--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: You must take the will for the deed." description: "\"You must take the will for the deed.\" — Jonathan Swift" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eff/jonathan-swift-433_deed_you-must-take-the-will-for-the-deed-2383_2383965.jpg" --- # You must take the will for the deed. ![“You must take the will for the deed.” quote by Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eff/jonathan-swift-433_deed_you-must-take-the-will-for-the-deed-2383_2383965.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eff/jonathan-swift-433_deed_you-must-take-the-will-for-the-deed-2383_2383965.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eff/jonathan-swift-433_deed_you-must-take-the-will-for-the-deed-2383_2383965.jpg) > “You must take the will for the deed.” [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He urges decisive action, suggesting that willpower is essential to accomplish deeds. **In simple terms:** Willpower drives action. Key Takeaway Cultivate strong will to act. Themes philosophy motivation agency ethics Mood thoughtful serious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - Goal setting - habit formation - leadership decisions - ethical dilemmas Key Concepts Determinism personal responsibility Questions to Reflect On - What internal forces motivate you? - When does will need support? A Different Perspective Will alone may not overcome external obstacles. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Deed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deed/) [Deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deeds/) ## Related quotes > [Time often serves to justify a deed which seems at first unjustifiable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-p-ryan/time-often-serves-to-justify-a-deed-which-seems-at-first-unjustifiable/) [Donald P. Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-p-ryan/) > [Even a smile is a good deed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shari-arison/even-a-smile-is-a-good-deed/) [Shari Arison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shari-arison/) > [Small deeds done are better than great deeds plannd..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/small-deeds-done-are-better-than-great-deeds-plannd/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [In the order of nature, we cannot render benefits to those from whom we receive them, or only seldom. But the benefit we receive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/in-the-order-of-nature-we-cannot-render-benefits-to-those-from-whom/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The deed of love is stronger than words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-bailey/the-deed-of-love-is-stronger-than-words/) [Pearl Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-bailey/) > [There is never a deed so foul that something couldn't be said for the guy; that's why there are lawyers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melvin-belli/there-is-never-a-deed-so-foul-that-something-couldn-t-be-said-for-the/) [Melvin Belli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melvin-belli/) > [A good deed is not just a duty, but above all, a privilege.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shari-arison/a-good-deed-is-not-just-a-duty-but-above-all-a-privilege/) [Shari Arison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shari-arison/) > [A man who is wise in speech but not in deeds is not wise for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/a-man-who-is-wise-in-speech-but-not-in-deeds-is-not-wise-for-me/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [“Kindness is not about words. It isn’t spoken. It is about action. Kindness is a deed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthon-st-maarten/kindness-is-not-about-words-it-isn-t-spoken-it-is-about-action/) [Anthon St. Maarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthon-st-maarten/) > [Measuring life by what others do for us may disappoint us...But Measuring life by what we do for others will add more meaning to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/measuring-life-by-what-others-do-for-us-may-disappoint-us-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you see a guy opening a car door for a girl, its one of two things, either a new girl, or a new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-armenta/if-you-see-a-guy-opening-a-car-door-for-a-girl-its-one-of-two-things/) [Jorge Armenta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-armenta/) > [One good deed will lead to thousands more of blessings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-good-deed-will-lead-to-thousands-more-of-blessings/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Be sure to do your duty today, and let God Take care of the outcome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/be-sure-to-do-your-duty-today-and-let-god-take-care-of-the-outcome/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I discovered that everything you do is in response to a request or a suggestion made to you by some other party either inside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flann-o-brien/i-discovered-that-everything-you-do-is-in-response-to-a-request-or-a/) [Flann O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flann-o-brien/) > [Not really what you can do, others can either. Not really what you can't do, neither can others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voeun-tivea/not-really-what-you-can-do-others-can-either-not-really-what-you-can/) [Voeun Tivea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voeun-tivea/) ## More by Jonathan Swift > [Time is painted with a lock before, and bald behind, signifying thereby that we must take time by the forelock; for, when it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/time-is-painted-with-a-lock-before-and-bald-behind-signifying-thereby/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [“He said, he knew no reason why those who entertain opinions prejudicial to the public should be obliged to change, or should not be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/he-said-he-knew-no-reason-why-those-who-entertain-opinions/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [I with borrow'd silver shine, What you see is none of mine. First I show you but a quarter, Like the bow that guards…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/i-with-borrow-d-silver-shine-what-you-see-is-none-of-mine-first-i/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [A favor is half granted, when graciously refused.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/a-favor-is-half-granted-when-graciously-refused/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [I never wonder to see men wicked, but I often wonder to see them not ashamed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/i-never-wonder-to-see-men-wicked-but-i-often-wonder-to-see-them-not/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [The best Maxim I know in this life is, to drink your Coffee when you can, and when you cannot, to be easy without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/the-best-maxim-i-know-in-this-life-is-to-drink-your-coffee-when-you/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [A lie is an excuse guarded](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/a-lie-is-an-excuse-guarded/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [A forward critic often dupes us With sham quotations peri hupsos, And if we have not read Longinus, Will magisterially outshine us. Then, lest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/a-forward-critic-often-dupes-us-with-sham-quotations-peri-hupsos-and/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [May you live every day of your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/may-you-live-every-day-of-your-life/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [Ale is meat, drink and cloth; it will make a cat speak and a wise man dumb.