--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Once a depressed person becomes active…" description: "\"Once a depressed person becomes active and hopeful, self-esteem always improves. Bolstering self-esteem without changing hopelessness, without changing..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66b/martin-seligman-5268_accomplish_once-a-depressed-person-becomes-active-a_386780.png" --- # Once a depressed person becomes active and hopeful… ![“Once a depressed person becomes active and hopeful, self-esteem always improves. Bolstering self-esteem without changing hopelessness, without changing passivity, accomplishes nothing.” quote by Martin Seligman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66b/martin-seligman-5268_accomplish_once-a-depressed-person-becomes-active-a_386780.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66b/martin-seligman-5268_accomplish_once-a-depressed-person-becomes-active-a_386780.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/66b/martin-seligman-5268_accomplish_once-a-depressed-person-becomes-active-a_386780.png) > “Once a depressed person becomes active and hopeful, self-esteem always improves. Bolstering self-esteem without changing hopelessness, without changing passivity, accomplishes nothing.” [Martin Seligman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-seligman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Active hope and engagement boost self‑esteem, but without reducing hopelessness or passivity the gain is fleeting. **In simple terms:** Hopeful action lifts self‑esteem, but not if hopelessness stays. Key Takeaway Address both hope and passivity together. Themes psychology self‑esteem hope activity behavioral change Mood reflective motivational Type advice psychological self‑help When to use this quote - therapy sessions - personal coaching - rehab programs - education settings Key Concepts Cognitive behavioral therapy self‑determination theory Questions to Reflect On - How can you reduce passivity while building hope? - What steps increase both hope and action? A Different Perspective If hopelessness remains, self‑esteem gains may be temporary. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accomplish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplish/) [Accomplish nothing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplish-nothing/) [Active](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/active/) [Depressed person](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depressed-person/) [Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/depression/) [Esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/esteem/) [Esteem Changing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/esteem-changing-3496711/) [Esteem Improves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/esteem-improves-3496710/) [Hopeful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hopeful/) [Hopelessness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hopelessness/) [Hopelessness Changing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hopelessness-changing-3496712/) [Passivity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/passivity/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-esteem/) ## Related quotes > [It's the lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believe in myself. 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