to-overcome-the-darkness-of-our-fear-confusion-and-suffering/) [Edwin Mamerto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-mamerto/) > [“Like children in a dark room, like wayfarers passing a graveyard at night, the four men in the canoe filled the surrounding darkness with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-adams/like-children-in-a-dark-room-like-wayfarers-passing-a-graveyard-at/) [Richard Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-adams/) ## More by Jewel > [I want my whole life to be a great work of art, not just my art. And that means paying attention to my entire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/i-want-my-whole-life-to-be-a-great-work-of-art-not-just-my-art-and/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) > [Forgiveness is the needle that knows how to mend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/forgiveness-is-the-needle-that-knows-how-to-mend/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) > [We must never lose sight of the fact that we must take part in the development, not only of ourselves but of all humanity...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/we-must-never-lose-sight-of-the-fact-that-we-must-take-part-in-the/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) > [There is always one true thing to believe in…God,Science,Karma or fate...one of this always judge u.So.. try to be good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/there-is-always-one-true-thing-to-believe-in-god-science-karma-or/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) > [Being part of the natural world reminds me that innocence isn't ever lost completely; we just need to maintain our goodness to regain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/being-part-of-the-natural-world-reminds-me-that-innocence-isn-t-ever/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) > [Show me one man who knows his own heart, to him I shall belong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/show-me-one-man-who-knows-his-own-heart-to-him-i-shall-belong/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) > [“Spend time in silence. Take time to get to know yourself and your genius in stillness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/spend-time-in-silence-take-time-to-get-to-know-yourself-and-your/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) > [You always feel better when you sing. Music touches people's hearts. You know, it doesn't go through your mental capacity, it just moves you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/you-always-feel-better-when-you-sing-music-touches-people-s-hearts/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) > [I'm a happy mum. I didn't think it was in the cards for me, so I feel very blessed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/i-m-a-happy-mum-i-didn-t-think-it-was-in-the-cards-for-me-so-i-feel/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) > [Love bravely, live bravely, be courageous, there's really nothing to lose. There's no wrong you can't make right again, so be kinder to yourself,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/love-bravely-live-bravely-be-courageous-there-s-really-nothing-to/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) > [I'm trying to be in the moment and really enjoy my pregnancy. I feel really lucky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/i-m-trying-to-be-in-the-moment-and-really-enjoy-my-pregnancy-i-feel/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) > [Lots of people have gone from public housing to do great things in the world and have a tremendous sense of duty to their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/lots-of-people-have-gone-from-public-housing-to-do-great-things-in/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) > [Love bravely, live bravely, be courageous; there's really nothing to lose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/love-bravely-live-bravely-be-courageous-there-s-really-nothing-to-lose/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) > [On my own I generally have very messy hair, wear jeans and sneakers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/on-my-own-i-generally-have-very-messy-hair-wear-jeans-and-sneakers/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) > [Who will save your soul, if you won’t save your own?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jewel/who-will-save-your-soul-if-you-won-t-save-your-own/) [Jewel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) [Explore all 204 Jewel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jewel/) ## More Darkness quotes > [“Narrative cannot sustain formlessness any more than light can sustain darkness - it is the antithesis of formlessness, and so it can never truly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-krauss/narrative-cannot-sustain-formlessness-any-more-than-light-can-sustain/) [Nicole Krauss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-krauss/) > [“Wait here, wait here!" he cried and jumped up and began to run for help toward a cluster of lights he saw in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flannery-o-connor/wait-here-wait-here-he-cried-and-jumped-up-and-began-to-run-for-help/) [Flannery O'Connor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flannery-o-connor/) > [Strange - is it not? That of the myriads who Before us passed the door of Darkness through, Not one returns to tell us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/strange-is-it-not-that-of-the-myriads-who-before-us-passed-the-door/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [When you're scared - and I mean really scared, not just hearing a noise in the night, or standing toe to toe with someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-gordon-smith/when-you-re-scared-and-i-mean-really-scared-not-just-hearing-a-noise/) [Alexander Gordon Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-gordon-smith/) > [Clear moments are so short. There is much more darkness. More ocean than terra firma. More shadow than form.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-zagajewski/clear-moments-are-so-short-there-is-much-more-darkness-more-ocean/) [Adam Zagajewski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-zagajewski/) > [I even see the cinema itself as a woman, with its alternation of light and darkness, of appearing and disappearing images](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/federico-fellini/i-even-see-the-cinema-itself-as-a-woman-with-its-alternation-of-light/) [Federico Fellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/federico-fellini/) > [I guess he'll have to figure out someday that he is supposed to have this dark side, that it is part of what it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/i-guess-he-ll-have-to-figure-out-someday-that-he-is-supposed-to-have/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“I promise to respect and protect your aloneness, knowing that everything created must have its period of darkness: child and bulb, poem and personality.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morrow-lindbergh/i-promise-to-respect-and-protect-your-aloneness-knowing-that/) [anne morrow lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-morrow-lindbergh/) > [The beauty of darkness is how it lets you see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adrienne-rich/the-beauty-of-darkness-is-how-it-lets-you-see/) [Adrienne Rich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adrienne-rich/) > [“Even in darkness your lips taste of sunshine”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesca-lia-block/even-in-darkness-your-lips-taste-of-sunshine/) [Francesca Lia Block](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesca-lia-block/) > [“Defy me not for gleam can only shine in my existence" said Darkness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/defy-me-not-for-gleam-can-only-shine-in-my-existence-said-darkness/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“What does he look like? The question was soft- tentative. I knew who he meant. I interlaced my fingers through Rhysand's and squeezed tightly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-j-maas/what-does-he-look-like-the-question-was-soft-tentative-i-knew-who-he/) [Sarah J. Maas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-j-maas/) > [The dream of coming back is becoming a reality. A lot of the uncertainty about the future has been cleared up. A lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tagliabue/the-dream-of-coming-back-is-becoming-a-reality-a-lot-of-the/) [Paul Tagliabue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tagliabue/) > [“Life is like coffee, the darker it gets, the more it energizes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ankita-singhal/life-is-like-coffee-the-darker-it-gets-the-more-it-energizes/) [Ankita Singhal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ankita-singhal/) > [Twinking tears in a sea of black. Soft light in a world of darkness. Tiny wishes in a place of dreams. Do you see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicole-gentile/twinking-tears-in-a-sea-of-black-soft-light-in-a-world-of-darkness/) [Nicole Gentile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicole-gentile/) [Browse all 8,219 Darkness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Don't be made useless or idle with despair. 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