--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We won’t be able to understand all our…" description: "\"“We won’t be able to understand all our actions all the way, right away. Sometimes we have to do things and we don’t know why until years later. We’re ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bb/kyle-eschenroeder-38281_communication_we-won-t-be-able-to-understand-all-our-a_1175956.jpg" --- # We won’t be able to understand all our actions all the… ![“We won’t be able to understand all our actions all the way, right away. Sometimes we have to do things and we don’t know why until years later. We’re sitting having a beer with an old friend and in the middle of the conversation we get hit with it. So that’s why I had to do that. Action takes…” quote by Kyle Eschenroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bb/kyle-eschenroeder-38281_communication_we-won-t-be-able-to-understand-all-our-a_1175956.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bb/kyle-eschenroeder-38281_communication_we-won-t-be-able-to-understand-all-our-a_1175956.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9bb/kyle-eschenroeder-38281_communication_we-won-t-be-able-to-understand-all-our-a_1175956.jpg) > ““We won’t be able to understand all our actions all the way, right away. Sometimes we have to do things and we don’t know why until years later. We’re sitting having a beer with an old friend and in the middle of the conversation we get hit with it. So that’s why I had to do that. Action takes faith. That it will make sense later. That the lessons you learned here matter. We are conscious of very little of what we understand. Do you think, “I better not touch the stove” when you know it’s hot? No. You understand it so thoroughly that you don’t require an explanation. Lessons learned through action have this kind of depth. No human can explain his or her life completely. Yet we go to great lengths to do just that. The most liberating response to, “Why did you do that?” Because I had to.”” [Kyle Eschenroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-eschenroeder/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Action often precedes understanding; we learn and find purpose through doing, even without immediate clarity. **In simple terms:** We learn by acting first. Key Takeaway Embrace action without full explanation. Themes action faith learning uncertainty purpose Mood reflective motivational Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - career choices - personal projects - spontaneous decisions - risk taking Key Concepts experiential learning psychology of decision making existential purpose Questions to Reflect On - What recent action taught you later? - How do you balance faith and reason? A Different Perspective Some may view this as reckless without reflection. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Communication](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Lessons learned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lessons-learned/) [Old friend](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/old-friend/) ## Related quotes > [I think a life of a human being is not something you can explain in a few interview questions. The stuff you do in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andreja-pejic/i-think-a-life-of-a-human-being-is-not-something-you-can-explain-in-a/) [Andreja Pejic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andreja-pejic/) > [You've learned that every action, as well as every failure to act, has consequences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ve-learned-that-every-action-as-well-as-every-failure-to-act-has/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We learned that we could move others to take action...Even though we couldn't stop the war, I discovered that I could be involved in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marla-ruzicka/we-learned-that-we-could-move-others-to-take-action-even-though-we/) Marla Ruzicka > [To be a real man or woman, you've got to know what you believe in. You've got to understand that your actions have consequences…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sister-souljah/to-be-a-real-man-or-woman-you-ve-got-to-know-what-you-believe-in-you/) [Sister Souljah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sister-souljah/) > [I don't understand the words but I understand the actions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blacksonrap/i-don-t-understand-the-words-but-i-understand-the-actions/) [Blacksonrap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blacksonrap/) > [Your small goals are clear and you understand the actions and know the path you need to take to reach these goals. In your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-charest/your-small-goals-are-clear-and-you-understand-the-actions-and-know/) [Jean Charest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-charest/) > [If you love me don't waste your precious time telling me because although you say it I won't hear it; just show me so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viviana/if-you-love-me-don-t-waste-your-precious-time-telling-me-because/) [Viviana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viviana/) > [Until you know the whole thing you will NEVER understand me and my actions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/until-you-know-the-whole-thing-you-will-never-understand-me-and-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [As a doctor, I understand how actions can affect lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ami-bera/as-a-doctor-i-understand-how-actions-can-affect-lives/) [Ami Bera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ami-bera/) > [Actions whose motives he cannot understand that is, actions not prompted by the hope of profit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-gide/actions-whose-motives-he-cannot-understand-that-is-actions-not/) [Andre Gide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-gide/) > [We must escape our illusions of correctness to understand the actions and beliefs of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-williams/we-must-escape-our-illusions-of-correctness-to-understand-the-actions/) [Bernard Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-williams/) > [I know that you believe you understand what you think I said, but I am not sure you realise that what you heard is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-know-that-you-believe-you-understand-what-you-think-i-said-but-i-am/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's important for a guy to know and understand me before he can even think about taking things to the next step.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mollie-king/it-s-important-for-a-guy-to-know-and-understand-me-before-he-can-even/) [Mollie King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mollie-king/) > [With any villain, you have to see things from their point of view and understand that they think what they're doing will make the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-morton/with-any-villain-you-have-to-see-things-from-their-point-of-view-and/) [Joe Morton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-morton/) > [“Be clear on whether you are arguing or seeking to understand, and think about which is most appropriate based on your and others’ believability.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/be-clear-on-whether-you-are-arguing-or-seeking-to-understand-and/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) ## More by Kyle Eschenroeder > [“ACTION WILL BE YOUR LEGACY “He who has a vehement desire for posthumous fame does not consider that every one of those who remember…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-eschenroeder/action-will-be-your-legacy-he-who-has-a-vehement-desire-for/) [Kyle Eschenroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-eschenroeder/) > [“Our fatal mistake is waiting to be motivated before we take action. Action motivates.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-eschenroeder/our-fatal-mistake-is-waiting-to-be-motivated-before-we-take-action/) [Kyle Eschenroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-eschenroeder/) > [“Right action is not reactive, it is proactive. It is independent of others’ immediate demands on your time. Checking email, Facebook, and Twitter upon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-eschenroeder/right-action-is-not-reactive-it-is-proactive-it-is-independent-of/) [Kyle Eschenroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-eschenroeder/) > [“When Mother told you the fire would be painful, did you believe her? Did you become adept at basic arithmetic when your teacher gave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-eschenroeder/when-mother-told-you-the-fire-would-be-painful-did-you-believe-her/) [Kyle Eschenroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-eschenroeder/) > [“ACTION FREES YOU FROM IDEOLOGY “The world is always close to catastrophe. But it seems to be closer now. Seeing this approaching catastrophe, most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-eschenroeder/action-frees-you-from-ideology-the-world-is-always-close-to/) [Kyle Eschenroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-eschenroeder/) > [ “A lesson I learned from this ancient \[Greek\] culture is the notion of megalopsychon (a term expressed in Aristotle’s ethics), a sense of grandeur… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-eschenroeder/a-lesson-i-learned-from-this-ancient-greek-culture-is-the-notion-of/) [Kyle Eschenroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-eschenroeder/) > [“We don’t consider refusing to choose as a choice. We think we’re safe if we don’t expose ourselves to failure. 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Think about what happens every time you go on a motivational…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-eschenroeder/you-don-t-need-another-motivational-quote-laid-over-a-picture-of-a/) [Kyle Eschenroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-eschenroeder/) > [“SUCKERS TRY TO WIN ARGUMENTS, NON-SUCKERS TRY TO WIN.”—NASSIM TALEB Action is about the ultimate win—it transcends argument. Argument is derived from (and therefore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-eschenroeder/suckers-try-to-win-arguments-non-suckers-try-to-win-nassim-taleb/) [Kyle Eschenroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-eschenroeder/) > [“Nobel Prize winner Herbert Simon postulated that people can be divided into two groups: Maximizers and Satisficers. Whether they’re choosing a restaurant, college, or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kyle-eschenroeder/nobel-prize-winner-herbert-simon-postulated-that-people-can-be/) [Kyle Eschenroeder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-eschenroeder/) [Explore all 12 Kyle Eschenroeder quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kyle-eschenroeder/) ## More Communication quotes > [Some people still believe you should just fall in line with what's going on - and that's scary. It makes