Choose Quote by Ursula K. Le Guin
“When I was young, I had to choose between the life of being and the life of doing. And I leapt at the latter like a trout to a fly. But each deed you do, each act, binds you to itself and to its consequences, and makes you act again and yet again. Then very seldom do you come upon a space, a time like this, between act and act, when you may stop and simply be. Or wonder who, after all, you are.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Wave in the Mind, 1995
She contrasts a life of pure being with a life of continual doing, noting the rarity of moments for pure reflection.
In simple terms: Choosing action over being limits self‑reflection.
Key Takeaway
Make space for stillness.
Themes
action
being
reflection
consequence
Mood
contemplative
philosophical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career decisions
- creative work
- daily routines
- meditation practice
Key Concepts
existentialism
mindfulness
Questions to Reflect On
- When was the last time you paused to just be?
- How does constant doing shape your sense of self?
A Different Perspective
Constant activity can drown out the chance to simply be.
