Knowing isn't enough. Apply it. Wanting isn't enough. Do it.

What it means

Information and good intentions are cheap. What counts is putting knowledge to use and turning will into action. Close the gap between what you know and what you do.

The source

"Knowing isn't enough. Apply it. Wanting isn't enough. Do it." Goethe said it in Wilhelm Meister's Journeyman Years, From Makarie's Archive. Translated from the original German by Spartan Surfers.

"Es ist nicht genug, zu wissen, man muß auch anwenden; es ist nicht genug, zu wollen, man muß auch tun."

Original German, Wilhelm Meister's Journeyman Years, From Makarie's Archive. Text read at gutenberg.org.

Who said it

Goethe (1749–1832). German poet, novelist, scientist and statesman, author of Faust. He believed knowing is worthless until it becomes doing.

Questions

What does "Knowing isn't enough. Apply it. Wanting isn't enough. Do it." mean?

Information and good intentions are cheap. What counts is putting knowledge to use and turning will into action. Close the gap between what you know and what you do.

Who said "Knowing isn't enough. Apply it. Wanting isn't enough. Do it."?

Goethe (1749–1832). Source: Wilhelm Meister's Journeyman Years, From Makarie's Archive.

What is the original German?

Es ist nicht genug, zu wissen, man muß auch anwenden; es ist nicht genug, zu wollen, man muß auch tun. Translated from the original German by Spartan Surfers.

Is "Knowing isn't enough. Apply it. Wanting isn't enough. Do it." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Knowing isn't enough. Apply it. Wanting isn't enough. Do it." (Goethe, Wilhelm Meister's Journeyman Years, From Makarie's Archive, translated by Spartan Surfers). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/knowing-isnt-enough-apply-it-wanting-isnt-enough