--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I only think well when my mind is calm." description: "\"I only think well when my mind is calm.\" — Mikhail Botvinnik" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64d/mikhail-botvinnik-17702_calm_i-only-think-well-when-my-mind-is-calm-2_2805057.jpg" --- # I only think well when my mind is calm. ![“I only think well when my mind is calm.” quote by Mikhail Botvinnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64d/mikhail-botvinnik-17702_calm_i-only-think-well-when-my-mind-is-calm-2_2805057.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64d/mikhail-botvinnik-17702_calm_i-only-think-well-when-my-mind-is-calm-2_2805057.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64d/mikhail-botvinnik-17702_calm_i-only-think-well-when-my-mind-is-calm-2_2805057.jpg) > “I only think well when my mind is calm.” [Mikhail Botvinnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-botvinnik/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Calmness of mind enhances clear thinking and decision making. **In simple terms:** A calm mind thinks better. Key Takeaway Cultivate mental calm before tasks. Themes focus mental clarity performance Mood contemplative focused Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - high‑pressure games - creative work - stressful negotiations Key Concepts mindfulness cognitive psychology flow state Questions to Reflect On - How can you create calm in chaotic moments? - What practices help you maintain mental tranquility? A Different Perspective Calmness may be hard to achieve under extreme stress. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Calm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calm/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [In meditation, healing can happen. When the mind is calm, alert and totally contented, then it is like a laser beam - it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/in-meditation-healing-can-happen-when-the-mind-is-calm-alert-and/) [Sri Sri Ravi Shankar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-sri-ravi-shankar/) > [Fitness is not just about the body. It is also about the mind. It is the mental pressure that leads to physical ailments. Therefore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-sinha/fitness-is-not-just-about-the-body-it-is-also-about-the-mind-it-is/) [Anil Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-sinha/) > [Breathing is central to every aspect of meditation training. It's a wonderful place to focus in training the mind to be calm and concentrated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-kabat-zinn/breathing-is-central-to-every-aspect-of-meditation-training-it-s-a/) [Jon Kabat-Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-kabat-zinn/) > [Meditation does not mean just sitting quietly for five or ten minutes. It requires conscious effort. The mind has to be made calm and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-chinmoy/meditation-does-not-mean-just-sitting-quietly-for-five-or-ten-minutes/) [Sri Chinmoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-chinmoy/) > [When we speak of a calm state of mind or peace of mind, we shouldn't confuse that with an insensitive state of apathy. Having…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/when-we-speak-of-a-calm-state-of-mind-or-peace-of-mind-we-shouldn-t/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [“When your breath is slow and deep, your mind calm, raise your hands and focus on your palms. You will feel the subtle energy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ilchi-lee/when-your-breath-is-slow-and-deep-your-mind-calm-raise-your-hands-and/) [Ilchi Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ilchi-lee/) > [Intuition is soul guidance, appearing naturally in man during those instants when his mind is calm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/intuition-is-soul-guidance-appearing-naturally-in-man-during-those/) [Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/) > [Once you are experienced, your mind is calm and at ease.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shikhar-dhawan/once-you-are-experienced-your-mind-is-calm-and-at-ease/) [Shikhar Dhawan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shikhar-dhawan/) > [“If you put your mind in calm, the world will put you in peace.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chhenghak-yang/if-you-put-your-mind-in-calm-the-world-will-put-you-in-peace/) Chhenghak Yang > [If the mind is calm, your spontaneity and honest thoughts appear. You become more spontaneous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chade-meng-tan/if-the-mind-is-calm-your-spontaneity-and-honest-thoughts-appear-you/) [Chade-Meng Tan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chade-meng-tan/) > [Disputation carries away the mind from that calm and sedate temper which is so necessary to contemplate truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-watts/disputation-carries-away-the-mind-from-that-calm-and-sedate-temper/) [Isaac Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-watts/) > [Less oft peace in Shelley's mind, Than calm in waters seen.