--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is scarcely an instant that passes…" description: "\"There is scarcely an instant that passes over our heads that may not have its freight of infamy. How ought we to watch over our thoughts, that we may n..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f53/william-godwin-1978_how_there-is-scarcely-an-instant-that-passes_461602.jpg" --- # There is scarcely an instant that passes over our heads… ![“There is scarcely an instant that passes over our heads that may not have its freight of infamy. How ought we to watch over our thoughts, that we may not so much as imagine any enormity!” quote by William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f53/william-godwin-1978_how_there-is-scarcely-an-instant-that-passes_461602.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f53/william-godwin-1978_how_there-is-scarcely-an-instant-that-passes_461602.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f53/william-godwin-1978_how_there-is-scarcely-an-instant-that-passes_461602.jpg) > “There is scarcely an instant that passes over our heads that may not have its freight of infamy. How ought we to watch over our thoughts, that we may not so much as imagine any enormity!” [William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Thoughts can quickly become corrupt; vigilance over mental content prevents immoral imagination. **In simple terms:** Watch thoughts to avoid evil ideas. Key Takeaway Practice mindful thinking. Themes ethics thought control morality Mood thoughtful cautious Type philosophical ethical When to use this quote - education - leadership - personal development Key Concepts cognitive vigilance self‑discipline philosophical introspection Questions to Reflect On - How can you recognize harmful thoughts early? - What practices help maintain mental purity? A Different Perspective Complete control of thoughts is unrealistic. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Infamy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/infamy/) [Philosophy of Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/philosophy-of-mind/) [Thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thoughts/) ## Related quotes > [“That ought to go well. Watch out for flying hedgehogs!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erin-hunter/that-ought-to-go-well-watch-out-for-flying-hedgehogs/) [Erin Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erin-hunter/) > [I had the idea to use electrical potential collected from the surface of the heat that our brain generates, it's like authentication using the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-elbakyan/i-had-the-idea-to-use-electrical-potential-collected-from-the-surface/) [Alexandra Elbakyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-elbakyan/) > [Here are some passing thoughts. Imagine looking up at the moon and seeing it burning. Imagine seeing the grocery store’s checkout girl grow horns.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-coupland/here-are-some-passing-thoughts-imagine-looking-up-at-the-moon-and/) [Douglas Coupland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-coupland/) > [“No chemical process shows a more wonderful activity than the transforming influence of the thoughts we imagine to be going on in another.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-eliot/no-chemical-process-shows-a-more-wonderful-activity-than-the/) [George Eliot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-eliot/) > [“there is a list of questions i want to ask but never will there is a list of questions i go through in my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupi-kaur/there-is-a-list-of-questions-i-want-to-ask-but-never-will-there-is-a/) [Rupi Kaur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupi-kaur/) > [“Sometimes when I can't sleep and I'm trying to think good thoughts, I imagine the magical place between worlds, the place in the flash…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-roe/sometimes-when-i-can-t-sleep-and-i-m-trying-to-think-good-thoughts-i/) [Robin Roe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-roe/) > [“Imagine a world without words! Imagine a world without thoughts! Imagine a world without actions! If one day, God should mute all words, thoughts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-agyemang-yeboah/imagine-a-world-without-words-imagine-a-world-without-thoughts/) [Ernest Agyemang Yeboah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-agyemang-yeboah/) > [“Your mental make-ups are the contents of your everyday thinking; they carry a charge that can either transform, reform or destroy you. Watch your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/your-mental-make-ups-are-the-contents-of-your-everyday-thinking-they/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [“Clarity of your thoughts makes your actions precise :-) Whenever you feel your actions are not appropriate, watch out your thoughts... :-)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raj-vanjara/clarity-of-your-thoughts-makes-your-actions-precise-whenever-you-feel/) Raj Vanjara > [. Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/watch-your-thoughts-they-become-words-watch-your-words-they-become-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Watch your thoughts. Every thought accepted as true is sent by your brain to your solar plexus - your abdominal brain - and is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murphy/watch-your-thoughts-every-thought-accepted-as-true-is-sent-by-your/) [Joseph Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murphy/) > [Watch your thoughts they become words. Watch your words they become actions. Watch your actions they become habits. Watch your habits they become character.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/km-ii/watch-your-thoughts-they-become-words-watch-your-words-they-become/) [KM II](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/km-ii/) > [Do not be thoughtless, always be mindful, watch your thoughts! Draw yourself out of the path of evil, like an elephant sunk in mud.