--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Didn't they realize that the only way to…" description: "\"Didn't they realize that the only way to change things was to act?\" — Tamora Pierce" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b76/tamora-pierce-935_change_didn-t-they-realize-that-the-only-way-to_263368.png" --- # Didn't they realize that the only way to change things was… ![“Didn't they realize that the only way to change things was to act?” quote by Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b76/tamora-pierce-935_change_didn-t-they-realize-that-the-only-way-to_263368.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b76/tamora-pierce-935_change_didn-t-they-realize-that-the-only-way-to_263368.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b76/tamora-pierce-935_change_didn-t-they-realize-that-the-only-way-to_263368.png) > “Didn't they realize that the only way to change things was to act?” [Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Change requires active effort; waiting for others to act delays progress. **In simple terms:** Act to create change. Key Takeaway Take initiative to shape outcomes. Themes action change responsibility Mood determined urgent Type motivational pragmatic When to use this quote - activism - community projects - personal growth Key Concepts social dynamics agency Questions to Reflect On - What steps can you take today? - Who can you collaborate with for impact? A Different Perspective Action alone may not solve systemic issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Change things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-things/) [Realize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realize/) [Realize Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realize-way-493312/) [Realizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realizing/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Way Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-change/) ## Related quotes > [If you're always questioning things, you realize the way you're living is just not as beneficial as it could be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nle-choppa/if-you-re-always-questioning-things-you-realize-the-way-you-re-living/) [NLE Choppa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nle-choppa/) > [“If people don't recognize such limits, God will make them realize His own way”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pramoedya-ananta-toer/if-people-don-t-recognize-such-limits-god-will-make-them-realize-his/) [Pramoedya Ananta Toer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pramoedya-ananta-toer/) > [When you're on set you don't realize the way something is going to look since you're on the other side of the camera.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-eisenberg/when-you-re-on-set-you-don-t-realize-the-way-something-is-going-to/) [Jesse Eisenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-eisenberg/) > [“Travel to other towns, states, and countries. Realize that your way is not the only way. Different doesn’t equal bad or wrong. Be open…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-g-bailey/travel-to-other-towns-states-and-countries-realize-that-your-way-is/) [Alison G. Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-g-bailey/) > [Once you realize that the way you exist right now is not enough, that there is something more, your spiritual process has already begun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaggi-vasudev/once-you-realize-that-the-way-you-exist-right-now-is-not-enough-that/) [Jaggi Vasudev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaggi-vasudev/) > [“I've come to realize that the only way to deal with life's problems is to walk close to the Lord.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wanda-e-brunstetter/i-ve-come-to-realize-that-the-only-way-to-deal-with-life-s-problems/) [Wanda E. Brunstetter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wanda-e-brunstetter/) > [We will only be successful when we realize the only way up is down, he who bows down to Allah can stand up to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-will-only-be-successful-when-we-realize-the-only-way-up-is-down-he/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“With each day, each hour and every moment of life, no matter how small, I realize that I have found a way of bringing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sawm-rad/with-each-day-each-hour-and-every-moment-of-life-no-matter-how-small/) [Sawm Rad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sawm-rad/) > [I never thought we had a chance of impacting anything. I am just starting to realize that we can change things - not just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-smith/i-never-thought-we-had-a-chance-of-impacting-anything-i-am-just/) [Shane Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-smith/) > ['You gave me way too much change.' Said no one ever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-gave-me-way-too-much-change-said-no-one-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“was satisfying to see change happen. However, the more time he spent in Chicago, the more Barack believed the best way to change the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roberta-edwards/was-satisfying-to-see-change-happen-however-the-more-time-he-spent-in/) [Roberta Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roberta-edwards/) > [The best way to change my attitude is to change yours first.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-best-way-to-change-my-attitude-is-to-change-yours-first/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“the way to change the entire world starts with a small baby step”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/manuel-corazzari/the-way-to-change-the-entire-world-starts-with-a-small-baby-step/) [Manuel Corazzari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/manuel-corazzari/) > [Love is the only way to change someone for the best.