a mockery of freedom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-robison/some-people-still-believe-you-should-just-fall-in-line-with-what-s/) [Emily Robison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-robison/) > [The problem posed by indirect speech acts is the problem of how it is possible for the speaker to say one thing and mean…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-searle/the-problem-posed-by-indirect-speech-acts-is-the-problem-of-how-it-is/) [John Searle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-searle/) > [We should have a conversation when we hang up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benedict-cumberbatch/we-should-have-a-conversation-when-we-hang-up/) [Benedict Cumberbatch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benedict-cumberbatch/) > [Sing like no one's listening, love like you've never been hurt, dance like nobody's watching, and live like its heaven on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/sing-like-no-one-s-listening-love-like-you-ve-never-been-hurt-dance/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [A poet is wounded into speech, and he examines these wounds, meticulously, to discover how to heal them. The bad poet harangues at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-r-delany/a-poet-is-wounded-into-speech-and-he-examines-these-wounds/) [Samuel R. Delany](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-r-delany/) > [“To engage in dialogue is to serve others via whatever is real inside you; to engage in debate is to ultimately serve the illusions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oli-anderson/to-engage-in-dialogue-is-to-serve-others-via-whatever-is-real-inside/) [Oli Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oli-anderson/) > [What it comes down to for me is this: Will the technologies of communication in our culture, serve to enlighten us and help us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-waters/what-it-comes-down-to-for-me-is-this-will-the-technologies-of/) [Roger Waters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-waters/) > [In dialogue, there is opposition, yes, but no head-on collision. Smashing heads does not open minds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-tannen/in-dialogue-there-is-opposition-yes-but-no-head-on-collision-smashing/) [Deborah Tannen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-tannen/) > [A dialogue is very important. It is a form of communication in which question and answer continue till a question is left without an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/a-dialogue-is-very-important-it-is-a-form-of-communication-in-which/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [I get afraid of the dark if I'm in a great deal of dark, and I have to move around inside of that fear...…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emil-ferris/i-get-afraid-of-the-dark-if-i-m-in-a-great-deal-of-dark-and-i-have-to/) [Emil Ferris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emil-ferris/) > [I've been in a serious conversation with one of my children, and a fan has come up. I've been in a public bathroom and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-reddy/i-ve-been-in-a-serious-conversation-with-one-of-my-children-and-a-fan/) [Helen Reddy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-reddy/) > [Life as we know it is fundamentally unsatisfying. I think most folks feel this to be true. They know that a life of aimless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-yates/life-as-we-know-it-is-fundamentally-unsatisfying-i-think-most-folks/) [Michael Yates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-yates/) > [Disability, in general, hasn't been included in the conversation about inclusivity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-winston-george/disability-in-general-hasn-t-been-included-in-the-conversation-about/) [Jason Winston George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-winston-george/) > [“Women will be at least 50 percent of the communications community workforce … from executive suite to interns. Why? The “integrated” agency will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yoram-wind/women-will-be-at-least-50-percent-of-the-communications-community/) Yoram Wind > [There are certain things you must not say in spite of the fact that supposedly democracy means free speech. No. You are not allowed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-eubank-sr/there-are-certain-things-you-must-not-say-in-spite-of-the-fact-that/) [Chris Eubank Sr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-eubank-sr/) [Browse all 21,506 Communication quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/communication/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We won’t be able to understand all our actions all the way, right away. Sometimes we have to do things and we don’t know why until years later. We’re sitting having a beer with an old friend and in the middle of the conversation we get hit with it. So that’s why I had to do that. Action takes faith. That it will make sense later. That the lessons you learned here matter. We are conscious of very little of what we understand. Do you think, “I better not touch the stove” when you know it’s hot? No. You understand it so thoroughly that you don’t require an explanation. Lessons learned through action have this kind of depth. No human can explain his or her life completely. Yet we go to great lengths to do just that. 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