“The secret of getting things done is to act!”
- c. 1265 – September 14, 1321
- Italian
- Poet, Writer, Philosopher, Author of The Divine Comedy
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Quote
“The secret of getting things done is to act!”
Explanation
This quote is frequently attributed to Dante Alighieri, but there is no evidence that he wrote or spoke these words in any of his verified works, including The Divine Comedy, Convivio, or his political writings. The phrase is structured as a modern motivational maxim, with a directness and tone that are not characteristic of Dante’s 14th-century poetic or philosophical style.
Dante did, however, value decisive moral action and criticized those who failed to act in times of moral urgency—most notably the neutral souls in Inferno, who are punished not for sin but for refusing to take a stand. While the spirit of responsibility and commitment to action aligns with his broader worldview, this quote is too modern in phrasing and lacks a credible textual source to be considered authentic.
Because of this, a full explanation grounded in Dante’s authority is not appropriate. Although the quote promotes a valuable principle—that initiative is essential to accomplishment—it should be recognized as a modern aphorism inspired by themes Dante explored, rather than a line he himself authored.
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