--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Self-complacen cy is fatal to progress." description: "\"Self-complacen cy is fatal to progress.\" — Margaret Elizabeth Sangster" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e32/margaret-elizabeth-sangster-18_progress_self-complacen-cy-is-fatal-to-progress-1_1378494.jpg" --- # Self-complacen cy is fatal to progress. ![“Self-complacen cy is fatal to progress.” quote by Margaret Elizabeth Sangster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e32/margaret-elizabeth-sangster-18_progress_self-complacen-cy-is-fatal-to-progress-1_1378494.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e32/margaret-elizabeth-sangster-18_progress_self-complacen-cy-is-fatal-to-progress-1_1378494.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e32/margaret-elizabeth-sangster-18_progress_self-complacen-cy-is-fatal-to-progress-1_1378494.jpg) > “Self-complacen cy is fatal to progress.” [Margaret Elizabeth Sangster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Thinking one is satisfied hinders growth because it stops the drive to improve. **In simple terms:** Being overly satisfied stops growth. Key Takeaway Avoid complacency; seek continual improvement. Themes self-improvement growth complacency Mood reflective determined Type advice motivational When to use this quote - career advancement - personal development - learning new skills - creative projects Key Concepts psychology motivation self-awareness Questions to Reflect On - What areas of your life feel stagnant? - How can you balance contentment with ambition? A Different Perspective Complacency can be a protective coping mechanism in stressful times. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cy Fatal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cy-fatal-4768325/) [Fatal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fatal/) [Fatal Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fatal-progress-2875311/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self Complacen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-complacen-4768326/) ## Related quotes > [Nothing can be more fatal to progress than a too confident reliance on mathematical symbols; for the student is only too apt to take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-kelvin/nothing-can-be-more-fatal-to-progress-than-a-too-confident-reliance/) [Lord Kelvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-kelvin/) > [“Nothing is so fatal to the progress of the human mind as to suppose our views of science are ultimate; that there are no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/humphrey-davy/nothing-is-so-fatal-to-the-progress-of-the-human-mind-as-to-suppose/) [Humphrey Davy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/humphrey-davy/) > [“He came to destroy sin because it is fatal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/he-came-to-destroy-sin-because-it-is-fatal/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [The fatal futility of Fact.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-james/the-fatal-futility-of-fact/) [Henry James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-james/) > [Ignorance, as they say, is usually fatal, but sometimes it can be bliss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/ignorance-as-they-say-is-usually-fatal-but-sometimes-it-can-be-bliss/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [Travel is fatal to bigotry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/travel-is-fatal-to-bigotry/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [To hunt for symbols in a fairy tale is absolutely fatal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-h-auden/to-hunt-for-symbols-in-a-fairy-tale-is-absolutely-fatal/) [W. H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-h-auden/) > [The most fatal thing a man can do is try to stand alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carson-mccullers/the-most-fatal-thing-a-man-can-do-is-try-to-stand-alone/) [Carson McCullers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carson-mccullers/) > [“Most people do not realize that they are one car crash away from death.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/most-people-do-not-realize-that-they-are-one-car-crash-away-from-death/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [“The habit of thinking in terms of comparison is a fatal one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/the-habit-of-thinking-in-terms-of-comparison-is-a-fatal-one/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [It is fatal to one's artistic life to talk about something this is in process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/it-is-fatal-to-one-s-artistic-life-to-talk-about-something-this-is-in/) [Denise Levertov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/) > [I think if we can prevent a fatal disease, we should.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-pisani/i-think-if-we-can-prevent-a-fatal-disease-we-should/) [Elizabeth Pisani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-pisani/) > [Success is never final; failure is never fatal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-hilton/success-is-never-final-failure-is-never-fatal/) [Conrad Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-hilton/) > [Reverence is fatal to literature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster/reverence-is-fatal-to-literature/) [E. M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster/) > [“So...what are you delivering today -- pizza or death?" "Both, actually.  Pepperoni for you now, and a fatal aneurism to the woman in room…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-vincent/so-what-are-you-delivering-today-pizza-or-death-both-actually/) [Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) ## More by Margaret Elizabeth Sangster > [On the day long after childhood when I suddenly heard of his death, the sky grew dark above my head. I was walking on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/on-the-day-long-after-childhood-when-i-suddenly-heard-of-his-death/) [Margaret Elizabeth Sangster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/) > [In the whole round of human affairs little is so fatal to peace as misunderstanding.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/in-the-whole-round-of-human-affairs-little-is-so-fatal-to-peace-as/) [Margaret Elizabeth Sangster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/) > [No one should teach who is not in love with teaching.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/no-one-should-teach-who-is-not-in-love-with-teaching/) [Margaret Elizabeth Sangster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/) > [Broadly speaking, nervous women may be divided into two classes - those who are really nervous, and those who imagine themselves to be so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/broadly-speaking-nervous-women-may-be-divided-into-two-classes-those/) [Margaret Elizabeth Sangster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/) > [Love is like fire, a dangerous thing to play with, although the best of friends and the most loyal of servants when rightly handled.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/love-is-like-fire-a-dangerous-thing-to-play-with-although-the-best-of/) [Margaret Elizabeth Sangster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/) > [I would not, if I could, give up the memory of the joy I have had in books for any advantage that could be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/i-would-not-if-i-could-give-up-the-memory-of-the-joy-i-have-had-in/) [Margaret Elizabeth Sangster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/) > [Spring is beautiful, and summer is perfect for vacations, but autumn brings a longing to get away from the unreal things of life, out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/spring-is-beautiful-and-summer-is-perfect-for-vacations-but-autumn/) [Margaret Elizabeth Sangster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/) > [... Love is heaven and claims its own.