We don't think our way to right action, we act our way to right thinking

[1cor13]

The information gathered while looking for this quote has lead me to believe it has more than one origin. Much like the Greek and Hebrew Concept of Knowledge I’m sure that the passage of time has disfigured its appearance and meaning.

Think like a man of action, act like a man of thought.
Henri Bergson the man that wrote this quote was a French Scientist DOB 10-18-1859 and Died 01-04-41 the age of the quote and the time frame of Mr. Bergsons death put a possible spin on how it may have originated in the program but there were too many key elements missing. Most of the slogans came from AA literature this was close but not on target.

Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do.
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was German born 09-28-1749 and died 03-22-1832. For personal reasons I found his work with colors worth further investigating. Although I did find Goethe’s work referenced in a Grape Vine article but still a no show on the quote in question.

My biggest lead was a term paper written by a college student written in 2007. The paper described the concepts of knowledge and had the direct quote we wanted. Still no mention of the quotes history but the term paper did mention alcohol as an example to the quotes validity. So I wondered (plagiarism).

The Quote came from a Book called Delivering Results: A New Mandate for Human Resource Professionals it was published in 1998 from the Harvard Business School Press. The quote in the book is an exact match to the one in question and I have no reason to look elsewhere. I have no reason to believe this quote is related to AA in any way shape or form but it wouldn’t surprise me to one day find it staring back at me from a wall hanging.

Truth lives, in fact, for the most part on a credit system. Our thoughts and beliefs pass, so long as nothing challenges them, just as bank-notes pass so long as nobody refuses them.
William James

[CarolD]

How interesting ....Thanks!

[1cor13]

Sorry just wanted to make sure I gave it another look and am glad I did.

The quote appears to be in several other books as well. All the books appear to be about business, economics, self help and leadership. One book did say that a man named Richard Pascale had suggested that we are more likely to “act our way into a new way of thinking than to think our way into a new way of acting. Richard Pascale has written several books one was entitled, “The Art of Japanese Management”.

Considering all the different versions on this quote and how it is being used and who is using it I’m thinking perhaps some sort of Asian proverb. Then again it is being used by other authors like Jo Berry and Rebecca Hanson whose beliefs basically surround the 7 laws of the universe and success comes from following in the footsteps of others who have preceded you. This would make sense considering this quote is being used by everyone.

This still leads me to believe self knowledge will not fix me. I could think my way into a better life or I can act my way into better thinking.

God is everything or he is nothing and the Key that has unlocked the door for me is LOVE.

[collinsmi]

My sponsor uses that quote all the time. Heard a variation on a Chuck C tape - may be in "A New Pair of Glasses" too (that was also the title of the tape). Chuck replaced the words think and thinking with live and living.

[1cor13]

Collinsmi
Thank you for the response and yes it’s a good quote. I don’t have access to Chuck C’s book “A New Pair of Glasses” so I don’t really know if the quote is in the book. I don’t believe that his books are approved by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services so that fact alone makes the quote non approved AA literature. That doesn’t mean that its not good it just doesn’t mean it’s not AA.

I do know that there are hundreds of books with this quote in it. The different books date back many decades and well into this decade. They range from Politics, Economics, Self Help, Sexual Preference; the list goes on and on and on. If you do find something please continue to post I would like to know who wrote it.

There is only one thing a philosopher can be relied upon to do, and that is to contradict other philosophers.
William James

[1cor13]

This was an email I received I kept his name out of the post. Well that ends that I thought Aristotle was involve once I started reading his stuff. What’s next?

There is not a recorded beginning by an AA because this saying really originates with Aristotelian philosophy. This is called Consequentialism, moral rightness of acts leads to virtuous character. For example you can not learn to play the piano by reading a book about it you have to play one. Same goes for the program you can not learn the steps by reading them or book about them but by practicing the principles we achieve a sober state of mind. And you can quote me on that.


The email came from the AA Archives..