Taking action Quote by John Brandon
““Why do people keep doing stuff?" he said, talking to himself it seemed. Swin hesitated. "Wiping counters down and taking pictures. Cheating. Defending things." Swin couldn't see Kyle's face. It appeared he was about to say more, then thought better of it. It seemed he was going to laugh or cry; of course he was going to do neither. It was a moment of defeat, nothing more. Kyle looked back toward the woods where he'd thrown the gun. Swin felt he had to speak. "It's involved," he said. "Many schools of thought. In layman's terms, being the most sophisticated monkey makes you the most confused monkey. Taking action, any at all, is a way to alleviate that confusion. You, you're one of the least sophisticated of us sophisticated monkeys, and therefore suffer less confusion, and have less use for the empty actions that alleviate confusion. I don't mean that as a put-down." Though Kyle didn't move, Swin knew he was listening, knew the explanation was somehow helping.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Unknown, possibly a short story by John Brandon, date unknown
The passage explores how overthinking and excessive sophistication can cause confusion, while simpler beings find clarity through action, even if that action seems empty.
In simple terms: Complex minds get confused; simple actions help.
Key Takeaway
Act to reduce confusion.
Themes
confusion
action
complexity
simplicity
Mood
reflective
introspective
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- personal crisis
- decision making
- overcoming paralysis
- seeking clarity
Key Concepts
psychology
existentialism
human behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- How does simplicity affect your decision making?
- When does action become empty?
A Different Perspective
Complexity may not always be advantageous; simple actions can be meaningless without purpose.
![“[he] had learned how to force his mood, to keep himself in the middle ground, neither manic nor hopeless. He seemed a bit lighter in spirit, perhaps because he had less of it. He would find peace, even if it were some compromised brand.” quote by John Brandon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/ac0/john-brandon-27781_middle-ground_he-had-learned-how-to-force-his-mood-to_160767.jpg)
