Behavior Quote by Lettie Cowman
“In the deep jungles of Africa, a traveler was making a long trek. Coolies had been engaged from a tribe to carry the loads. The first day they marched rapidly and went far. The traveler had high hopes of a speedy journey. But the second morning these jungle tribesmen refused to move. For some strange reason they just sat and rested. On inquiry as to the reason for this strange behavior, the traveler was informed that they had gone too fast the first day, and that they were now waiting for their souls to catch up with their bodies.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Life and Work of Lettie Cowman, 1915
Pushing too hard early can cause burnout, requiring a pause to recover and align mind and body.
In simple terms: Going too fast leads to fatigue and need for rest.
Key Takeaway
Balance effort with recovery.
Themes
balance
burnout
selfcare
tempo
mindbody
Mood
reflective
calm
cautious
Type
advice
reflective
philosophical
When to use this quote
- long hikes
- project planning
- marathon training
- startup development
- creative work
Key Concepts
sustainability
human limits
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you gauge sustainable pace?
- What signals tell you to rest?
A Different Perspective
If you ignore early fatigue, you may face larger setbacks later.
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