--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When the mind is in a state of…" description: "\"When the mind is in a state of uncertainty the smallest impulse directs it to either side.\" — Terence" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/261/terence-11479_doubt_when-the-mind-is-in-a-state-of-uncertain_2003438.jpg" --- # When the mind is in a state of uncertainty the smallest… ![“When the mind is in a state of uncertainty the smallest impulse directs it to either side.” quote by Terence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/261/terence-11479_doubt_when-the-mind-is-in-a-state-of-uncertain_2003438.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/261/terence-11479_doubt_when-the-mind-is-in-a-state-of-uncertain_2003438.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/261/terence-11479_doubt_when-the-mind-is-in-a-state-of-uncertain_2003438.jpg) > “When the mind is in a state of uncertainty the smallest impulse directs it to either side.” [Terence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Uncertainty makes the mind swing to the nearest impulse, often without rational choice. **In simple terms:** Uncertainty leads to snap decisions. Key Takeaway Pause before acting when unsure. Themes decisionmaking uncertainty psychology Mood anxious reflective Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - personal dilemmas - financial choices - relationship conflicts Key Concepts cognitive bias impulse control Questions to Reflect On - What triggers your first reaction? - How can you create space for reflection? A Different Perspective Impulses may be misaligned with long‑term goals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Impulse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impulse/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Mind State](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind-state-494046/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Sides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sides/) [Smallest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smallest/) [Smallest Impulse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smallest-impulse-3537333/) [State Uncertainty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-uncertainty-3537334/) [States](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/states/) [Uncertain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncertain/) [Uncertainty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncertainty/) [Uncertainty Smallest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncertainty-smallest-3537332/) ## Related quotes > [A state of expectancy is a great assetl; a state of uncertainty-one moment thinking "perhaps" and the next moment thinking "I don't know"-will never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-holmes/a-state-of-expectancy-is-a-great-assetl-a-state-of-uncertainty-one/) [Ernest Holmes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-holmes/) > [She believed not in divine salvation but in the proposition that we poor mortals are fully capable of saving ourselves, if conditions and inclinations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/she-believed-not-in-divine-salvation-but-in-the-proposition-that-we/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If you're in a current mind state where you know what you want from the track, you can't just leave it and expect to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bonobo/if-you-re-in-a-current-mind-state-where-you-know-what-you-want-from/) [Bonobo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bonobo/) > [Olympism is not a system - it is a state of mind. 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Be as you are and you will be happy, if you try…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rahul/happiness-is-a-state-of-mind-and-not-a-state-of-possession-be-as-you-2/) [Rahul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rahul/) ## More by Terence > [Fortune helps the brave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence/fortune-helps-the-brave/) [Terence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence/) > [I take it to be a principle rule of life, not to be too much addicted to any one thing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence/i-take-it-to-be-a-principle-rule-of-life-not-to-be-too-much-addicted/) [Terence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence/) > [I am a man, and whatever concerns humanity is of interest to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence/i-am-a-man-and-whatever-concerns-humanity-is-of-interest-to-me/) [Terence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence/) > [How unfair the fate which ordains that those who have the least should be always adding to the treasury of the wealthy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence/how-unfair-the-fate-which-ordains-that-those-who-have-the-least/) [Terence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence/) > [What a grand thing it is to be clever and have common sense.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence/what-a-grand-thing-it-is-to-be-clever-and-have-common-sense/) [Terence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence/) > [Their silence is enough praise.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence/their-silence-is-enough-praise/) [Terence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence/) > [She ne'er was really charming till she died.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence/she-ne-er-was-really-charming-till-she-died/) [Terence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence/) > [These days flattery wins friends, truth begets hatred.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence/these-days-flattery-wins-friends-truth-begets-hatred/) [Terence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence/) > [You can take a chance with any man who pays his bills on time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence/you-can-take-a-chance-with-any-man-who-pays-his-bills-on-time/) [Terence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence/) > [They are so knowing, that they know nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence/they-are-so-knowing-that-they-know-nothing/) [Terence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence/) > [It is the common vice of all, in old age, to be too intent upon our interests.