--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sometimes we know the best thing to do…" description: "\"Sometimes we know the best thing to do, but fail to do it. New year's resolutions are often like that. We make resolutions because we know it would be ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ae/peter-singer-1001_best_sometimes-we-know-the-best-thing-to-do-b_1971659.jpg" --- # Sometimes we know the best thing to do, but fail to do it… ![“Sometimes we know the best thing to do, but fail to do it. New year's resolutions are often like that. We make resolutions because we know it would be better for us to lose weight, or get fit, or spend more time with our children. The problem is that a resolution is generally easier to break than…” quote by Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ae/peter-singer-1001_best_sometimes-we-know-the-best-thing-to-do-b_1971659.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ae/peter-singer-1001_best_sometimes-we-know-the-best-thing-to-do-b_1971659.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6ae/peter-singer-1001_best_sometimes-we-know-the-best-thing-to-do-b_1971659.jpg) > “Sometimes we know the best thing to do, but fail to do it. New year's resolutions are often like that. We make resolutions because we know it would be better for us to lose weight, or get fit, or spend more time with our children. The problem is that a resolution is generally easier to break than it is to keep.” [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People often know the right action but struggle to follow through, especially with resolutions that are easier to break than to keep. **In simple terms:** We know what's best but fail to act on it. Key Takeaway Create realistic, incremental goals. Themes self-discipline behavior change goal setting Mood motivational practical Type self-help inspirational When to use this quote - fitness plans - diet changes - family time scheduling - financial budgeting Key Concepts psychology behavioral economics Questions to Reflect On - Why do you break resolutions? - What small step can you commit to today? A Different Perspective Motivation wanes without immediate rewards or accountability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Best](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best/) [Break](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/break/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Christmas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christmas/) [Easier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/easier/) [Failing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failing/) [Fit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fit/) [Get fit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/get-fit/) [Lose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lose/) [Lose weight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lose-weight/) [Make Resolutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-resolutions-718285/) [More time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/more-time/) [New](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new/) [New year](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-year/) [New year's resolutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-year-s-resolutions/) [Our children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-children/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Resolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resolution/) [Resolutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resolutions/) [Resolutions Know](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resolutions-know-3314956/) [Resolutions Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resolutions-like-2504563/) [Sometimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sometimes/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Weight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/weight/) [Would be](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/would-be/) [Year Resolutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/year-resolutions/) [Year's Resolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years-resolution/) [Year'S Resolutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/year-s-resolutions/) [Years](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/years/) ## Related quotes > [This New Year, don't make impractical resolutions like you'll stop smoking or drinking. Be wise. Make resolutions that you can actually follow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/this-new-year-don-t-make-impractical-resolutions-like-you-ll-stop/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The object of a New Year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/the-object-of-a-new-year-is-not-that-we-should-have-a-new-year-it-is-3/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [“begin another year, are you setting New Year’s resolutions? I’ve never been one to do”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-writers-of-encouraging-com/begin-another-year-are-you-setting-new-year-s-resolutions-i-ve-never/) [The writers of Encouraging.com](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-writers-of-encouraging-com/) > [Make as many New Year's resolutions as possible so you have lots of future failures to choose from.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/make-as-many-new-year-s-resolutions-as-possible-so-you-have-lots-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I know what I'm giving up for Lent: my New Year's resolutions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henny-youngman/i-know-what-i-m-giving-up-for-lent-my-new-year-s-resolutions/) [Henny Youngman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henny-youngman/) > [I hope one of your New Year's resolutions is to stop tagging me in New Year's photos.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-hope-one-of-your-new-year-s-resolutions-is-to-stop-tagging-me-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The difference between New Year's and Birthday's resolutions is that, New Year's resolutions are consciously taken and followed WHILE Birthday's are taken and followed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/the-difference-between-new-year-s-and-birthday-s-resolutions-is-that/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [May all your troubles last as long as your New Year's resolutions!