“The attempt and not the deed confounds us.”
- April 26, 1564 – April 23, 1616
- Born in England
- Playwright, poet, actor
- Wrote many masterpieces such as “Hamlet,” “Romeo and Juliet,” and “Macbeth,” and had a great influence on English literature
Quote
“The attempt and not the deed confounds us.”
Explanation
This quote from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar suggests that it is not the outcome of an action, but the intention or attempt that often causes confusion or disarray. “The attempt” refers to the effort or the action taken toward achieving something, while “not the deed” implies that the actual result of that attempt may be secondary to the perception or reaction to the attempt itself. The quote reflects how good intentions or well-meaning actions can sometimes cause more trouble or misunderstanding than the actual consequence of those actions, especially when the attempt goes awry or is perceived as misguided.
In modern contexts, this quote can speak to the idea that people are often judged by their efforts rather than by the outcome of those efforts. For example, someone may try to help but end up causing unintended harm, leading to a misunderstanding of their intentions. The confusion comes not from the result but from how others perceive the attempt—how motives and actions are interpreted, regardless of the actual end result. It suggests that sometimes well-intentioned actions can lead to unintended consequences, and it is the misinterpretation of those efforts that causes confusion.
Ultimately, this quote highlights the complexity of intentions and perception in human interactions. It encourages us to consider not just the results of our actions, but also how our intentions are understood by others, and how those intentions can sometimes be misunderstood or cause confusion even if the result was not negative. It calls for a deeper understanding of the motives behind actions, rather than rushing to judge based on the surface outcome.
