--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The world is seldom so simple that it…" description: "\"The world is seldom so simple that it hinges on us alone.\" — Rachel Hartman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce5/rachel-hartman-6350_hinges_the-world-is-seldom-so-simple-that-it-hi_2763629.jpg" --- # The world is seldom so simple that it hinges on us alone. ![“The world is seldom so simple that it hinges on us alone.” quote by Rachel Hartman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce5/rachel-hartman-6350_hinges_the-world-is-seldom-so-simple-that-it-hi_2763629.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce5/rachel-hartman-6350_hinges_the-world-is-seldom-so-simple-that-it-hi_2763629.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce5/rachel-hartman-6350_hinges_the-world-is-seldom-so-simple-that-it-hi_2763629.jpg) > “The world is seldom so simple that it hinges on us alone.” [Rachel Hartman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hartman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Observing that global issues rarely depend solely on individual actions. **In simple terms:** World problems aren't just about us. Key Takeaway Consider collective impact. Themes environment society interdependence Mood thoughtful inspired Type activist philosophical When to use this quote - policy making - community projects - activism Key Concepts systems thinking global responsibility Questions to Reflect On - How can you contribute? - What systemic changes are needed? A Different Perspective Individual agency still matters. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Hinges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hinges/) [Seldom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seldom/) [Seldom Simple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seldom-simple-3188470/) [Simple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simple/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [World Seldom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-seldom-1952147/) ## Related quotes > [Myths are seldom simple, and never irresponsible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-graves/myths-are-seldom-simple-and-never-irresponsible/) [Robert Graves](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-graves/) > [The world is seldom what it seems; to man, who dimly sees, realities appear as dreams, and dreams realities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-world-is-seldom-what-it-seems-to-man-who-dimly-sees-realities/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [writers who go outside the lines when they draw pictures of the world are seldom rewarded for their efforts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-stone/writers-who-go-outside-the-lines-when-they-draw-pictures-of-the-world/) [Jennifer Stone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-stone/) > [The realities of the world seldom measure up to the sublime designs of human imagination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-h-mcgill/the-realities-of-the-world-seldom-measure-up-to-the-sublime-designs/) [Bryant H. McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-h-mcgill/) > [“how true it is that the rulers of this world are seldom friendly to the cause of God.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-c-ryle-2/how-true-it-is-that-the-rulers-of-this-world-are-seldom-friendly-to/) [J.C. Ryle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-c-ryle-2/) > [ I think \[director\] Malcolm Lee is a real master at being able to make you laugh while bringing serious subject-matter, so the movie doesn't… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ice-cube/i-think-director-malcolm-lee-is-a-real-master-at-being-able-to-make/) [Ice Cube](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ice-cube/) > [Ultimately, our lives hinge on the ability to make right choices and decisions. By God's grace, I made the most important decision a person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-a-dickey/ultimately-our-lives-hinge-on-the-ability-to-make-right-choices-and/) [R.A. Dickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-a-dickey/) > [Back on its golden hinges The gate of Memory swings, And my heart goes into the garden And walks with the olden things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-wheeler-wilcox/back-on-its-golden-hinges-the-gate-of-memory-swings-and-my-heart-goes/) [Ella Wheeler Wilcox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-wheeler-wilcox/) > [Success in business hinges mostly on the ability to get the important things done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-feather/success-in-business-hinges-mostly-on-the-ability-to-get-the-important/) [William Feather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-feather/) > [“If people feel lost and alone and helpless and broken and hopeless today, what will it be like if the world really begins to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-andress/if-people-feel-lost-and-alone-and-helpless-and-broken-and-hopeless/) [Brandon Andress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-andress/) > [Heaven open'd wide Her ever during gates, harmonious sound, On golden hinges moving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/heaven-open-d-wide-her-ever-during-gates-harmonious-sound-on-golden/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [As part of our ongoing series of reports on the environment, 'America Goes Green,' we take on the question that can make otherwise competent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-williams/as-part-of-our-ongoing-series-of-reports-on-the-environment-america/) [Brian Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-williams/) > [Big doors swing on small hinges.