There is a well-worn adage that those who set out upon a great enterprise would do well to count the cost. I am not sure that this is always true. I think that some of the very greatest enterprises in this world have been carried out successfully simply because the people who undertook them did not count the cost; and I am much of the opinion that… the most instructive consideration for us is the cost of doing nothing.

About Thomas Henry Huxley

Thomas Henry Huxley (4 May 1825 – 29 June 1895) was an English biologist and anthropologist who specialised in comparative anatomy. He has become known as "Darwin's Bulldog" for his advocacy of Charles Darwin's theory of evolution.

More quotations from Thomas Henry Huxley

Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not.

—Thomas Henry Huxley

education will desire

More quotations tagged with “consideration”

Think occasionally of the suffering of which you spare yourself the sight.

—Albert Schweitzer

fear suffering consideration

Liberals are very broadminded: they are always willing to give careful consideration to both sides of the same side.

—Unknown

politics open-mindedness liberal consideration

The meeting of a customer and a clerk across the service counter in a store is as significant as two leaders of nations meeting over a conference table in search of peace. If peace and understanding is possible, it must occur in the moment that is present. It can occur only when relationship is real and unconditional. Relationship begins with thoughtless awareness, an openness that sees and hears with humility, and a consideration that has already forgiven all things that the mind might present as a barrier to unity.

—Booker Jones

awareness forgiveness peace relationship humility business service significance consideration

History

1 Jan 2016 Added
26 Oct 2026 Wording changed

Previous wording

There is a well-worn adage that those who set out upon a great enterprise would do well to count the cost. I am not sure that this is always true. I think that some of the very greatest enterprises in this world have been carried out successfully simply because the people who undertook them did not count the cost; and I am much of the opinion that . . . the most instructive consideration for us is the cost of doing nothing.