--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Instead of cursing the darkness, light a…" description: "\"Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle for where we're going. There's something ahead worth fighting for.\" — Neil Young" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/132/neil-young-969_candle_instead-of-cursing-the-darkness-light-a_2311611.jpg" --- # Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle for where… ![“Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle for where we're going. There's something ahead worth fighting for.” quote by Neil Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/132/neil-young-969_candle_instead-of-cursing-the-darkness-light-a_2311611.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/132/neil-young-969_candle_instead-of-cursing-the-darkness-light-a_2311611.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/132/neil-young-969_candle_instead-of-cursing-the-darkness-light-a_2311611.jpg) > “Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle for where we're going. There's something ahead worth fighting for.” [Neil Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-young/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Instead of complaining about problems, take proactive steps toward a hopeful future, recognizing that there is a worthwhile goal ahead. **In simple terms:** Act, instead of cursing; pursue a hopeful goal. Key Takeaway Take action, focus on positive direction. Themes hope action optimism Mood determined inspired Type motivational reflective When to use this quote - personal challenges - social movements - community building - overcoming adversity Key Concepts proactivity future orientation Questions to Reflect On - What small step can you take today toward your goal? - How does focusing on light change your mindset? A Different Perspective Action alone may not change systemic issues without collective effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Candle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candle/) [Candle Going](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candle-going-5493094/) [Cursing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cursing/) [Cursing Darkness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cursing-darkness-1248362/) [Darkness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness/) [Darkness Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness-light/) [Darkness to light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness-to-light/) [Fighting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fighting/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Light Candle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light-candle/) [Worth Fighting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worth-fighting/) [Worth fighting for](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worth-fighting-for/) ## Related quotes > [Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-cursing-the-darkness-light-a-candle/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle. Darkness befalls us all. There is simply no escaping that truth but rather than dwell in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-versey/instead-of-cursing-the-darkness-light-a-candle-darkness-befalls-us/) [Jason Versey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-versey/) > [If you are talented, don't sit in the darkness, light a candle so that others can see you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/if-you-are-talented-don-t-sit-in-the-darkness-light-a-candle-so-that/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Don't curse the darkness; light a candle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-curse-the-darkness-light-a-candle/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“ it is about trying to light a candle instead of cursing the darkness, and loving your life even if it has slipped away”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabel-gillies/it-is-about-trying-to-light-a-candle-instead-of-cursing-the-darkness/) [Isabel Gillies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabel-gillies/) > [They say that instead of cursing the darkness, one should light a candle. Nothing is mentioned, though, about cursing a lack of candles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-carlin/they-say-that-instead-of-cursing-the-darkness-one-should-light-a/) [George Carlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-carlin/) > [“Light a candle instead of cursing the darkness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-roosevelt/light-a-candle-instead-of-cursing-the-darkness/) [Eleanor Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-roosevelt/) > [We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us through that darkness to a safe and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/we-are-not-here-to-curse-the-darkness-but-to-light-the-candle-that/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [When you’re sitting in a dark room, you can either sit and curse the darkness—or you can light a candle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonard-ravenhill/when-you-re-sitting-in-a-dark-room-you-can-either-sit-and-curse-the/) [Leonard Ravenhill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonard-ravenhill/) > [In a time of darkness, you don't curse the darkness, you light a candle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/al-gore/in-a-time-of-darkness-you-don-t-curse-the-darkness-you-light-a-candle/) [Al Gore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/al-gore/) > [“Don't curse the darkness but light a candle.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brother-andrew/don-t-curse-the-darkness-but-light-a-candle/) [Brother Andrew](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brother-andrew/) > [You can curse the darkness or light a candle. The choice is yours.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-kane/you-can-curse-the-darkness-or-light-a-candle-the-choice-is-yours/) [Patrick Kane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-kane/) > [I am Sa’kagé a lord of shadows. I claim the shadows that the Shadow may not. I am the strong arm of deliverance. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brent-weeks/i-am-sa-kag-a-lord-of-shadows-i-claim-the-shadows-that-the-shadow-may/) [Brent Weeks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brent-weeks/) > [While everything around me is ever changing, ever dying, there is underlying that change a living power that is changeless, that holds all together,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/while-everything-around-me-is-ever-changing-ever-dying-there-is/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [In the midst of darkness, light persists.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/in-the-midst-of-darkness-light-persists/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) ## More by Neil Young > [A lot of people that buy vinyl today don’t realise that they’re listening to CD masters on vinyl and that’s because the record companies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-young/a-lot-of-people-that-buy-vinyl-today-don-t-realise-that-they-re/) [Neil Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-young/) > [Let's roll for justice, let's roll for truth. Let's not let our children grow up fearful in their youth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-young/let-s-roll-for-justice-let-s-roll-for-truth-let-s-not-let-our/) [Neil Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-young/) > [Don't feel like Satan, but I am to them. And I try to forgive them anyway I can.