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/ale-is-meat-drink-and-cloth-it-will-make-a-cat-speak-and-a-wise-man/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [All fits of pleasure are balanced by an equal degree of pain or languor; it is like spending this year part of the next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/all-fits-of-pleasure-are-balanced-by-an-equal-degree-of-pain-or/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [Satire is a sort of glass wherein beholders do generally discover everybody’s face but their own; which is the chief reason for that kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/satire-is-a-sort-of-glass-wherein-beholders-do-generally-discover/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [“When a great genius appears in the world you may know him by this sign; that the dunces are all in confederacy against him."…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/when-a-great-genius-appears-in-the-world-you-may-know-him-by-this/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [I have ever hated all nations, professions, and communities, and all my love is toward individuals: for instance, I hate the tribe of lawyers,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/i-have-ever-hated-all-nations-professions-and-communities-and-all-my/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) > [So endless and exorbitant are the desires of men that they will grasp at all, and can form no scheme of perfect happiness with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/so-endless-and-exorbitant-are-the-desires-of-men-that-they-will-grasp/) [Jonathan Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) [Explore all 535 Jonathan Swift quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/) ## More Deed quotes > [Time often serves to justify a deed which seems at first unjustifiable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-p-ryan/time-often-serves-to-justify-a-deed-which-seems-at-first-unjustifiable/) [Donald P. Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-p-ryan/) > [“I discovered that everything you do is in response to a request or a suggestion made to you by some other party either inside…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flann-o-brien/i-discovered-that-everything-you-do-is-in-response-to-a-request-or-a/) [Flann O'Brien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flann-o-brien/) > [Be sure to do your duty today, and let God Take care of the outcome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/be-sure-to-do-your-duty-today-and-let-god-take-care-of-the-outcome/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [One good deed will lead to thousands more of blessings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-good-deed-will-lead-to-thousands-more-of-blessings/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you see a guy opening a car door for a girl, its one of two things, either a new girl, or a new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-armenta/if-you-see-a-guy-opening-a-car-door-for-a-girl-its-one-of-two-things/) [Jorge Armenta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-armenta/) > [A man who is wise in speech but not in deeds is not wise for me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/a-man-who-is-wise-in-speech-but-not-in-deeds-is-not-wise-for-me/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [A good deed is not just a duty, but above all, a privilege.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shari-arison/a-good-deed-is-not-just-a-duty-but-above-all-a-privilege/) [Shari Arison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shari-arison/) > [Not really what you can do, others can either. Not really what you can't do, neither can others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voeun-tivea/not-really-what-you-can-do-others-can-either-not-really-what-you-can/) [Voeun Tivea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voeun-tivea/) > [“Kindness is not about words. It isn’t spoken. It is about action. Kindness is a deed.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthon-st-maarten/kindness-is-not-about-words-it-isn-t-spoken-it-is-about-action/) [Anthon St. Maarten](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthon-st-maarten/) > [Measuring life by what others do for us may disappoint us...But Measuring life by what we do for others will add more meaning to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/measuring-life-by-what-others-do-for-us-may-disappoint-us-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The deed of love is stronger than words](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pearl-bailey/the-deed-of-love-is-stronger-than-words/) [Pearl Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pearl-bailey/) > [Through the perfect karma of good deeds, one meets the Perfect Guru, whose speech is perfect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-guru-granth-sahib/through-the-perfect-karma-of-good-deeds-one-meets-the-perfect-guru/) [Sri Guru Granth Sahib](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-guru-granth-sahib/) > [Reward will follow every good deed. Only by doing good deeds can a man know the true joy of living and have a long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/reward-will-follow-every-good-deed-only-by-doing-good-deeds-can-a-man/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) > [Life is never worth worrying about deeds. Just doing is enough to get better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aamir-sheikh/life-is-never-worth-worrying-about-deeds-just-doing-is-enough-to-get/) [Aamir Sheikh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aamir-sheikh/) > [Our everyday cares, making a living, the crazy rat race of life, often make us forget the value of a good deed. Thus, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shari-arison/our-everyday-cares-making-a-living-the-crazy-rat-race-of-life-often/) [Shari Arison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shari-arison/) [Browse all 281 Deed quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deed/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "You must take the will for the deed.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jonathan Swift" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/you-must-take-the-will-for-the-deed/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Deed" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/you-must-take-the-will-for-the-deed/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eff/jonathan-swift-433_deed_you-must-take-the-will-for-the-deed-2383_2383965.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eff/jonathan-swift-433_deed_you-must-take-the-will-for-the-deed-2383_2383965.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/eff/jonathan-swift-433_deed_you-must-take-the-will-for-the-deed-2383_2383965.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“You must take the will for the deed.” — Jonathan Swift", "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": "Jonathan Swift", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-swift/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "You must take the will for...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/you-must-take-the-will-for-the-deed/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-swift/you-must-take-the-will-for-the-deed/#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 } } ] } ```