"Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!"
About this Quote
Creativity thrives when imagination roams freely in every direction, up, down, left, and right, refusing boundaries or limitations. Dr. Seuss recognizes that thinking in a single dimension rarely leads to new discoveries or original ideas; rather, true innovation emerges when perspectives shift and the mind explores every possibility. By urging people to think “left and right and low and high,” he champions the value of diversity in thought and the importance of venturing beyond the obvious or expected paths.
The power of this message lies in the call to try, to actively engage one’s mind with curiosity and playfulness, rather than passively accepting what is commonly known. Dr. Seuss’s playful language encourages readers to see the process of thinking as an adventure, a process where imagination turns the mundane into something magical. Anyone, regardless of background or circumstance, can generate new and wonderful ideas if curiosity leads and effort follows. Limiting beliefs or the fear of failure often keep people from experimenting with new ways of seeing the world, but Seuss’s words remind us that the very act of trying unlocks the floodgates of possibility.
When imagination is allowed to roam, solutions to problems may appear unexpectedly. Even the most simple or absurd notions can blossom into transformative breakthroughs. Children, whom Dr. Seuss often writes for, naturally excel at this exploratory type of thinking, they combine elements in wild and wonderful ways, unconstrained by adult definitions of what “should” be. Adults, too, can recapture this spirit by giving themselves permission to approach both big challenges and everyday moments with open minds and playful hearts.
Ultimately, the encouragement isn’t just to think, but to think expansively and adventurously, with the promise that effort, not innate talent, unlocks the treasure trove of new thoughts. In a world that often values conformity and routine, Seuss’s words serve as a joyful reminder to dare, to dream, and to try.
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Source | Dr. Seuss, Oh, the Thinks You Can Think! (children's book), 1975 , opening lines containing the quoted couplet. |
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