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/may-all-your-troubles-last-as-long-as-your-new-year-s-resolutions/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You make New Year's resolutions. And you make them into the teeth of old resolutions which were different. Then you don't keep your new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-ron-hubbard/you-make-new-year-s-resolutions-and-you-make-them-into-the-teeth-of/) [L. Ron Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-ron-hubbard/) > [Within 7 days, 75% of people will have given up on their New Year's resolutions; that's tomorrow. Evaluate yourself. Don't be one of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kiyosaki/within-7-days-75-of-people-will-have-given-up-on-their-new-year-s/) [Robert Kiyosaki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kiyosaki/) > [New Year's resolutions have always been something to beat myself up with by the second week of January. It seems perverse to set yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/romesh-ranganathan/new-year-s-resolutions-have-always-been-something-to-beat-myself-up/) [Romesh Ranganathan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/romesh-ranganathan/) > [For many years, I tried to make New Year's resolutions. I made lists and shot for great heights: I would show altruism and exert…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-rollins/for-many-years-i-tried-to-make-new-year-s-resolutions-i-made-lists/) [Henry Rollins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-rollins/) > [New Year's resolutions are pointless to cause most people only stick to them for about a month and then go back to their old…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/new-year-s-resolutions-are-pointless-to-cause-most-people-only-stick/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Trying to change before you're ready isn't likely to be productive. For example, most New Year's resolutions don't last because people spring into action…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-morin/trying-to-change-before-you-re-ready-isn-t-likely-to-be-productive/) [Amy Morin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-morin/) > [I hope the world ends in 2012 so I can't be held accountable for my New Year's resolutions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-hope-the-world-ends-in-2012-so-i-can-t-be-held-accountable-for-my/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Peter Singer > [I have never really been fond of animals. I certainly wasn't an 'animal lover' when I became involved in the movement. I just came…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/i-have-never-really-been-fond-of-animals-i-certainly-wasn-t-an-animal/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [Knowledge is generally considered a good thing; so, presumably, knowing more about how the U.S. thinks and operates around the world is also good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/knowledge-is-generally-considered-a-good-thing-so-presumably-knowing/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [The price we are willing to pay for safety cannot be infinite. It is distasteful to put a price on human life, but the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/the-price-we-are-willing-to-pay-for-safety-cannot-be-infinite-it-is/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [The hope of Internet anarchists was that repressive governments would have only two options: accept the Internet with its limitless possibilities of spreading information,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/the-hope-of-internet-anarchists-was-that-repressive-governments-would/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [ Nineteen thousand children \[are\] dying every day. Does it really matter that we're not walking past them in the street? Does it really matter… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/nineteen-thousand-children-are-dying-every-day-does-it-really-matter/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [“The unchallenged assumption is that humans may use animals for their own purposes, and they may raise and kill them to satisfy their preference…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/the-unchallenged-assumption-is-that-humans-may-use-animals-for-their/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [Beginning to reason is like stepping onto an escalator that leads upward and out of sight. Once we take the first step, the distance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/beginning-to-reason-is-like-stepping-onto-an-escalator-that-leads/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [“Population growth is not a reason against giving aid but a reason for reconsidering the kind of aid to give.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/population-growth-is-not-a-reason-against-giving-aid-but-a-reason-for/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [Well the real concept of basic needs if you cut it right down are simply the physical needs that are unavoidable for all of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/well-the-real-concept-of-basic-needs-if-you-cut-it-right-down-are/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [“Dairy farmers routinely remove calves from their mothers at an early age so that the milk will be available for humans; anyone who has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/dairy-farmers-routinely-remove-calves-from-their-mothers-at-an-early/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [Attempts to defend amusement parks and circuses on the grounds that they 'educate' people about animals should not be taken seriously. Such enterprises are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/attempts-to-defend-amusement-parks-and-circuses-on-the-grounds-that/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [“A consequence of this alienation of humans from their own nature is that