Meaning: Henri Frederic Amiel, a Swiss philosopher, and poet, made this profound statement about the relationship between action and thought. In this quote, Amiel suggests that when thoughts are put into action, they lose their refined and abstract nature and become more tangible, obscure, and unconscious. This quote encapsulates the idea that the process of transforming thoughts into actions can lead to a coarsening or simplification of the original thoughts.

Amiel's assertion that "Action is coarsened thought; thought becomes concrete, obscure, and unconscious" implies that when thoughts are translated into action, they are stripped of their complexity and richness. This transformation can occur as thoughts are implemented in the real world, where they may encounter various constraints and limitations that force them to become more concrete and simplistic. As a result, the original nuanced and intricate nature of the thoughts is diminished, and they become obscured and less conscious to the individual.

One interpretation of Amiel's quote is that the act of translating thoughts into action involves a process of simplification and concretization. When thoughts are purely mental constructs, they can be elaborate, nuanced, and open to interpretation. However, once they are translated into action, they become fixed and tangible, losing some of the original depth and complexity. This process can lead to a loss of awareness and consciousness regarding the original thoughts, as they become absorbed into the actions and behaviors of the individual.

Moreover, Amiel's statement suggests that the act of putting thoughts into action can lead to unconscious behavior. When thoughts are transformed into concrete actions, individuals may not always be fully aware of the underlying thought processes that guided their behavior. This can result in unconscious or automatic responses, where individuals act without fully understanding the origin of their actions. In this sense, the transformation of thought into action can lead to a loss of conscious awareness and self-reflection.

This quote also highlights the potential consequences of turning abstract thoughts into concrete actions. While action is necessary for progress and change, Amiel's words caution against the potential loss of depth and consciousness that may accompany this process. It serves as a reminder to remain mindful of the coarsening effect that action can have on our thoughts and to strive for a balance between action and introspection.

In summary, Henri Amiel's quote captures the transformative nature of turning thoughts into action. It suggests that the process of concretizing thoughts through action can lead to a coarsening, obscurity, and unconsciousness of the original thoughts. This quote encourages reflection on the potential consequences of translating abstract thoughts into tangible actions and serves as a reminder to remain mindful of the complex relationship between thought and action.