--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We do not act because we know, but we…" description: "\"We do not act because we know, but we know because we are called upon to act; the practical reason is the root of all reason.\" — Johann Gottlieb Fichte" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/941/johann-gottlieb-fichte-19711_knows_we-do-not-act-because-we-know-but-we-kno_3018353.png" --- # We do not act because we know, but we know because we are… ![“We do not act because we know, but we know because we are called upon to act; the practical reason is the root of all reason.” quote by Johann Gottlieb Fichte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/941/johann-gottlieb-fichte-19711_knows_we-do-not-act-because-we-know-but-we-kno_3018353.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/941/johann-gottlieb-fichte-19711_knows_we-do-not-act-because-we-know-but-we-kno_3018353.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/941/johann-gottlieb-fichte-19711_knows_we-do-not-act-because-we-know-but-we-kno_3018353.png) > “We do not act because we know, but we know because we are called upon to act; the practical reason is the root of all reason.” [Johann Gottlieb Fichte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-gottlieb-fichte/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Reason arises from the call to act; practical reasoning underpins all rational thought. **In simple terms:** Action inspires knowledge; knowledge justifies action. Key Takeaway Act to discover reason. Themes philosophy reason action Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - decision making - leadership - ethical dilemmas - learning processes Key Concepts pragmatism epistemology Questions to Reflect On - When does action become more important than reflection? - How does duty shape rational thought? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on action may neglect contemplation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Act Practical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/act-practical-2643158/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Practical Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practical-reason-1383959/) [Practicals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practicals/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) [Reason Root](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason-root-2211263/) [Root Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/root-reason-2211262/) [Roots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roots/) ## Related quotes > [“We do not act because we know, but we know because we are destined for action; practical reason is the root of all reason.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-fichte/we-do-not-act-because-we-know-but-we-know-because-we-are-destined-for/) [Johann Fichte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-fichte/) > [I believe that the most spiritual act is the most practical in the true sense of the term.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adgjm-ptwsenoraroy/i-believe-that-the-most-spiritual-act-is-the-most-practical-in-the/) [Adgjm/ptwSenoraroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adgjm-ptwsenoraroy/) > [The practical reason for freedom is that freedom seems to be the only condition under which any kind of substantial moral fiber can be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-j-nock/the-practical-reason-for-freedom-is-that-freedom-seems-to-be-the-only/) [Albert J. Nock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-j-nock/) > [An open mind, in questions that are not ultimate, is useful. But an open mind about the ultimate foundations either of Theoretical or of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/an-open-mind-in-questions-that-are-not-ultimate-is-useful-but-an-open-3/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [There can't be a practical reason for believing something that is not true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/there-can-t-be-a-practical-reason-for-believing-something-that-is-not/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [The only objects of practical reason are therefore those of good and evil. 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Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) > [Our obligation to the will of God is our obligation to the laws of practical reason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-alexander-leighton/our-obligation-to-the-will-of-god-is-our-obligation-to-the-laws-of/) [Joseph Alexander Leighton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-alexander-leighton/) > [The possibility of a scientific treatment of history means a wider experience, a greater maturity of practical reason, and finally a fuller realization of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-iqbal/the-possibility-of-a-scientific-treatment-of-history-means-a-wider/) [Muhammad Iqbal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-iqbal/) > [“An open mind, in questions that are not ultimate, is useful. But an open mind about the ultimate foundations either of Theoretical or of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-s-lewis-2/an-open-mind-in-questions-that-are-not-ultimate-is-useful-but-an-open/) [C.S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-s-lewis-2/) > [“Pure practical reason, even with a good knowledge of the facts, will not take you to morality.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kai-nielsen/pure-practical-reason-even-with-a-good-knowledge-of-the-facts-will/) [Kai Nielsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kai-nielsen/) > [Surely to root politics out of art is a highly necessary undertaking: for the freedom of art, like that of science, depends entirely upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wyndham-lewis/surely-to-root-politics-out-of-art-is-a-highly-necessary-undertaking/) [Wyndham Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wyndham-lewis/) > [Ideal for the child and society in the best of times, Rudolf Steiner's brilliant process of education is critically needed and profoundly relevant now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-chilton-pearce/ideal-for-the-child-and-society-in-the-best-of-times-rudolf-steiner-s/) [Joseph Chilton Pearce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-chilton-pearce/) > [Part of the advantage, and part of the result of trying to be a producer and director, are the practical things, you find. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/campbell-scott/part-of-the-advantage-and-part-of-the-result-of-trying-to-be-a/) [Campbell Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/campbell-scott/) > [Technology means the systematic application of scientific or other organized knowledge to practical tasks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-kenneth-galbraith/technology-means-the-systematic-application-of-scientific-or-other/) [John Kenneth Galbraith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-kenneth-galbraith/) ## More by Johann Gottlieb Fichte > [What sort of philosophy one chooses depends on what sort of person one is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-gottlieb-fichte/what-sort-of-philosophy-one-chooses-depends-on-what-sort-of-person/) [Johann Gottlieb Fichte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-gottlieb-fichte/) > [It is a mistake to say that it is doubtful whether there is a God or not. 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