“It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan” is a one-line saying that has been cited in print since at least 1956. It’s not known who originated the saying.
Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) has been credited with the line, but only since the 1990s. It’s unlikely that she originated it and it’s doubtful that she ever said it.
5 December 1956, The Independent Record (Helena, MT), pg. 11, col. 8 classified ad:
It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.
(Rock Hand and Company—ed.)
Old Fulton NY Post Cards
14 February 1957, Rogersville (TN) Review, pg. 3, col. 5:
Remember it takes just as much energy to wish as it does to plan.
4 April 1957, Olney (TX) Enterprise, pg. 9, col. 4:
Remember it takes just as much energy to wish as it does to plan.
22 October 1958, Greensboro (NC) Record, “Day Under Your Sign,” pg. A9, col. 2:
AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 to Feb. 19)
Remember that it takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.
Old Fulton NY Post Cards
12 October 1961, Marcellus (NY) Observer, “Marcellus Observer-ations” by Melinda Mulroy, pg. 8, col. 2:
Thought For Today: It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.
Google News Archive
20 February 1968, The Herald-Tribune (Sarasota, FL), Earl Wilson syndicated entertainment column, pg. 24, col. 7:
REMEMBERED QUOTE: “It takes as much energy to wish as it does it plan.”
Google News Archive
8 November 1972, Fort Scott (KS) Tribune, pg. 10, col. 1:
Words of Wisdom: It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.
Google Books
Brilliance:
Uncommon Voices from Uncommon Women
By Dan Zadra and Susan Carlson
Edmonds, WA: Compendium
1995
Pg. ?:
It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.—Eleanor Roosevelt
Twitter
PBS
@PBS It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan ~ER #RooseveltsPBS
1:12 PM - 18 Sep 2014
Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
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