i-TFTD #182

#182-1. Men fear thought as they fear nothing else on earth – more than ruin – more even than death. Thought is subversive and revolutionary, destructive and terrible, thought is merciless to privilege, established institutions, and comfortable habit. Thought looks into the pit of hell and is not afraid. Thought is great and swift and free, the light of the world, and the chief glory of man.

-Bertrand Russell

#182-2. No problem can stand the assault of sustained thinking.

-Voltaire

#182-3. Success is the fruit of action, not of potential or ability. Most plans are really nothing more than a defined set of possibilities. Nothing will ever come of a plan by itself.

-Bob Shuneman

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People tend to label themselves and others as thinkers or doers, though we all do both. Thought is powerful. Einstein's thinking revolutionized the world. The difference between my daydreaming and his "thought experiments" seems to be one of subject area scope and intensity. I have alluded to "mental laziness" before. Mind control is the key.

At a more practical level for day-to-day effectiveness for most of us, action-orientation is generally superior to mere thinking.

Let us resolve to lead a year of thoughtful actions.