--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Those who have chosen the path of least…" description: "\"Those who have chosen the path of least resistance in life, who cannot bear to bring themselves to make a stern value-judgment in criticism of their ow..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e7/kenny-smith-2406_accomplish_those-who-have-chosen-the-path-of-least_2697262.jpg" --- # Those who have chosen the path of least resistance in… ![“Those who have chosen the path of least resistance in life, who cannot bear to bring themselves to make a stern value-judgment in criticism of their own most intimate feelings, achieve what they deserve: not self-understanding but radical self-superficialization, not a discovered but a…” quote by Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e7/kenny-smith-2406_accomplish_those-who-have-chosen-the-path-of-least_2697262.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e7/kenny-smith-2406_accomplish_those-who-have-chosen-the-path-of-least_2697262.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4e7/kenny-smith-2406_accomplish_those-who-have-chosen-the-path-of-least_2697262.jpg) > “Those who have chosen the path of least resistance in life, who cannot bear to bring themselves to make a stern value-judgment in criticism of their own most intimate feelings, achieve what they deserve: not self-understanding but radical self-superficialization, not a discovered but a self-ascribed identity that explains nothing, reveals nothing, means nothing, and ultimately accomplishes nothing culturally or intellectually.” [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Avoiding self‑criticism leads to superficial identity and cultural emptiness; genuine self‑understanding requires confronting uncomfortable feelings. **In simple terms:** Avoiding self‑criticism creates shallow identity. Key Takeaway Embrace honest self‑reflection for deeper growth. Themes self‑criticism identity growth culture Mood introspective challenging motivational Type philosophical psychological self-help When to use this quote - personal development - therapy - creative work - academic study Key Concepts authenticity psychological depth intellectual honesty Questions to Reflect On - What fears prevent you from critiquing yourself? - How can you balance self‑compassion with honest critique? A Different Perspective May be too harsh for those struggling with mental health. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accomplish nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplish-nothing/) [Bears](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bears/) [Criticism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/criticism/) [Feelings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feelings/) [Identity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/identity/) [Intimate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intimate/) [Judgment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judgment/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) [Path of least resistance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path-of-least-resistance/) [Radical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/radical/) [Resistance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resistance/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-understanding/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) ## Related quotes > [We who deny freedom to other deserve it not for our self and under a just God can not retain it long.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/u/we-who-deny-freedom-to-other-deserve-it-not-for-our-self-and-under-a/) U > [“I've always believed that we don't choose the life we want, we choose the life we think we deserve. We self-sabotage as a way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/i-ve-always-believed-that-we-don-t-choose-the-life-we-want-we-choose/) [Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/) > [You don't have to do anything especially worthy to create or deserve self-esteem; all you have to do is turn off that critical, haranguing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/you-don-t-have-to-do-anything-especially-worthy-to-create-or-deserve/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [“Unplugging from digital distractions is an act of radical self-care and rebellion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ken-breniman/unplugging-from-digital-distractions-is-an-act-of-radical-self-care/) [Ken Breniman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ken-breniman/) > [That's about 90 percent of my theological life - radical self-care. Put your own oxygen mask on first. I watch the self-talk that goes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/that-s-about-90-percent-of-my-theological-life-radical-self-care-put/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [Radical self-care is quantum, and radiates out into the atmosphere, like a little fresh air. It is a huge gift to the world. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/radical-self-care-is-quantum-and-radiates-out-into-the-atmosphere-2/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“The problem is that the pervasiveness of technology and mass marketing is screwing up a lot of people’s expectations for themselves. The inundation of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-manson/the-problem-is-that-the-pervasiveness-of-technology-and-mass/) [Mark Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-manson/) > [Radical self-care is what we've been longing for, desperate for, our entire lives-friendship with our own hearts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/radical-self-care-is-what-we-ve-been-longing-for-desperate-for-our/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [“He should have made a checklist for every step of this transformational journey to radical self-expression.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/armistead-maupin/he-should-have-made-a-checklist-for-every-step-of-this/) [Armistead Maupin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/armistead-maupin/) > [Even in an intensely mediated world, in a world that offers at least the illusion of radical self-invention and radical freedom of choice, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-franzen/even-in-an-intensely-mediated-world-in-a-world-that-offers-at-least/) [Jonathan Franzen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-franzen/) > [Radical self-care is quantum, and radiates out into the atmosphere, like a little fresh air.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-lamott/radical-self-care-is-quantum-and-radiates-out-into-the-atmosphere/) [Anne Lamott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-lamott/) > [The first step in this process of mindfulness is radical self-acceptance .