One must pass through the circumference of time before arriving at the center of opportunity.
Baltasar GracianRead
An athlete must have ability to reach the top, but many who have ability and who do not live clean lives never have and never will be champions for obvious reasons.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Success in athletics requires both talent and integrity.
Major Taylor emphasizes that while natural ability is essential for athletes to reach the pinnacle of their sport, character and ethical behavior are equally important. Athletes who lack integrity, despite their talent, will ultimately fall short of true championship status, as their personal choices impact their professional success.
Themes
AthleteSuccessIntegrityChampionshipAbility
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech for young athletes emphasizing the importance of character.
Similar quotes
Yes, winning the gold medal was undoubtedly the biggest day of my career - mostly because I won the way I had prepared to run it. It was a totally satisfying experience.
Frank ShorterRead
If you don't win a Super Bowl, you're not considered successful in the National Football League. I can remember, when we finally won that first one, feeling so good for the players and fans.
Tom LandryRead
It is not only by one's impulses that one achieves greatness, but also by patiently filing away the steel wall that separates what one feels from what one is capable of doing.
Vincent Van GoghRead
As I was growing up, I did a lot of talent shows. I won fifteen Sunday nights straight in a series of talent shows in Macon. I showed up the sixteenth night, and they wouldn't let me go on any more. Whatever success I had was through the help of the good Lord.
Otis ReddingRead
Records are there to be broken. Lots of people would love to swap their world record for an Olympic medal, but for me, my medals are there forever and ever, and that's what does it for me.
Mo FarahRead