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gautama-buddha/do-not-be-thoughtless-always-be-mindful-watch-your-thoughts-draw/) [Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/) > [“I like the fact that she thinks. The human face is so legible that it sometimes seems possible to watch their thoughts, the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-bradley-rede/i-like-the-fact-that-she-thinks-the-human-face-is-so-legible-that-it/) [Laura Bradley Rede](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-bradley-rede/) > [“Watch your thoughts-listen to them because they shape your life and evolve into words. They tell a story about you and how you perceive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-miller/watch-your-thoughts-listen-to-them-because-they-shape-your-life-and/) Barbara Miller ## More by William Godwin > [I know nothing worth the living for but usefulness and the service of my fellow-creatures. The only object I pursue is to increase, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/i-know-nothing-worth-the-living-for-but-usefulness-and-the-service-of/) [William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/) > [He that loves reading has everything within his reach.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/he-that-loves-reading-has-everything-within-his-reach/) [William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/) > [There must be room for the imagination to exercise its powers; we must conceive and apprehend a thousand things which we do not actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/there-must-be-room-for-the-imagination-to-exercise-its-powers-we-must/) [William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/) > [In infamy, it is wisely provided that he who stands highest in the ranks of society has the heaviest load to sustain.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/in-infamy-it-is-wisely-provided-that-he-who-stands-highest-in-the/) [William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/) > [No man knows the value of innocence and integrity but he who has lost them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/no-man-knows-the-value-of-innocence-and-integrity-but-he-who-has-lost/) [William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/) > [Study with desire is real activity; without desire it is but the semblance and mockery of activity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/study-with-desire-is-real-activity-without-desire-it-is-but-the/) [William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/) > [“Godwin on Fenelon and his Valet \* Following is an excerpt from William Godwin's Enquiry Concerning Political Justice, Book II, Chapter II: “Of Justice”:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/godwin-on-fenelon-and-his-valet-following-is-an-excerpt-from-william/) [William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/) > [Tenderness is the name for a lover's most exquisite sensation; protection is implied in his most generous and heart-thrilling impulse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/tenderness-is-the-name-for-a-lover-s-most-exquisite-sensation/) [William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/) > [Whenever government assumes to deliver us from the trouble of thinking for ourselves, the only consequences it produces are those of torpor and imbecility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/whenever-government-assumes-to-deliver-us-from-the-trouble-of/) [William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/) > [During my academical life, and from this time forward, I was indefatigable in my search after truth. I read all the authors of greatest…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/during-my-academical-life-and-from-this-time-forward-i-was/) [William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/) > [Was ever a great discovery prosecuted or an important benefit conferred upon the human race by him who was incapable of standing and thinking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/was-ever-a-great-discovery-prosecuted-or-an-important-benefit/) [William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/) > [The real or supposed rights of man are of two kinds, active and passive; the right in certain cases to do as we list;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/the-real-or-supposed-rights-of-man-are-of-two-kinds-active-and/) [William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/) > [Soundness of understanding is connected with freedom of enquiry; consequently, opinion should, as far as public security will admit, be exempted from restraint.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/soundness-of-understanding-is-connected-with-freedom-of-enquiry/) [William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/) > [Power is not happiness. Security and peace are more to be desired than a man at which nations tremble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/power-is-not-happiness-security-and-peace-are-more-to-be-desired-than/) [William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/) > [“Strange that men, from age to age, should consent to hold their lives at the breath of another, merely that each in his turn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/strange-that-men-from-age-to-age-should-consent-to-hold-their-lives/) [William Godwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/) [Explore all 193 William Godwin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/) ## More How quotes > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Academically, I was never that interested. I skipped classes. My biggest dream was to have a coffee shop, but I had no idea how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-espinosa/academically-i-was-never-that-interested-i-skipped-classes-my-biggest/) [Daniel Espinosa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-espinosa/) > [I was very lucky to get well known much later in life. You need to have flopped quite a few times to get a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-clooney/i-was-very-lucky-to-get-well-known-much-later-in-life-you-need-to/) [George Clooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-clooney/) > [As a family, we all loved the Flyers. To me, rooting for the Flyers were how I bonded with my dad especially.