What does this quote mean?

Question

"The relationship between commitment and doubt is by no means an antagonistic one. Commitment is healthiest when it's not without doubt but in spite of doubt."

I have read this quote a few times over and over and I am still having trouble figuring out what it means. Can someone break it down to me in simple terms?

Answer 1

basically it's saying that not having doubt isn't always the best thing because that would assume that somebody is perfect... when u can stay committed even when there is doubt in the air then you know it's real.

like some people think that a relationship without arguments is great, when in fact arguments are healthy cuz it shows that there are things in the relationship that you are both passionate enough about to actually get into a "spirited" discussion about.

Answer 2

The human mind always has some natural doubts, which are unavoidable, and this is also true when a person makes a commitment. The quotation means, that one should not feel guilty about human natural doubts that occur, after making a commitment. That person is great, who despite inherently nagging doubts, has the courage, integrity and resources to fulfill commitments made by him/her.

Answer 3

What it means is that people think of commitment as someting that is beyond doubt. In a sense, people don't think that there can be commitement when there is doubt. What the quote is saying is doubt is but natural, but don't let it hold you back. Be commited to the commitment, even in face of doubt. In a sense it says have conviction in what you do, even in adverse situations.

Answer 4

it actually means (for me ) that commitment and doubt is on the opposite sides... but if there is only commitment without the test of doubt it is not more that a one sided game or a given answer to question, but with doubt it make you prove if the commitment you have is the one tested and will last.

Answer 5

After reading it through... it makes sense. Commitment is serious, to have doubts is an investigative approach towards the commitment. So, I'll give you a quote that seems to be on the same track;

"If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything"

Is that it?

Answer 6

I believe it's saying that commitment and doubt should not be always treated as opposite paths, but that you arrive at commitment when you've weighed it with doubts, and you conquer those doubts with the decision to commit. Whoever invented the English language, is confusing.

Answer 7

The author is discussing the link between a commitment (or a promise) and doubt. He said that the two are complementary. A promise (or its performance) is very important when the person promising is being doubted upon. A promise by someone who is not being doubted upon is just one those many promises.

The quotation is interesting because it is logical.

Answer 8

From what i can see that is two seperate sentences that dont really relate to one another, the first defining what the relationship between commitment and doubt is not; the second stating how the relationship should be.... , you know i bet it was some wannabee intellectual that wrote that knowing that it kinda sounds smart, and knowing that knowone wants to sound dumb they are going to pretend they know what he just said... cause looking at it writen takes a second to process the possible definitions and context of the structure... but i dont know im a retard.. tru shite...

Answer 9

To me it says commitment is healthiest when a person commits even though they have some doubt(s).

Answer 10

The relationship bwt. commitment & doubt are symbiotic-they go hand in hand. One's committment should be judged on the basis of its strength in the face of doubt---or--committment is easy when there's nothing to doubt-who can't committ 2 a sure thing? the real test comes when you're not sure of the outcome