The quote “Hee that should have what hee hath not, should doe what he doth not” by George Herbert is an old-fashioned way of saying that if you want something you don’t currently have, you must do something you’re not currently doing. It speaks to the necessity of change and action in order to attain our desires.
This quote emphasizes the concept of personal responsibility and initiative. If there’s a goal or aspiration we wish to achieve, it’s up to us to take the necessary steps towards reaching it. Simply wishing or hoping for change won’t bring about any results – action is required.
An interesting perspective on this quote could be seen from a growth mindset point of view. The idea here is that in order to acquire new skills or achieve new goals, we need to step out of our comfort zones and try things we haven’t done before. This might involve taking risks, facing potential failure, and persevering through challenges – but these are all part of the process towards growth and achievement.
In today’s world where instant gratification is often sought after, this quote reminds us that real accomplishment comes from hard work and persistence. For instance, if someone wants a promotion at work but isn’t willing to put in extra hours or take on additional responsibilities, they’re unlikely to achieve their goal.
In terms of personal development too this idea holds true. If one wishes for self-improvement – be it emotional maturity, physical fitness or intellectual prowess – they must engage in activities they haven’t done before like reading more books for knowledge expansion; exercising regularly for better health; practicing mindfulness for enhanced mental well-being etc.
Therefore ‘doing what one does not’ essentially means stepping into unfamiliar territory with courage and determination which ultimately leads towards attaining ‘what one has not’.
