Patience Is Also a Form of Action

Why Waiting with Intention Can Be More Powerful Than Moving in Haste

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Monday, October 27, 2025

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Patience is also a form of action.

– Auguste Rodin

At first glance, patience may seem like inaction—a passive waiting for events to unfold. But Rodin, the French sculptor famed for The Thinker and The Kiss, reminds us that patience is not about doing nothing. It is a deliberate, powerful choice—a conscious action in itself.

Expanded Meaning

Patience requires discipline, self-control, and foresight. When you choose patience, you are actively resisting the urge to react impulsively. You are deciding to let things ripen, to give yourself or others the space needed for growth, healing, or clarity. That decision is an action that shapes outcomes just as much as speaking up, making a move, or taking a risk.

  • In Relationships: Patience means listening fully, allowing others to express themselves, and giving trust time to build. This active choice often prevents unnecessary conflict.

  • In Work and Creativity: Every great creation—like Rodin’s sculptures—requires years of persistence. The act of patiently chiseling, refining, and waiting for inspiration is what transforms raw material into art.

  • In Personal Growth: Progress doesn’t always happen overnight. By practicing patience, you actively invest in your future self, recognizing that consistency over time beats quick but fleeting wins.

Context of Origin

Auguste Rodin (1840–1917) revolutionized modern sculpture with his emphasis on emotional depth and realism. His works were often misunderstood and even criticized during his lifetime, but Rodin embodied his own philosophy—he patiently endured criticism, staying committed to his art until the world eventually celebrated him. His life demonstrated that patience isn’t passive—it’s perseverance in motion.

This quote aligns with his belief that great things cannot be rushed. Just as marble yields slowly to the sculptor’s chisel, so too do our goals and transformations take time. Patience, therefore, is not stagnation; it is the steady, intentional act of holding course.

📚 Resource List: Building Patience as a Form of Action

Books

  1. “The Power of Patience” by M.J. Ryan – A practical guide to how patience can be cultivated in daily life and why it leads to more thoughtful, effective action.

  2. “The Obstacle Is the Way” by Ryan Holiday – Uses Stoic philosophy to show how challenges, delays, and setbacks can actually become stepping stones when met with patience and persistence.

  3. “Meditations” by Marcus Aurelius – The Roman emperor’s reflections on discipline, time, and patience as conscious choices in shaping life.

  4. “Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance” by Angela Duckworth – Explores how long-term patience and sustained effort often matter more than raw talent.

  5. “The Art of Waiting” by Belle Boggs – A modern reflection on patience, uncertainty, and the process of waiting in both personal and societal contexts.

Articles & Essays

  • “Patience Is a Skill You Can Learn” (Harvard Business Review) – Research-based insights into how patience functions as an intentional leadership skill.

  • “Why Patience Is a Superpower” (Psychology Today) – Explores how patience reduces stress, improves decision-making, and enhances relationships.

Practices & Habits

  • Mindfulness Meditation – Builds the muscle of patience by training attention to stay in the present moment.

  • Journaling Progress – Recording small daily efforts helps you see growth over time, reinforcing the value of patience.

  • Breathing Exercises (4-7-8 Method) – A quick way to respond with patience instead of impulse during stressful moments.

  • Gardening or Long-term Hobbies – Activities that require nurturing and delayed results naturally teach patience.

  • Accountability Partnerships – Having someone to remind you of long-term goals helps you stay committed when patience feels difficult.

✨ Takeaway for Readers: Patience is not sitting idle—it’s a conscious, empowering act of trust and endurance. Each time you choose to wait with intention, you are taking action that builds stronger results, deeper character, and lasting success.

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