“He knew what had to be done. It is not always the same as knowing what to do.”
Source: The Fall of Hyperion (1990), Chapter 34 (p. 310)
Source: Jane Scroop (her lament for Philip Sparrow) (likely published c. 1509), Colyn Cloute (published c. 1550), Line 1106. Compare: "He knew what ’s what", Samuel Butler, Hudibras, part i, canto i, line 149.
“He knew what had to be done. It is not always the same as knowing what to do.”
Source: The Fall of Hyperion (1990), Chapter 34 (p. 310)
“He knew what 's what, and that 's as high
As metaphysic wit can fly.”
Canto I, line 149
Source: Hudibras, Part I (1663–1664)
“Every spy and saboteur knew what he had to expect when he was arrested.”
Quoted in "The Eichmann Kommandos" - Page 154 - by Michael Angelo Musmanno - 1961.
“Jack was embarrassed — never hero more,
And as he knew not what to say, he swore.”
The Island (1823), Canto III, Stanza 5.
“Old enough to look as if he knew what to do, young enough to look as if he could do it.”
Source: The Tejano Conflict (2014), Chapter 4