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Half Quote by John Keats

“There is an old saying "well begun is half done" - 'tis a bad one. I would use instead, "Not begun at all till half done;" so according to that I have not begun my Poem and consequently (a priori) can say nothing about it.” quote by John Keats
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““There is an old saying "well begun is half done" - 'tis a bad one. I would use instead, "Not begun at all till half done;" so according to that I have not begun my Poem and consequently (a priori) can say nothing about it.””

John Keats

About This Quote

The quote plays with a proverb, suggesting that without starting, nothing can be judged, highlighting the paradox of assessing unfinished work.

In simple terms: Without beginning, you cannot evaluate.

Key Takeaway

Start before judging.

Themes

proverb paradox creativity

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

  • writing
  • project planning
  • self‑assessment
  • creative blocks

Key Concepts

assessment potential action

Questions to Reflect On

  • What prevents you from starting?
  • How do you measure progress without a start?
A Different Perspective

If you never start, you may never finish.

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