--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What you can do, or think you can, begin…" description: "\"What you can do, or think you can, begin it.\" — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4b/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_begin_what-you-can-do-or-think-you-can-begin-i_522309.jpg" --- # What you can do, or think you can, begin it. ![“What you can do, or think you can, begin it.” quote by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4b/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_begin_what-you-can-do-or-think-you-can-begin-i_522309.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4b/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_begin_what-you-can-do-or-think-you-can-begin-i_522309.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4b/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_begin_what-you-can-do-or-think-you-can-begin-i_522309.jpg) > “What you can do, or think you can, begin it.” [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote emphasizes that initiating action, even if uncertain, is the first step toward achievement. **In simple terms:** Start what you think you can. Key Takeaway Take the first step. Themes initiative action self‑belief Mood determined optimistic Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - personal projects - career moves - learning new skills - starting a business Key Concepts existentialism motivation Questions to Reflect On - What small action can you begin today? - How does fear affect your willingness to start? A Different Perspective Uncertainty may cause hesitation, limiting progress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Begin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/begin/) [Can do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/can-do/) [Decision making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision-making/) [Gymnastics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gymnastics/) [Indecision](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indecision/) [Indecisiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/indecisiveness/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think/) [Think Begin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-begin-565021/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [Lose the day loitering, 'twill be the same story To-morrow, and the next more dilatory, For indecision brings its own delays, And days are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/lose-the-day-loitering-twill-be-the-same-story-to-morrow-and-the-next/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [“ 'We cannot decide,' the Witness for the Treasury said. 'We are sorry, but it is the truth.' 'May we suggest that indecisiveness is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-addison/we-cannot-decide-the-witness-for-the-treasury-said-we-are-sorry-but/) [Katherine Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-addison/) > [I'm not an intimate of Donald Trump, but I have great instincts about people, and I have fairly good skill at sizing people up,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/i-m-not-an-intimate-of-donald-trump-but-i-have-great-instincts-about/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [Indecisiveness wears a person out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-l-konigsburg/indecisiveness-wears-a-person-out/) [E. L. Konigsburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-l-konigsburg/) > [When you want to teach children to think, you begin by treating them seriously when they are little, giving them responsibilities, talking to them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/when-you-want-to-teach-children-to-think-you-begin-by-treating-them/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [“Some people think you begin to grow up when you stop trying to figure out who you are.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesca-lia-block/some-people-think-you-begin-to-grow-up-when-you-stop-trying-to-figure/) [Francesca Lia Block](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesca-lia-block/) > [The positive thing about writing is that you connect with yourself in the deepest way. You get a chance to know who you are,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-goldberg/the-positive-thing-about-writing-is-that-you-connect-with-yourself-in/) [Natalie Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-goldberg/) > [What I say is focus your mind and respect your body. But mostly love your heart. I think that is where to begin, from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-huxley/what-i-say-is-focus-your-mind-and-respect-your-body-but-mostly-love/) [Laura Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-huxley/) > [“I don't think -" I begin, but then I stop there. Strangely enough, this sounds like a full, declarative sentence, as if I'm standing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-norman/i-don-t-think-i-begin-but-then-i-stop-there-strangely-enough-this/) [Matthew Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-norman/) > [“Whenever, I think It's Over But I find Its begin…”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahul-r-singh/whenever-i-think-it-s-over-but-i-find-its-begin/) [Rahul R Singh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahul-r-singh/) > [“Each indecision brings its own delays and days are lost lamenting over lost days. Whatever you can do or think you can do, begin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/each-indecision-brings-its-own-delays-and-days-are-lost-lamenting/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Indecision is a decision.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/indecision-is-a-decision/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [ “And while \[we\] do have possibilities that are vast and magnificent and almost infinite in scope, it's important to remember that our choice-rich lives… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-gilbert/and-while-we-do-have-possibilities-that-are-vast-and-magnificent-and/) [Elizabeth Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-gilbert/) > [Indecision becomes decision with time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/indecision-becomes-decision-with-time/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Making the right decision is hard,telling someone your decision is even harder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/making-the-right-decision-is-hard-telling-someone-your-decision-is/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) ## More by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe > [True works of art contain their own theory and give us the measurement according to which we should judge them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/true-works-of-art-contain-their-own-theory-and-give-us-the/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I never believed in trying to do anything. Whatever I set out to do I found I had already accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/i-never-believed-in-trying-to-do-anything-whatever-i-set-out-to-do-i/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [All lyrical work must, as a whole, be perfectly intelligible, but in some particulars a little unintelligible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/all-lyrical-work-must-as-a-whole-be-perfectly-intelligible-but-in/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/we-know-accurately-only-when-we-know-little-with-knowledge-doubt/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [It is easier to perceive error than to find truth, for the former lies on the surface and is easily seen, while the latter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/it-is-easier-to-perceive-error-than-to-find-truth-for-the-former-lies/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [There is no patriotic art and no patriotic science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/there-is-no-patriotic-art-and-no-patriotic-science/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [The connoisseur of art must be able to appreciate what is simply beautiful, but the common run of people is satisfied with ornament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/the-connoisseur-of-art-must-be-able-to-appreciate-what-is-simply/) [Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Nothing is worse than active ignorance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/nothing-is-worse-than-active-ignorance/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Let us not dream that reason can ever be popular. Passions, emotions, may be made popular; but reason remains ever the property of an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/let-us-not-dream-that-reason-can-ever-be-popular-passions-emotions/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Our foibles are really what make us lovable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/our-foibles-are-really-what-make-us-lovable/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Instruction does much, but encouragement everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/instruction-does-much-but-encouragement-everything/) [Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Giving is the business of the rich.