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-f-goldberg/as-a-family-we-all-loved-the-flyers-to-me-rooting-for-the-flyers-were/) [Adam F. Goldberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-f-goldberg/) > [I know how hard it is to be a woman, especially a black woman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-tyson/i-know-how-hard-it-is-to-be-a-woman-especially-a-black-woman/) [Mike Tyson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-tyson/) > [This is how McGregor is, waging mental warfare before the fights. There's no way that guy is going to get in my head.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-mendes/this-is-how-mcgregor-is-waging-mental-warfare-before-the-fights-there/) [Chad Mendes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-mendes/) > [I think everyone will agree that it doesn't matter how we get to an international tournament. We are going to do whatever it takes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mcginn/i-think-everyone-will-agree-that-it-doesn-t-matter-how-we-get-to-an/) [John McGinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mcginn/) > [Troy was a sweet, good man. We just were never destined to be married. We just didn't have the same values. But I'm not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-pleshette/troy-was-a-sweet-good-man-we-just-were-never-destined-to-be-married/) [Suzanne Pleshette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-pleshette/) > [How wonderful it would be to scatter words as they rise to consciousness, to let them lie where they fall.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-scott/how-wonderful-it-would-be-to-scatter-words-as-they-rise-to/) [Joanna Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-scott/) > [Pitchers pitch differently. Hitters, hardly anyone has the same stance. That's just how it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-zimmerman/pitchers-pitch-differently-hitters-hardly-anyone-has-the-same-stance/) [Ryan Zimmerman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-zimmerman/) > [Everything affects hip-hop. The question is, how does it affect the money that corporations are going to invest to put out different kinds of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-i-am/everything-affects-hip-hop-the-question-is-how-does-it-affect-the/) [will.i.am](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-i-am/) > [When you see how fragile and delicate life can be, all else fades into the background.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenna-morasca/when-you-see-how-fragile-and-delicate-life-can-be-all-else-fades-into/) [Jenna Morasca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenna-morasca/) > [There's always that discussion about fiction about how do you market it - these are books for boys, these are books for girls, these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-a-weatherly/there-s-always-that-discussion-about-fiction-about-how-do-you-market/) [L.A. Weatherly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-a-weatherly/) > [I've never had a couch that needed to be cleaned or learned how to couch-clean in general. That feels too grown-up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-mckinnon/i-ve-never-had-a-couch-that-needed-to-be-cleaned-or-learned-how-to/) [Kate McKinnon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-mckinnon/) > [People take years learning how to act; it's a skill, not just a job. If I tried it out and thought I'd be OK,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-fimmel/people-take-years-learning-how-to-act-it-s-a-skill-not-just-a-job-if/) [Travis Fimmel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-fimmel/) Browse all 14,172 How quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There is scarcely an instant that passes over our heads that may not have its freight of infamy. How ought we to watch over our thoughts, that we may not so much as imagine any enormity!", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "William Godwin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/there-is-scarcely-an-instant-that-passes-over-our-heads-that-may-not/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "How" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/there-is-scarcely-an-instant-that-passes-over-our-heads-that-may-not/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f53/william-godwin-1978_how_there-is-scarcely-an-instant-that-passes_461602.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f53/william-godwin-1978_how_there-is-scarcely-an-instant-that-passes_461602.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f53/william-godwin-1978_how_there-is-scarcely-an-instant-that-passes_461602.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“There is scarcely an instant that passes over our heads that may not have its freight of infamy. How ought…” — William Godwin", "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": "William Godwin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-godwin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "There is scarcely an instant that...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/there-is-scarcely-an-instant-that-passes-over-our-heads-that-may-not/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-godwin/there-is-scarcely-an-instant-that-passes-over-our-heads-that-may-not/#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 } } ] } ```