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/love-is-heaven-and-claims-its-own/) [Margaret Elizabeth Sangster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/) > [I thank you, God, in Heaven, for friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/i-thank-you-god-in-heaven-for-friends/) [Margaret Elizabeth Sangster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/) > [Not always the fanciest cake that's there Is the best to eat!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/not-always-the-fanciest-cake-that-s-there-is-the-best-to-eat/) [Margaret Elizabeth Sangster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/) > [Memory is a trustworthy servant as long as it is made to serve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/memory-is-a-trustworthy-servant-as-long-as-it-is-made-to-serve/) [Margaret Elizabeth Sangster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/) > [My own opinion is that youthfulness of feeling is retained, as is youthfulness of appearance, by constant use of the intellect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/my-own-opinion-is-that-youthfulness-of-feeling-is-retained-as-is/) [Margaret Elizabeth Sangster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/) > [God made the forests, the tiny stars, and the wild winds-and I think that he made them partly as a balance for that kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/god-made-the-forests-the-tiny-stars-and-the-wild-winds-and-i-think/) [Margaret Elizabeth Sangster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/) > [At Christmas-tide the open hand Scatters its bounty o'er sea and land, And none are left to grieve alone, For Love is heaven and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/at-christmas-tide-the-open-hand-scatters-its-bounty-o-er-sea-and-land/) [Margaret Elizabeth Sangster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/) > [Theres nothing half so pleasant as coming home again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/theres-nothing-half-so-pleasant-as-coming-home-again/) [Margaret Elizabeth Sangster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/) [Explore all 34 Margaret Elizabeth Sangster quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/) ## More Fatal quotes > [“So...what are you delivering today -- pizza or death?" "Both, actually.  Pepperoni for you now, and a fatal aneurism to the woman in room…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-vincent/so-what-are-you-delivering-today-pizza-or-death-both-actually/) [Rachel Vincent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-vincent/) > [Reverence is fatal to literature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-m-forster/reverence-is-fatal-to-literature/) [E. M. Forster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-m-forster/) > [Success is never final; failure is never fatal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/conrad-hilton/success-is-never-final-failure-is-never-fatal/) [Conrad Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/conrad-hilton/) > [I think if we can prevent a fatal disease, we should.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-pisani/i-think-if-we-can-prevent-a-fatal-disease-we-should/) [Elizabeth Pisani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-pisani/) > [It is fatal to one's artistic life to talk about something this is in process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-levertov/it-is-fatal-to-one-s-artistic-life-to-talk-about-something-this-is-in/) [Denise Levertov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-levertov/) > [“The habit of thinking in terms of comparison is a fatal one.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/the-habit-of-thinking-in-terms-of-comparison-is-a-fatal-one/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [“Most people do not realize that they are one car crash away from death.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-magee/most-people-do-not-realize-that-they-are-one-car-crash-away-from-death/) [Steven Magee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-magee/) > [The most fatal thing a man can do is try to stand alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carson-mccullers/the-most-fatal-thing-a-man-can-do-is-try-to-stand-alone/) [Carson McCullers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carson-mccullers/) > [To hunt for symbols in a fairy tale is absolutely fatal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/w-h-auden/to-hunt-for-symbols-in-a-fairy-tale-is-absolutely-fatal/) [W. H. Auden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-h-auden/) > [Travel is fatal to bigotry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/travel-is-fatal-to-bigotry/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [Ignorance, as they say, is usually fatal, but sometimes it can be bliss.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eoin-colfer/ignorance-as-they-say-is-usually-fatal-but-sometimes-it-can-be-bliss/) [Eoin Colfer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eoin-colfer/) > [The fatal futility of Fact.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-james/the-fatal-futility-of-fact/) [Henry James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-james/) > [“He came to destroy sin because it is fatal.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-piper/he-came-to-destroy-sin-because-it-is-fatal/) [John Piper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-piper/) > [“Fatal is fatal, but it doesn't have to be all downhill.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lori-lansens/fatal-is-fatal-but-it-doesn-t-have-to-be-all-downhill/) [Lori Lansens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lori-lansens/) > [“Pursuing a dream without God’s approval is as dangerous as walking on a rope bridge over a big gutter? Guess the end….!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/pursuing-a-dream-without-god-s-approval-is-as-dangerous-as-walking-on/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) [Browse all 186 Fatal quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fatal/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Self-complacen cy is fatal to progress.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Margaret Elizabeth Sangster" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/self-complacen-cy-is-fatal-to-progress/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Fatal" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/self-complacen-cy-is-fatal-to-progress/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e32/margaret-elizabeth-sangster-18_progress_self-complacen-cy-is-fatal-to-progress-1_1378494.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e32/margaret-elizabeth-sangster-18_progress_self-complacen-cy-is-fatal-to-progress-1_1378494.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e32/margaret-elizabeth-sangster-18_progress_self-complacen-cy-is-fatal-to-progress-1_1378494.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Self-complacen cy is fatal to progress.” — Margaret Elizabeth Sangster", "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": "Margaret Elizabeth Sangster", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Self-complacen cy is fatal to progress.", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/self-complacen-cy-is-fatal-to-progress/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-elizabeth-sangster/self-complacen-cy-is-fatal-to-progress/#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 } } ] } ```