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/giving-is-the-business-of-the-rich/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Just begin and the mind grows heated; continue, and the task will be completed!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/just-begin-and-the-mind-grows-heated-continue-and-the-task-will-be/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [I look upon all four Gospels as thoroughly genuine, for there shines forth from them the reflected splendor of a sublimity proceeding from Jesus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/i-look-upon-all-four-gospels-as-thoroughly-genuine-for-there-shines/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [Whatever we may say against collections, which present authors in a disjointed form, they nevertheless bring about many excellent results. We are not always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/whatever-we-may-say-against-collections-which-present-authors-in-a/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) [Explore all 2,052 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) ## More Begin quotes > [If you wanted to put the world to rights, who should you begin with: yourself or others?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/if-you-wanted-to-put-the-world-to-rights-who-should-you-begin-with/) [Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/) > [“Let the motherfucking games begin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-mchugh/let-the-motherfucking-games-begin/) [Gail McHugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-mchugh/) > [“Begin as you mean to go on, and go on as you began, and let the Lord be all in all to you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-h-spurgeon/begin-as-you-mean-to-go-on-and-go-on-as-you-began-and-let-the-lord-be/) [Charles H. Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-h-spurgeon/) > [The world will only begin to have faith in you when you do too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/the-world-will-only-begin-to-have-faith-in-you-when-you-do-too/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [The idea with a collection is sort of to begin with a kind of bang.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-christgau/the-idea-with-a-collection-is-sort-of-to-begin-with-a-kind-of-bang/) [Robert Christgau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-christgau/) > [“Humble yourself before the Lord and he will lift you high. People who are gentle, humble and able always have a great ending no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/humble-yourself-before-the-lord-and-he-will-lift-you-high-people-who/) [israelmore ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [Just begin and the mind grows heated; continue, and the task will be completed!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/just-begin-and-the-mind-grows-heated-continue-and-the-task-will-be/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [“Quitters don’t gain what they have started working on; waiters don’t start what they could have gained. What is common there is failure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/quitters-don-t-gain-what-they-have-started-working-on-waiters-don-t/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [I don't know the future. I didn't come here to tell you how this is going to end. I came here to tell you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-akin/i-don-t-know-the-future-i-didn-t-come-here-to-tell-you-how-this-is/) [Todd Akin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-akin/) > [The public should begin to understand that there's nothing that comes out of this campaign, or this Obama White House, that they can believe.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sununu/the-public-should-begin-to-understand-that-there-s-nothing-that-comes/) [John Sununu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sununu/) > [“A mother is always the beginning. She is how things begin.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-tan/a-mother-is-always-the-beginning-she-is-how-things-begin/) [Amy Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-tan/) > [I look forward to the day that a lot of the folks that you all talk about and cover on this network will begin…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-look-forward-to-the-day-that-a-lot-of-the-folks-that-you-all-talk/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“...I'd be interested in any tips you have for somebody starting out.” “Uh-huh,” I said, looking out the window. I decided, as we drove…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-jenkins-reid/i-d-be-interested-in-any-tips-you-have-for-somebody-starting-out-uh/) [Taylor Jenkins Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-jenkins-reid/) > [I'm Irish and always will be, but America has taught me so much. Maybe it's here in the U.S. that we find a healing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fionnula-flanagan/i-m-irish-and-always-will-be-but-america-has-taught-me-so-much-maybe/) [Fionnula Flanagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fionnula-flanagan/) > [Begin where you are. Read every word, every phrase, every paragraph of the mind, as it operates through thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/begin-where-you-are-read-every-word-every-phrase-every-paragraph-of/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) [Browse all 1,199 Begin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/begin/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What you can do, or think you can, begin it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Johann Wolfgang von Goethe" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/what-you-can-do-or-think-you-can-begin-it/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Begin" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/what-you-can-do-or-think-you-can-begin-it/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4b/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_begin_what-you-can-do-or-think-you-can-begin-i_522309.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4b/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_begin_what-you-can-do-or-think-you-can-begin-i_522309.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f4b/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe-36_begin_what-you-can-do-or-think-you-can-begin-i_522309.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What you can do, or think you can, begin it.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe", "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": "Johann Wolfgang von Goethe", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What you can do, or think...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/what-you-can-do-or-think-you-can-begin-it/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/what-you-can-do-or-think-you-can-begin-it/#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 } } ] } ```