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/less-oft-peace-in-shelley-s-mind-than-calm-in-waters-seen/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [When you meditate you have to try to quiet and calm the mind. There should be no thought within the mind. Right now you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-chinmoy/when-you-meditate-you-have-to-try-to-quiet-and-calm-the-mind-there/) [Sri Chinmoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-chinmoy/) > [As you focus your attention on the heart center, you will begin to feel your thoughts slowing down. You'll begin to feel your mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/as-you-focus-your-attention-on-the-heart-center-you-will-begin-to/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Remember to keep the mind calm in difficult moments.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/remember-to-keep-the-mind-calm-in-difficult-moments/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) ## More by Mikhail Botvinnik > [If Tal would learn to program himself properly, then it would become quite impossible to play against him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-botvinnik/if-tal-would-learn-to-program-himself-properly-then-it-would-become/) [Mikhail Botvinnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-botvinnik/) > [Yes, I have played a blitz game once. It was on a train, in 1929.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-botvinnik/yes-i-have-played-a-blitz-game-once-it-was-on-a-train-in-1929/) [Mikhail Botvinnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-botvinnik/) > [It must be clearly understood that Soviet players do not seek simple systems in the opening, but try to formulate opening systems in which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-botvinnik/it-must-be-clearly-understood-that-soviet-players-do-not-seek-simple/) [Mikhail Botvinnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-botvinnik/) > [Capablanca's play produced and still produces an irresistable artistic effect. In his games a tendency towards simplicity predominated, and in this simplicity there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-botvinnik/capablanca-s-play-produced-and-still-produces-an-irresistable/) [Mikhail Botvinnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-botvinnik/) > [The boy (then a 12 year old boy named Anatoly Karpov)doesn't have a clue about Chess, and there's no future at all for him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-botvinnik/the-boy-then-a-12-year-old-boy-named-anatoly-karpov-doesn-t-have-a/) [Mikhail Botvinnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-botvinnik/) > [Every great master will find it useful to have his own theory on the openings, which only he himself knows, a theory which is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-botvinnik/every-great-master-will-find-it-useful-to-have-his-own-theory-on-the/) [Mikhail Botvinnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-botvinnik/) > [Along with my retirement from chess analytical work seems to have gone too.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-botvinnik/along-with-my-retirement-from-chess-analytical-work-seems-to-have/) [Mikhail Botvinnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-botvinnik/) > [Everything is in a state of flux, and this includes the world of Chess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-botvinnik/everything-is-in-a-state-of-flux-and-this-includes-the-world-of-chess/) [Mikhail Botvinnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-botvinnik/) > [It is peculiar but a fact nevertheless, that the gamblers in chess have enthusiastic followers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-botvinnik/it-is-peculiar-but-a-fact-nevertheless-that-the-gamblers-in-chess/) [Mikhail Botvinnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-botvinnik/) > [The triumph of the analytical movement, which formed in the '30's and '40's, was precisely what earned the Soviet masters the acclaim of chessplayers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-botvinnik/the-triumph-of-the-analytical-movement-which-formed-in-the-30-s-and/) [Mikhail Botvinnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-botvinnik/) > [Before Geller we did not understand the King's Indian Defence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-botvinnik/before-geller-we-did-not-understand-the-king-s-indian-defence/) [Mikhail Botvinnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-botvinnik/) > [You have to accustom yourself to practical study at home, you have to devote time to studies, to the history of chess, the development…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-botvinnik/you-have-to-accustom-yourself-to-practical-study-at-home-you-have-to/) [Mikhail Botvinnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-botvinnik/) > [Suddenly it was obvious to me in my analysis I had missed what Fischer had found with the greatest of ease at the board](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-botvinnik/suddenly-it-was-obvious-to-me-in-my-analysis-i-had-missed-what/) [Mikhail Botvinnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-botvinnik/) > [I ... have two vocations: chess and engineering. If I played chess only, I believe that my success would not have been significantly greater.