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-archer/big-doors-swing-on-small-hinges/) [Vincent Archer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-archer/) > [There are times when we can feel destiny close around us like a fist around a doorknob. Sure, we can resist. But a knob…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/there-are-times-when-we-can-feel-destiny-close-around-us-like-a-fist/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [It is said that history turns on small hinges. A human career, too, results from an accumulating series of decisions about large and small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/it-is-said-that-history-turns-on-small-hinges-a-human-career-too/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) ## More by Rachel Hartman > [“A feeling rose in me, and I just let it, because what harm could it do? It only had another thirty-two adagio bars of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hartman/a-feeling-rose-in-me-and-i-just-let-it-because-what-harm-could-it-do/) [Rachel Hartman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hartman/) > [Sometimes the truth has difficulty breaching the city walls of our beliefs. A lie, dressed in the correct livery, passes through more easily.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hartman/sometimes-the-truth-has-difficulty-breaching-the-city-walls-of-our/) [Rachel Hartman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hartman/) > [I barely noticed loneliness anymore; it was my normal condition, by necessity if not by nature.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hartman/i-barely-noticed-loneliness-anymore-it-was-my-normal-condition-by/) [Rachel Hartman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hartman/) > [“It's such a relief after all these years to learn that you recovered from your fright," he said in a low voice, giving my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hartman/it-s-such-a-relief-after-all-these-years-to-learn-that-you-recovered/) [Rachel Hartman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hartman/) > [“There are melodies that speak as eloquently as words, that flow logically and inevitably from a single, pure emotion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hartman/there-are-melodies-that-speak-as-eloquently-as-words-that-flow/) [Rachel Hartman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hartman/) > [“Sir James waved a gnarled hand. "They're nothing but feral file clerks, dragons. They used to alphabetize the coins in their hoards.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hartman/sir-james-waved-a-gnarled-hand-they-re-nothing-but-feral-file-clerks/) [Rachel Hartman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hartman/) > [“He didn’t wear his heart on his sleeve, exactly, but he did keep it in a place where I could see it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hartman/he-didn-t-wear-his-heart-on-his-sleeve-exactly-but-he-did-keep-it-in/) [Rachel Hartman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hartman/) > [“I’m attracting small children,” Orma muttered, twisting his hat in his hands. “Shoo it away, will you?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hartman/i-m-attracting-small-children-orma-muttered-twisting-his-hat-in-his/) [Rachel Hartman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hartman/) > [“I heard you, sought you, and have found you. I have reached for you, across space and sense and the laws of nature. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hartman/i-heard-you-sought-you-and-have-found-you-i-have-reached-for-you/) [Rachel Hartman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hartman/) > [“I saw the void beneath the surface of the world; it threatened to pull me under.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hartman/i-saw-the-void-beneath-the-surface-of-the-world-it-threatened-to-pull/) [Rachel Hartman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hartman/) > [“Art is a conversation we are all invited to and are all worthy to participate in. Yes, great works can be intimidating, but no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hartman/art-is-a-conversation-we-are-all-invited-to-and-are-all-worthy-to/) [Rachel Hartman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hartman/) > [The twin gods, Necessity and Chance, walked among the stars. What needed to be, was; what might be, sometimes was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hartman/the-twin-gods-necessity-and-chance-walked-among-the-stars-what-needed/) [Rachel Hartman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hartman/) > [“Ah, I could last a long time on those smiles. I would sow and reap them like wheat.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hartman/ah-i-could-last-a-long-time-on-those-smiles-i-would-sow-and-reap-them/) [Rachel Hartman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hartman/) > [“Who will kiss you? Who will rock you to sleep?" His voice was slow, drowsy. "You never did," I said, trying to tease him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hartman/who-will-kiss-you-who-will-rock-you-to-sleep-his-voice-was-slow/) [Rachel Hartman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hartman/) > [“He was impugning my virtue. I ought to have been offended, but for some reason the idea tickled me. That could be my next…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hartman/he-was-impugning-my-virtue-i-ought-to-have-been-offended-but-for-some/) [Rachel Hartman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hartman/) [Explore all 97 Rachel Hartman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hartman/) ## More Hinges quotes > [It is said that history turns on small hinges. A human career, too, results from an accumulating series of decisions about large and small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/it-is-said-that-history-turns-on-small-hinges-a-human-career-too/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [There are times when we can feel destiny close around us like a fist around a doorknob. Sure, we can resist. But a knob…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/there-are-times-when-we-can-feel-destiny-close-around-us-like-a-fist/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [Big doors swing on small hinges.