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-young/don-t-feel-like-satan-but-i-am-to-them-and-i-try-to-forgive-them/) [Neil Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-young/) > [I never knew a man could tell so many lies, he had a different story for every set of eyes. How can he remember…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-young/i-never-knew-a-man-could-tell-so-many-lies-he-had-a-different-story/) [Neil Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-young/) > [It's the woman in you that makes you want to play this game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-young/it-s-the-woman-in-you-that-makes-you-want-to-play-this-game/) [Neil Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-young/) > [Keep it moving. Don't hoard. Money's no good, get rid of it. Turn it into people doing things. Turn it into jobs. Turn it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-young/keep-it-moving-don-t-hoard-money-s-no-good-get-rid-of-it-turn-it-into/) [Neil Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-young/) > [My dad passed away...and suddenly I found myself at the top of the tree and looking at the sky instead of at my mom…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-young/my-dad-passed-away-and-suddenly-i-found-myself-at-the-top-of-the-tree/) [Neil Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-young/) > [The Arabic states have to be integrated into the Iraqi reconstruction. We need the help of the Arabic community, which understands its culture. Americans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-young/the-arabic-states-have-to-be-integrated-into-the-iraqi-reconstruction/) [Neil Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-young/) > [Said the condor to the preying mantis, we're gonna lose this place just like we lost Atlantis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-young/said-the-condor-to-the-preying-mantis-we-re-gonna-lose-this-place/) [Neil Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-young/) > [With Crazy Horse, it's all one big, growing, smoldering sound, and I'm part of it. It's like gliding, or some sort of natural surfing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-young/with-crazy-horse-it-s-all-one-big-growing-smoldering-sound-and-i-m/) [Neil Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-young/) > [It doesn't mean that much to me to mean that much to you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-young/it-doesn-t-mean-that-much-to-me-to-mean-that-much-to-you/) [Neil Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-young/) > [Cocaine eyes won't hide your face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-young/cocaine-eyes-won-t-hide-your-face/) [Neil Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-young/) > [Now I'm livin' out here on the beach, but those seagulls are still out of reach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-young/now-i-m-livin-out-here-on-the-beach-but-those-seagulls-are-still-out/) [Neil Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-young/) > [I've always been better moving than I am standing still.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-young/i-ve-always-been-better-moving-than-i-am-standing-still/) [Neil Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-young/) > [Don't think. The worst songs I've ever written happen when I think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neil-young/don-t-think-the-worst-songs-i-ve-ever-written-happen-when-i-think/) [Neil Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-young/) [Explore all 317 Neil Young quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neil-young/) ## More Candle quotes > [I'm a candle flame that sways in currents of air you can't see. You need to be the one who steadies me to burn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadine-gordimer/i-m-a-candle-flame-that-sways-in-currents-of-air-you-can-t-see-you/) [Nadine Gordimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadine-gordimer/) > [I still get nervous about singing. I drink tea with honey and lemon before every concert. And I need to have scented candles in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-j-blige/i-still-get-nervous-about-singing-i-drink-tea-with-honey-and-lemon/) [Mary J. Blige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-j-blige/) > [The dream of coming back is becoming a reality. A lot of the uncertainty about the future has been cleared up. A lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tagliabue/the-dream-of-coming-back-is-becoming-a-reality-a-lot-of-the/) [Paul Tagliabue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tagliabue/) > [Every wife ought to answer for her man. If the husband be engaged in a seditious club, or drinks mysterious healths, or be frugal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/every-wife-ought-to-answer-for-her-man-if-the-husband-be-engaged-in-a/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Miracles are like candles lit up until the sun rises, and then blown out. Therefore, I am amused when I hear sects and churches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/miracles-are-like-candles-lit-up-until-the-sun-rises-and-then-blown/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [On Hanukkah, the first dark night, Light yourself a candle bright. I'll you, if you will me invite To dance within that gentle light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-gordon/on-hanukkah-the-first-dark-night-light-yourself-a-candle-bright-i-ll/) [Nick Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-gordon/) > [I try to be the clown and court jester and make people laugh. At the same time, you have people in the hospital who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-simmons/i-try-to-be-the-clown-and-court-jester-and-make-people-laugh-at-the/) [Richard Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-simmons/) > [Only by the candle, held in the skeleton hand of Poverty, can man read his own dark heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/only-by-the-candle-held-in-the-skeleton-hand-of-poverty-can-man-read/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [Traveling is all very well if you can get home at night. I would be willing to go around the world if I came…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gladys-taber/traveling-is-all-very-well-if-you-can-get-home-at-night-i-would-be/) [Gladys Taber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gladys-taber/) > [Go not to the temple to put flowers upon the feet of God, first fill your own house with the fragrance of love. Go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/go-not-to-the-temple-to-put-flowers-upon-the-feet-of-god-first-fill/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [“Two ways to be a light for all, is to be a flaming candle or the mirror that reflects it”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-wharton/two-ways-to-be-a-light-for-all-is-to-be-a-flaming-candle-or-the/) [Edith Wharton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-wharton/) > [“Some will see your flame and want to blow it out...others will approach with a candle...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenita-vangellis/some-will-see-your-flame-and-want-to-blow-it-out-others-will-approach/) [Lenita Vangellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenita-vangellis/) > [So here I sit in the early candle-light of old age-I and my book-casting backward glances over out travel'd road.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-whitman/so-here-i-sit-in-the-early-candle-light-of-old-age-i-and-my-book/) [Walt Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-whitman/) > [I was eating beans by candle light for a decade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-andre/i-was-eating-beans-by-candle-light-for-a-decade/) [Eric Andre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-andre/) > [The stars begin to fade like guttering candles and are snuffed out one by one. Out in the depths of space the great celestial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-robert-harrison/the-stars-begin-to-fade-like-guttering-candles-and-are-snuffed-out/) [Edward Robert Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-robert-harrison/) [Browse all 1,033 Candle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candle/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Instead of cursing the darkness, light a candle for where we're going. 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