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-botvinnik/i-have-two-vocations-chess-and-engineering-if-i-played-chess-only-i/) [Mikhail Botvinnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-botvinnik/) > [If Tal sacrifices a piece, take it. If Petrosian sacrifices a piece, don't take it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-botvinnik/if-tal-sacrifices-a-piece-take-it-if-petrosian-sacrifices-a-piece-don/) [Mikhail Botvinnik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-botvinnik/) [Explore all 36 Mikhail Botvinnik quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-botvinnik/) ## More Calm quotes > [Grandma, please. It’s okay. Dad’s doing a great job. I give him kudos for at least being calm and rational, and not losing his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/grandma-please-it-s-okay-dad-s-doing-a-great-job-i-give-him-kudos-for/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“After the storm, reigns the calm.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simdi-onuora/after-the-storm-reigns-the-calm/) Simdi Onuora > [So mightiest powers buy deepest calms are fed, And sleep, how oft, in things that gentlest be!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-procter/so-mightiest-powers-buy-deepest-calms-are-fed-and-sleep-how-oft-in/) [Bryan Procter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-procter/) > [KEEP CALM and HAVE A SUGAR CUBE](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-collins/keep-calm-and-have-a-sugar-cube/) [Suzanne Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-collins/) > [To practice Aikido fully you must calm the spirit and go back to the origin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morihei-ueshiba/to-practice-aikido-fully-you-must-calm-the-spirit-and-go-back-to-the/) [Morihei Ueshiba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morihei-ueshiba/) > [You imagine that I look back on my life's work with calm satisfaction. But from nearby it looks quite different. There is not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/you-imagine-that-i-look-back-on-my-life-s-work-with-calm-satisfaction/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [Don't get divorced after your first argument! I have a lot of friends that have one fight and that's it, they get divorced. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelly-ripa/don-t-get-divorced-after-your-first-argument-i-have-a-lot-of-friends/) [Kelly Ripa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelly-ripa/) > [The goal of the operation is to send Gaza back to the Middle Ages, only then will Israel be calm for the next 40 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ben-ari/the-goal-of-the-operation-is-to-send-gaza-back-to-the-middle-ages/) Michael Ben-Ari > [No physiologist who calmly considers the question in connection with the general truths of his science, can long resist the conviction that different parts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-spencer/no-physiologist-who-calmly-considers-the-question-in-connection-with/) [Herbert Spencer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-spencer/) > [When I was a child I truly loved: Unthinking love as calm and deep As the North Sea. But I have lived, And now…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-gardner/when-i-was-a-child-i-truly-loved-unthinking-love-as-calm-and-deep-as/) [John Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-gardner/) > [~Keep Calm and Swagger On~](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/im-nothing/keep-calm-and-swagger-on/) Im Nothing > [Ride your horse calm, forward and then make him straight.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-zettl/ride-your-horse-calm-forward-and-then-make-him-straight/) [Walter Zettl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-zettl/) > [Life appears to me too short to be spent in nursing animosity, or registering wrongs. With this creed, revenge never worries my heart, degradation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/life-appears-to-me-too-short-to-be-spent-in-nursing-animosity-or/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [Religious work is one of the best ways to keep from facing your reality if you are Christian, if you are using it to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-miller/religious-work-is-one-of-the-best-ways-to-keep-from-facing-your/) [Keith Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-miller/) [Browse all 3,074 Calm quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calm/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I only think well when my mind is calm.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mikhail Botvinnik" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-botvinnik/i-only-think-well-when-my-mind-is-calm/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Calm" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-botvinnik/i-only-think-well-when-my-mind-is-calm/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64d/mikhail-botvinnik-17702_calm_i-only-think-well-when-my-mind-is-calm-2_2805057.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64d/mikhail-botvinnik-17702_calm_i-only-think-well-when-my-mind-is-calm-2_2805057.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/64d/mikhail-botvinnik-17702_calm_i-only-think-well-when-my-mind-is-calm-2_2805057.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I only think well when my mind is calm.” — Mikhail Botvinnik", "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": "Mikhail Botvinnik", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-botvinnik/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I only think well when my...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-botvinnik/i-only-think-well-when-my-mind-is-calm/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-botvinnik/i-only-think-well-when-my-mind-is-calm/#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 } } ] } ```