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence/it-is-the-common-vice-of-all-in-old-age-to-be-too-intent-upon-our/) [Terence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence/) > [We are all of us the worse for too much liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence/we-are-all-of-us-the-worse-for-too-much-liberty/) [Terence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence/) > [Lovers quarrels are the renewal of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence/lovers-quarrels-are-the-renewal-of-love/) [Terence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence/) > [Extreme law is often extreme injustice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence/extreme-law-is-often-extreme-injustice/) [Terence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence/) > [The less my hope, the hotter my love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence/the-less-my-hope-the-hotter-my-love/) [Terence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence/) [Explore all 58 Terence quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence/) ## More Doubt quotes > [I put myself in the student's place and remember the frustrations, doubts, determination, and desires I felt when I was going through the initial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ted-martinez/i-put-myself-in-the-student-s-place-and-remember-the-frustrations/) [Ted Martinez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ted-martinez/) > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [I don't doubt that straight white men have identity issues and identity complexes and struggle with defining themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/justin-simien/i-don-t-doubt-that-straight-white-men-have-identity-issues-and/) [Justin Simien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/justin-simien/) > [“Where there is doubt (shanka), there is misery. 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Once one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dada-bhagwan/where-there-is-doubt-shanka-there-is-misery-the-moment-one-begins-to/) [Dada Bhagwan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dada-bhagwan/) > [We know accurately only when we know little, with knowledge doubt increases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/we-know-accurately-only-when-we-know-little-with-knowledge-doubt/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [There is no doubt in my mind and I know in my time, there will be a Canadian basketball player playing for Toronto Raptors, 100%](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/masai-ujiri/there-is-no-doubt-in-my-mind-and-i-know-in-my-time-there-will-be-a/) [Masai Ujiri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/masai-ujiri/) > [How could you feel worthless when God has honoured you by creating you and choosing you to be with Him, in this life and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmin-mogahed/how-could-you-feel-worthless-when-god-has-honoured-you-by-creating/) [Yasmin Mogahed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmin-mogahed/) > [“Let no one hope to find in contemplation an escape from conflict, from anguish or from doubt. On the contrary, the deep, inexpressible certitude…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-merton/let-no-one-hope-to-find-in-contemplation-an-escape-from-conflict-from/) [Thomas Merton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-merton/) > [“Two powerful, little words I've learned to use when facing challenges, fears, and doubts— so what? ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-e-goodrich/two-powerful-little-words-i-ve-learned-to-use-when-facing-challenges/) [Richelle E. Goodrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-e-goodrich/) > [For diplomacy to be effective, words must be credible - and no one can now doubt the word of America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-w-bush/for-diplomacy-to-be-effective-words-must-be-credible-and-no-one-can/) [George W. Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-w-bush/) > [Vision motivates, sustains and dispels doubt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-young/vision-motivates-sustains-and-dispels-doubt/) [Thomas Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-young/) > [One may not doubt that, somehow Good Shall come of Water and of Mud; And sure, the reverent eye must see A purpose in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupert-brooke/one-may-not-doubt-that-somehow-good-shall-come-of-water-and-of-mud/) [Rupert Brooke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupert-brooke/) > [Let smiles overshadow sadness. Let faith make you believe. Let confidence wash away doubts. Let love complete your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/let-smiles-overshadow-sadness-let-faith-make-you-believe-let/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [When in doubt, suggest that a subcommittee be appointed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-chapman/when-in-doubt-suggest-that-a-subcommittee-be-appointed/) [Harry Chapman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-chapman/) > [“Those who contemplate never escape the doubt.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henning-mankell/those-who-contemplate-never-escape-the-doubt/) [Henning Mankell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henning-mankell/) [Browse all 9,582 Doubt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "When the mind is in a state of uncertainty the smallest impulse directs it to either side.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Terence" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence/when-the-mind-is-in-a-state-of-uncertainty-the-smallest-impulse/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Doubt" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence/when-the-mind-is-in-a-state-of-uncertainty-the-smallest-impulse/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/261/terence-11479_doubt_when-the-mind-is-in-a-state-of-uncertain_2003438.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/261/terence-11479_doubt_when-the-mind-is-in-a-state-of-uncertain_2003438.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/261/terence-11479_doubt_when-the-mind-is-in-a-state-of-uncertain_2003438.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When the mind is in a state of uncertainty the smallest impulse directs it to either side.” — Terence", "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": "Terence", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terence/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "When the mind is in a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence/when-the-mind-is-in-a-state-of-uncertainty-the-smallest-impulse/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terence/when-the-mind-is-in-a-state-of-uncertainty-the-smallest-impulse/#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 } } ] } ```