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-archer/big-doors-swing-on-small-hinges/) [Vincent Archer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-archer/) > [As part of our ongoing series of reports on the environment, 'America Goes Green,' we take on the question that can make otherwise competent…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-williams/as-part-of-our-ongoing-series-of-reports-on-the-environment-america/) [Brian Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-williams/) > [Heaven open'd wide Her ever during gates, harmonious sound, On golden hinges moving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/heaven-open-d-wide-her-ever-during-gates-harmonious-sound-on-golden/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [“If people feel lost and alone and helpless and broken and hopeless today, what will it be like if the world really begins to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-andress/if-people-feel-lost-and-alone-and-helpless-and-broken-and-hopeless/) [Brandon Andress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-andress/) > [Success in business hinges mostly on the ability to get the important things done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-feather/success-in-business-hinges-mostly-on-the-ability-to-get-the-important/) [William Feather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-feather/) > [Back on its golden hinges The gate of Memory swings, And my heart goes into the garden And walks with the olden things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-wheeler-wilcox/back-on-its-golden-hinges-the-gate-of-memory-swings-and-my-heart-goes/) [Ella Wheeler Wilcox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-wheeler-wilcox/) > [Ultimately, our lives hinge on the ability to make right choices and decisions. By God's grace, I made the most important decision a person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-a-dickey/ultimately-our-lives-hinge-on-the-ability-to-make-right-choices-and/) [R.A. Dickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-a-dickey/) > [ I think \[director\] Malcolm Lee is a real master at being able to make you laugh while bringing serious subject-matter, so the movie doesn't… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ice-cube/i-think-director-malcolm-lee-is-a-real-master-at-being-able-to-make/) [Ice Cube](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ice-cube/) > [The significance of language for the evolution of culture lies in this, that mankind set up in language a separate world beside the other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/the-significance-of-language-for-the-evolution-of-culture-lies-in/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Power is the pivot on which everything hinges. He who has the power is always right; the weaker is always wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/power-is-the-pivot-on-which-everything-hinges-he-who-has-the-power-is/) [Niccolo Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [“He'd pull a door off its hinges rather than work out how to turn a key.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-greenwood/he-d-pull-a-door-off-its-hinges-rather-than-work-out-how-to-turn-a-key/) [Kerry Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-greenwood/) > [Simplicity hinges as much on cutting nonessential features as on adding helpful ones.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-bender/simplicity-hinges-as-much-on-cutting-nonessential-features-as-on/) [Walter Bender](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-bender/) > [Should the poor be flattered? No; let the candied tongue lick absurd pomp, and crook the pregnant hinges of the knee where thrift may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/should-the-poor-be-flattered-no-let-the-candied-tongue-lick-absurd/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) [Browse all 125 Hinges quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hinges/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The world is seldom so simple that it hinges on us alone.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Rachel Hartman" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hartman/the-world-is-seldom-so-simple-that-it-hinges-on-us-alone/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Hinges" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hartman/the-world-is-seldom-so-simple-that-it-hinges-on-us-alone/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce5/rachel-hartman-6350_hinges_the-world-is-seldom-so-simple-that-it-hi_2763629.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce5/rachel-hartman-6350_hinges_the-world-is-seldom-so-simple-that-it-hi_2763629.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ce5/rachel-hartman-6350_hinges_the-world-is-seldom-so-simple-that-it-hi_2763629.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The world is seldom so simple that it hinges on us alone.” — Rachel Hartman", "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": "Rachel Hartman", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-hartman/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The world is seldom so simple...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hartman/the-world-is-seldom-so-simple-that-it-hinges-on-us-alone/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-hartman/the-world-is-seldom-so-simple-that-it-hinges-on-us-alone/#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 } } ] } ```