they are also alienated from each other. Productive activity becomes ‘activity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/a-consequence-of-this-alienation-of-humans-from-their-own-nature-is/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [“I argued against the view that the only obligation we have to strangers is to avoid harming them; but even if we were to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/i-argued-against-the-view-that-the-only-obligation-we-have-to/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [I believe that in this new world that we live in, we often have a responsibility, you know, to actually go beyond the thou…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/i-believe-that-in-this-new-world-that-we-live-in-we-often-have-a/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [It may be thought justifiable to require tests on animals of potentially life-saving drugs, but the same kinds of tests are used for products…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/it-may-be-thought-justifiable-to-require-tests-on-animals-of/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) [Explore all 310 Peter Singer quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) ## More Best quotes > [Failures happen. You can't cry over them. You just take it in your stride because you know that you have done your best... Sometimes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/divya-dutta/failures-happen-you-can-t-cry-over-them-you-just-take-it-in-your/) [Divya Dutta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/divya-dutta/) > [Scepticism and cynicism about politics is so great that one of the best counters to it is what you can do at a local…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-miliband/scepticism-and-cynicism-about-politics-is-so-great-that-one-of-the/) [Ed Miliband](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-miliband/) > [Amongst the financial Twitterati, the term 'muppets' has come to describe any client used and abused by some financial predator. I've adopted the term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/amongst-the-financial-twitterati-the-term-muppets-has-come-to/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) > [It's no wonder Pep is one of the best coaches in the world. When I knew I could work with him I was very…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ederson/it-s-no-wonder-pep-is-one-of-the-best-coaches-in-the-world-when-i/) [Ederson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ederson/) > [“Before you were my enemy, you were my best friend.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kresley-cole/before-you-were-my-enemy-you-were-my-best-friend/) [Kresley Cole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kresley-cole/) > [If we accept being talked to any kind of a way, then we are telling ourselves we are not quite worth the best. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/if-we-accept-being-talked-to-any-kind-of-a-way-then-we-are-telling/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [I want to be perceived as a guy who played his best in all facets, not just scoring. A guy who loved challenges.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jordan/i-want-to-be-perceived-as-a-guy-who-played-his-best-in-all-facets-not/) [Michael Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jordan/) > [I feel like I'm the best, but you're not going to get me to say that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-rice/i-feel-like-i-m-the-best-but-you-re-not-going-to-get-me-to-say-that/) [Jerry Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-rice/) > [Life is where you love people and use things not use people and love things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babloo/life-is-where-you-love-people-and-use-things-not-use-people-and-love/) [Babloo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babloo/) > [With every product, the delta between the brand and the reality determines its power over the minds of consumers, and with Trump, that delta…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-wilson/with-every-product-the-delta-between-the-brand-and-the-reality/) [Rick Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-wilson/) > [The human element should be the two players on the court, not the officials. The best officials are the ones you never notice. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-scott/the-human-element-should-be-the-two-players-on-the-court-not-the/) [Gene Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-scott/) > [I'm looking to fight the best guys in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yair-rodriguez/i-m-looking-to-fight-the-best-guys-in-the-world/) [Yair Rodriguez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yair-rodriguez/) > [Batley and Spen has a high proportion of people working in manufacturing, and we can boast the full range of industries, including high-skilled, precision…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jo-cox/batley-and-spen-has-a-high-proportion-of-people-working-in/) [Jo Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jo-cox/) > [It is no secret that I have read 'The Da Vinci Code' several times. I genuinely believe that 'The Da Vinci Code' and 'Angels…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashwin-sanghi/it-is-no-secret-that-i-have-read-the-da-vinci-code-several-times-i/) [Ashwin Sanghi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashwin-sanghi/) > [Any position I was going to be in, I was going to make the best of it. I always do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-bledsoe/any-position-i-was-going-to-be-in-i-was-going-to-make-the-best-of-it/) [Eric Bledsoe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-bledsoe/) [Browse all 21,674 Best quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/best/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Sometimes we know the best thing to do, but fail to do it. New year's resolutions are often like that. We make resolutions because we know it would be better for us to lose weight, or get fit, or spend more time with our children. 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