Action Quote by William James
“When thoughts do not neutralize an undesirable emotion, action will.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Principles of Psychology, 1890
When thoughts fail to calm a negative feeling, taking action becomes necessary to address it.
In simple terms: Thoughts alone can't calm bad feelings; act instead.
Act to change feelings.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- stress management
- conflict resolution
- personal growth
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What feelings could you address through action?
- When is reflection preferable to action?
Action may not always resolve the underlying cause.