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/love-is-the-only-way-to-change-someone-for-the-best/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [Life doesn't have to be the way it is. We can change it. That's why I'm in politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-kendall/life-doesn-t-have-to-be-the-way-it-is-we-can-change-it-that-s-why-i-m/) [Liz Kendall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-kendall/) ## More by Tamora Pierce > [Lord Raoul asked me to tell you that if you get yourself killed, he will never speak to you again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/lord-raoul-asked-me-to-tell-you-that-if-you-get-yourself-killed-he/) [Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/) > [I will be known forever as the Puppy who chased a cutpurse and caught fish garbage instead. My descendants will pretend I'm not in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/i-will-be-known-forever-as-the-puppy-who-chased-a-cutpurse-and-caught/) [Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/) > [Dreadful sorry mistress. Ma always said I was too silly to die](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/dreadful-sorry-mistress-ma-always-said-i-was-too-silly-to-die/) [Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/) > [Frostpine made a face. Lifting the cup, he dumped its contents down his throat. “Auugghh!” he yelled, his voice stronger than it had been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/frostpine-made-a-face-lifting-the-cup-he-dumped-its-contents-down-his/) [Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/) > [Face it," Gary told her kindly. "You'll never catch up. You just do as much as you can and take the punishments without saying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/face-it-gary-told-her-kindly-you-ll-never-catch-up-you-just-do-as/) [Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/) > [“The god inside the man glanced at Aly. "This is your chessboard, I believe, my dear." Aly beamed at him. "So it is. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/the-god-inside-the-man-glanced-at-aly-this-is-your-chessboard-i/) [Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/) > [She's all over us like maggots on garbage, just because I interfered with one pickpocket yesterday.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/she-s-all-over-us-like-maggots-on-garbage-just-because-i-interfered/) [Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/) > [What if custom is wrong? demanded the part of her that believed in the code of chivalry. A knight must set things right.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/what-if-custom-is-wrong-demanded-the-part-of-her-that-believed-in-the/) [Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/) > [When it was her own doing, she was always tempted to skip a day, or just glance down, then get back to the ground.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/when-it-was-her-own-doing-she-was-always-tempted-to-skip-a-day-or/) [Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/) > [Wouldn't--" Kel began to say, but the words stuck in her mouth. She swallowed and tried again. "Wouldn't it be well, not nice to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/wouldn-t-kel-began-to-say-but-the-words-stuck-in-her-mouth-she/) [Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/) > [You'll see. I'm as good as any boy. I'm better. - Kel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/you-ll-see-i-m-as-good-as-any-boy-i-m-better-kel/) [Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/) > [“I don't know about some of these other people, particularly the ministers who served my uncle." "Can't you get rid of them?" Kaddar shook…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/i-don-t-know-about-some-of-these-other-people-particularly-the/) [Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/) > [You must tell Lady Alanna that sometime. I'd do it from a distance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/you-must-tell-lady-alanna-that-sometime-i-d-do-it-from-a-distance/) [Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/) > [If I have to 'catch' a man to get a husband, I don't want one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/if-i-have-to-catch-a-man-to-get-a-husband-i-don-t-want-one/) [Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/) > [George looked at her for a long moment. Finally he replied, "And why do you find it so hard to think someone might like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/george-looked-at-her-for-a-long-moment-finally-he-replied-and-why-do/) [Tamora Pierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/) [Explore all 323 Tamora Pierce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/) ## More Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) [Phil Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-hogan/) > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [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/) > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Didn't they realize that the only way to change things was to act?", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tamora Pierce" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/didn-t-they-realize-that-the-only-way-to-change-things-was-to-act/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Change" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/didn-t-they-realize-that-the-only-way-to-change-things-was-to-act/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b76/tamora-pierce-935_change_didn-t-they-realize-that-the-only-way-to_263368.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b76/tamora-pierce-935_change_didn-t-they-realize-that-the-only-way-to_263368.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/b76/tamora-pierce-935_change_didn-t-they-realize-that-the-only-way-to_263368.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Didn't they realize that the only way to change things was to act?” — Tamora Pierce", "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": "Tamora Pierce", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tamora-pierce/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Didn't they realize that the only...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/didn-t-they-realize-that-the-only-way-to-change-things-was-to-act/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tamora-pierce/didn-t-they-realize-that-the-only-way-to-change-things-was-to-act/#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 } } ] } ```