--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: 'Inspiration' is a word used by people…" description: "\"'Inspiration' is a word used by people who aren't really doing anything.\" — Nick Cave" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/290/nick-cave-1153_doing_inspiration-is-a-word-used-by-people-who_2289248.jpg" --- # 'Inspiration' is a word used by people who aren't really… ![“'Inspiration' is a word used by people who aren't really doing anything.” quote by Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/290/nick-cave-1153_doing_inspiration-is-a-word-used-by-people-who_2289248.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/290/nick-cave-1153_doing_inspiration-is-a-word-used-by-people-who_2289248.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/290/nick-cave-1153_doing_inspiration-is-a-word-used-by-people-who_2289248.jpg) > “'Inspiration' is a word used by people who aren't really doing anything.” [Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote critiques superficial talk about inspiration without action, emphasizing that true inspiration should lead to doing something. **In simple terms:** Talk about inspiration without action is empty. Key Takeaway Turn ideas into deeds. Themes authenticity action motivation Mood reflective critical Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - creative projects - personal goals - social activism - career development Key Concepts existentialism psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can you ensure your inspiration leads to concrete steps? - What actions follow your moments of inspiration? A Different Perspective Inspiration can be a pretext for procrastination if not paired with effort. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing/) [Inspiration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration/) [Inspiration Word](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiration-word-632765/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [People Aren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people-aren-261778/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) [Used People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used-people-551693/) [Word Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/word-used-579381/) ## Related quotes > [Inspiration is a word used by people who aren't really doing anything. I go into my office every day that I'm in Brighton and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cave/inspiration-is-a-word-used-by-people-who-aren-t-really-doing-anything-2/) [Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/) > ["Easy" is a word that's used to describe other people's jobs.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-fried/easy-is-a-word-that-s-used-to-describe-other-people-s-jobs/) [Jason Fried](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-fried/) > [Most of my inspiration, if that's the word, came from books themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shelby-foote/most-of-my-inspiration-if-that-s-the-word-came-from-books-themselves/) [Shelby Foote](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shelby-foote/) > [“We speak of ‘inspiration,’ and the word should be taken literally. There really is inspiration and expiration of Being.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-merleau-ponty/we-speak-of-inspiration-and-the-word-should-be-taken-literally-there/) [Maurice Merleau-Ponty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-merleau-ponty/) > [I feel like I am an inspiration. That's the word I prefer. I don't believe that I have to be a role model, someone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winnie-harlow/i-feel-like-i-am-an-inspiration-that-s-the-word-i-prefer-i-don-t/) [Winnie Harlow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winnie-harlow/) > [Inspiration has become this word that people tend to talk about as something from the outside. The truth is that... it is inside, like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-wanders/inspiration-has-become-this-word-that-people-tend-to-talk-about-as/) [Marcel Wanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-wanders/) > [Ugly is a word that should only be used to describe sin and never used to describe people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/ugly-is-a-word-that-should-only-be-used-to-describe-sin-and-never/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [LOVE. A four letter word, over used and under appreciated. The meaning lost in a world of online dating and texts through telephones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shubham-joshi/love-a-four-letter-word-over-used-and-under-appreciated-the-meaning/) [Shubham Joshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shubham-joshi/) > [I will not sit in a room with black people when the N word is used. I know it was meant to belittle a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/i-will-not-sit-in-a-room-with-black-people-when-the-n-word-is-used-i/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [The word must is not to be used to princes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-i/the-word-must-is-not-to-be-used-to-princes/) [Elizabeth I](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-i/) > [Etc... A word used to make others believe that you know more than you actually do:P](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loi-lori/etc-a-word-used-to-make-others-believe-that-you-know-more-than-you/) [Loi Lori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loi-lori/) > [A word is used "correctly" when the average hearer will be affected by it in the way intended. This is a psychological, not a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/a-word-is-used-correctly-when-the-average-hearer-will-be-affected-by/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [The word I used when explaining it was that I am almost 'allergic' to lots of hair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emma-d-arcy/the-word-i-used-when-explaining-it-was-that-i-am-almost-allergic-to/) [Emma D'Arcy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emma-d-arcy/) > [Love was also an easy word, used carelessly. Felons and creeps could offer it coated in sugar, and users could dangle it so enticingly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deb-caletti/love-was-also-an-easy-word-used-carelessly-felons-and-creeps-could/) [Deb Caletti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deb-caletti/) > [“lovely is a lovey word that should be used more often”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-niven/lovely-is-a-lovey-word-that-should-be-used-more-often/) [Jennifer Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-niven/) ## More by Nick Cave > [Texting is apocalyptic on some level. It's a reduction of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cave/texting-is-apocalyptic-on-some-level-it-s-a-reduction-of-things/) [Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/) > [“And I know why our friendship must be kept a secret. Or they will kill You like they killed You in the Bible. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cave/and-i-know-why-our-friendship-must-be-kept-a-secret-or-they-will-kill/) [Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/) > [I want to write songs that are so sad, the kind of sad where you take someone's little finger and break it in three…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cave/i-want-to-write-songs-that-are-so-sad-the-kind-of-sad-where-you-take/) [Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/) > [“Through these days Bunny made increasingly frequent and protracted visits to the bathroom, beating off with a single-minded savagery intense even by Bunny's standards.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cave/through-these-days-bunny-made-increasingly-frequent-and-protracted/) [Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/) > [Personally I find the story of Christ incredibly moving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cave/personally-i-find-the-story-of-christ-incredibly-moving/) [Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/) > [ That's what we \[outsiders\] feel America is really about - the kind of crazed ravings of the Christian right - when it's probably something… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cave/that-s-what-we-outsiders-feel-america-is-really-about-the-kind-of/) [Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/) > [“My relationship with my muse is a delicate one at the best of times and I feel that it is my duty to protect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cave/my-relationship-with-my-muse-is-a-delicate-one-at-the-best-of-times/) [Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/) > [I'm kind of old-school and love nothing more than sitting, opening a book, and reading it. But I also love listening to audio books.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cave/i-m-kind-of-old-school-and-love-nothing-more-than-sitting-opening-a/) [Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/) > [Early on I realized when you write a song about someone, it flatters them on some level, and gives you a lot of room…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cave/early-on-i-realized-when-you-write-a-song-about-someone-it-flatters/) [Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/) > [My father was a teacher and my mother also worked in the school, so the family has a background in education.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cave/my-father-was-a-teacher-and-my-mother-also-worked-in-the-school-so/) [Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/) > [I think it's an essential fact for any performer or artist to fail as poignantly as they can succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cave/i-think-it-s-an-essential-fact-for-any-performer-or-artist-to-fail-as/) [Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/) > [To my undying shame, I do read reviews. I don't read them all, but I like to get some kind of idea how things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cave/to-my-undying-shame-i-do-read-reviews-i-don-t-read-them-all-but-i/) [Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/) > [Brother, be a brother, fill this tiny cup of mine. And please, sir, make it whiskey: I have no head for wine!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cave/brother-be-a-brother-fill-this-tiny-cup-of-mine-and-please-sir-make/) [Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/) > [When you've been initiated, you can stand in the world differently. And I think it is up to all of us, we can have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cave/when-you-ve-been-initiated-you-can-stand-in-the-world-differently-and/) [Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/) > [Polly Jean, I love you. I love the texture of your skin, the taste of your saliva, the softness of your ears. I love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-cave/polly-jean-i-love-you-i-love-the-texture-of-your-skin-the-taste-of/) [Nick Cave](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/) [Explore all 280 Nick Cave quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-cave/) ## More Doing quotes > [I don't know what I'm doing, but I'm damn well gonna do it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geri-halliwell/i-don-t-know-what-i-m-doing-but-i-m-damn-well-gonna-do-it/) [Geri Halliwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geri-halliwell/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. Hollywood loves to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-s-goyer/i-love-casting-against-type-and-doing-things-you-wouldn-t-expect/) [David S. Goyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-s-goyer/) > [If you think you're doing everything right, then you have a tendency to stand pat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stockton/if-you-think-you-re-doing-everything-right-then-you-have-a-tendency/) [John Stockton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stockton/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Focus on becoming more to achieve more while doing less](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/focus-on-becoming-more-to-achieve-more-while-doing-less/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [Doing the right things is more important than doing things right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ko-wen-je/doing-the-right-things-is-more-important-than-doing-things-right/) [Ko Wen-je](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ko-wen-je/) > [I was in high school and I had an independent album out, and we kept sending that out, and I was doing shows. No…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyler-hilton/i-was-in-high-school-and-i-had-an-independent-album-out-and-we-kept/) [Tyler Hilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyler-hilton/) > [If I'm not thinking about you then I am texting you , if I am not texting you then I am on the phone…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-i-m-not-thinking-about-you-then-i-am-texting-you-if-i-am-not/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [.\*. why u hate me..Bitches be doing the most](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kitty/why-u-hate-me-bitches-be-doing-the-most/) [Kitty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kitty/) > [“dances with mine as if we’ve been doing this our whole”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corinne-michaels/dances-with-mine-as-if-we-ve-been-doing-this-our-whole/) [Corinne Michaels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corinne-michaels/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the dollar collapses, it's not doing it in a vacuum. If the dollar loses value, it's doing so relative to some other currency.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-schiff/when-the-dollar-collapses-it-s-not-doing-it-in-a-vacuum-if-the-dollar/) [Peter Schiff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-schiff/) > [When I made it, I still didn't wave the flag and say, Yeah go Asian people. I do want people to know that about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-hugo/when-i-made-it-i-still-didn-t-wave-the-flag-and-say-yeah-go-asian/) [Chad Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-hugo/) > [I really can't live without my In-N-Out burgers. Honestly, I can't. 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