
Act as if what you would accomplish were impossible. You will find that it is possible. — David A. Hume, Scotland.
—What lingers after this line?
Mindset of Possibility
This quote promotes a mindset that challenges the limitations we often impose on ourselves. By acting as if our goals are unattainable, we can push beyond conventional boundaries and discover new pathways to success.
Overcoming Self-Doubt
Hume's words encourage individuals to confront and overcome self-doubt. When we approach challenges with the belief that the outcome is impossible, we free ourselves from fear and open ourselves up to trying innovative approaches.
Empowerment through Action
The emphasis on 'acting as if' suggests that action plays a critical role in achievement. By taking bold steps even in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, we can catalyze change and realize our potential.
Innovation and Creativity
When we assume that our goals are impossible, it spurs creativity and innovation. Finding new solutions and ideas often emerges from challenging the norms and pushing boundaries.
Philosophical Context
David A. Hume, an 18th-century Scottish philosopher, is known for his empiricism and skepticism. His work often revolved around human understanding and the nature of belief, and this quote reflects his philosophical approach to challenging the status quo.
Recommended Reading
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
One-minute reflection
What does this quote ask you to notice today?
Related Quotes
6 selectedTo begin again is not a weakness; it is the most courageous act you can perform when the weight of the past becomes too heavy to carry. — Rupi Kaur
Rupi Kaur
At first glance, starting over can look like failure, as though one has lost ground and must return to the beginning. Yet Rupi Kaur’s line overturns that assumption by framing renewal as an act of bravery rather than sur...
Read full interpretation →I have accepted fear as part of life, especially the fear of change. I have gone ahead despite the pounding in the heart that says: turn back. — Erica Jong
Erica Jong
Erica Jong’s statement begins with an act of realism rather than defeat: she does not claim to conquer fear, only to accept it as part of life. That distinction matters, because it shifts courage away from fearlessness a...
Read full interpretation →It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena. — Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Roosevelt draws an immediate line between observation and participation, arguing that commentary alone is not the measure of character. The “critic” may be eloquent, even accurate about mistakes, yet still remains safely...
Read full interpretation →If you're making a mistake, it's better to make a new one. — Pearl Bailey
Pearl Bailey
Pearl Bailey’s line sounds playful, but it carries a sharp philosophy: once you realize you’re wrong, repeating the same error isn’t loyalty to a decision—it’s inertia. By suggesting it’s “better to make a new one,” she...
Read full interpretation →Courage is less about fearlessness than training the mind to act with clarity and conviction. — Ranjay Gulati
Ranjay Gulati
Ranjay Gulati’s line begins by overturning a common myth: that courage belongs to people who simply don’t feel afraid. Instead, he frames fear as normal—and even expected—while locating courage in what happens next.
Read full interpretation →Dare to begin where fear says to stop; the first step redraws the map — Paulo Coelho
Paulo Coelho
Paulo Coelho’s line treats fear less as a warning and more as a border we mistakenly accept as permanent. When fear says “stop,” it often isn’t pointing to actual danger; it’s signaling uncertainty, inexperience, or the...
Read full interpretation →More From Author
More from David A. Hume, Scotland. →