Rabindranath Tagore uses a vivid metaphor to illustrate the necessity of action. Contemplating a goal, planning for it, and dreaming about it are all important, but they are not the same as undertaking the journey.

You can stand on the shore forever, analyzing the waves and fearing the depths, but you will never reach the other side. The only way to cross is to build a boat, or swim, or find another means—to take that first decisive step into the unknown. This requires courage and initiative.

This quote is a push towards decisive action. It reminds us that achievement requires movement, and that we must be willing to leave the safety of the shore if we ever want to discover new horizons.