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-batchelor/the-first-step-in-this-process-of-mindfulness-is-radical-self/) [Stephen Batchelor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-batchelor/) > [There is great power in focusing on what you want… The person who tries to do everything accomplishes nothing. Most people try to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-sharma/there-is-great-power-in-focusing-on-what-you-want-the-person-who/) [Robin Sharma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-sharma/) > [Talent without craft is like fuel without an engine, it burns wildly but accomplishes nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-mckee/talent-without-craft-is-like-fuel-without-an-engine-it-burns-wildly/) [Robert McKee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-mckee/) > [It's the lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believe in myself. He who is not courageous enough to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/it-s-the-lack-of-faith-that-makes-people-afraid-of-meeting-challenges-2/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) ## More by Kenny Smith > [The approach of intellect or noesis will forever be an effete and limited sort of thing by contrast with the vigor and color of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/the-approach-of-intellect-or-noesis-will-forever-be-an-effete-and/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [One can hardly appreciate how academia has perverted its highest tasks and "ideals" without pondering long and hard the implications of Jacques Barzun's House…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/one-can-hardly-appreciate-how-academia-has-perverted-its-highest/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [When academics claim a topic is obsolete, they mean merely they are tired of flogging it with their cliches.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/when-academics-claim-a-topic-is-obsolete-they-mean-merely-they-are/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [If you look at the NBA, it's the richest and wealthiest group of African-American men in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/if-you-look-at-the-nba-it-s-the-richest-and-wealthiest-group-of/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [In late modernity we grow more and more accustomed to politicians and public figures who are indebted to their appetites for their "values," to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/in-late-modernity-we-grow-more-and-more-accustomed-to-politicians-and/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [How infinitely happier and more grateful is the whole personality or spirit when it finds something nourishing in art or writing or thinking, than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/how-infinitely-happier-and-more-grateful-is-the-whole-personality-or/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [There are a lot more famous fathers out there than me with daughters who wouldn't mind singing careers... but the talent and the work…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/there-are-a-lot-more-famous-fathers-out-there-than-me-with-daughters/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [Games like 'Call of Duty' and 'NBA Baller Beats' have so much to them. I was more of the 'Pac-Man' generation where we were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/games-like-call-of-duty-and-nba-baller-beats-have-so-much-to-them-i/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [The Rockets have a philosophy of what they think their coach should be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/the-rockets-have-a-philosophy-of-what-they-think-their-coach-should-be/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [I've played more park games than NBA games, and I had a 10-year NBA career.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/i-ve-played-more-park-games-than-nba-games-and-i-had-a-10-year-nba/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) > [I'm always the neutral guy, man. 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There's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-smith/ncaa-is-looking-at-how-to-do-a-better-job-enforcing-their-rules/) [Kenny Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) [Explore all 168 Kenny Smith quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-smith/) ## More Accomplish quotes > [Learn to see the big picture. Often times we get tunnel vision and lose sight of the big picture and what we're really trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-cheeke/learn-to-see-the-big-picture-often-times-we-get-tunnel-vision-and/) [Robert Cheeke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-cheeke/) > [You know, by the time you reach my age, you've made plenty of mistakes if you've lived your life properly. So you learn. You…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/you-know-by-the-time-you-reach-my-age-you-ve-made-plenty-of-mistakes/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [I work every day. 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But I derive my hope above all, and most especially, from our utter incapacity, for it… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-guerin/the-community-s-crosses-and-trials-give-me-confidence-but-i-derive-my/) [Theodore Guerin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-guerin/) > [There's things that you want to accomplish, but to do that you have to work. That's the name of the game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-schwarber/there-s-things-that-you-want-to-accomplish-but-to-do-that-you-have-to/) [Kyle Schwarber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-schwarber/) > [To accomplish much you must first lose everything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/che-guevara/to-accomplish-much-you-must-first-lose-everything/) [Che Guevara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/che-guevara/) > [We have to think about the future and what it is we want to accomplish from this party.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddie-bernice-johnson/we-have-to-think-about-the-future-and-what-it-is-we-want-to/) [Eddie Bernice Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddie-bernice-johnson/) > [Everything that I have ever hoped to accomplish, she has done and done better than anyone I have ever seen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-hathaway/everything-that-i-have-ever-hoped-to-accomplish-she-has-done-and-done/) [Anne Hathaway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-hathaway/) > [There's a lot that I want to accomplish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/there-s-a-lot-that-i-want-to-accomplish/) [George W. 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