Digging Quote by William Easterly
“When you are in a hole, the top priority is to stop digging.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Development Economics lecture, 2005
When stuck in a problem, the first step is to stop worsening it before seeking solutions.
In simple terms: Stop worsening a problem before trying to fix it.
Key Takeaway
Pause, assess, then act wisely.
Themes
problem solving
patience
strategic thinking
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
practical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- project management
- personal crises
- financial planning
Key Concepts
feedback loops
critical assessment
self‑regulation
Questions to Reflect On
- When is it better to act despite risks?
- How can you recognize when to pause?
A Different Perspective
Stopping may delay needed action if overused.
![“The Ancient One, as you know, is the master, is the Sorcerer Supreme, and [Doctor] Strange comes to learn how to heal himself and The Ancient One has got the knowledge. And so what you're seeing today is a part of the whole training section when he's learning the moves and digging deep. So it's…” quote by Tilda Swinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/263/tilda-swinton-4434_ancient_the-ancient-one-as-you-know-is-the-maste_38175.jpg)
