Art is the daughter of freedom.
The average estimate themselves by what they do, the above average by what they are.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that people of average ability evaluate themselves based on their actions, while those who are above average assess their worth based on their character and potential.
Friedrich Schiller's quote highlights a profound distinction between how individuals perceive their self-worth. Those who consider themselves average often gauge their value through their accomplishments and actions, focusing on tangible results. In contrast, those with higher aspirations and abilities evaluate themselves through their inherent qualities, values, and the potential they possess. This perspective offers a deeper understanding of self-worth, urging individuals to look beyond mere achievements and recognize the importance of character in self-assessment.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about personal growth.
More from Friedrich Schiller
All quotes βThere is no such thing as chance; and what seem to us merest accident springs from the deepest source of destiny.
Who dares nothing, need hope for nothing.
While the womanly god demands our veneration, the godlike woman kindles our love; but while we allow ourselves to melt in the celestial loveliness, the celestial self-sufficiency holds us back in awe.
As noble Art has survived noble nature, so too she marches ahead of it, fashioning and awakening by her inspiration. Before Truth sends her triumphant light into the depths of the heart, imagination catches its rays, and the peaks of humanity will be glowing when humid night still lingers in the valleys.
Wise to resolve, patient to perform.
Similar quotes
My self healing lies in praying for those who have harmed me.
I find that many Christians are in trouble about the future; they think they will not have grace enough to die by. It is much more important that we should have grace enough to live by. It seems to me that death is of very little importance in the meantime. When the dying hour comes, there will be dying grace; but you do not require dying grace to live by.
We will gradually become indifferent to what goes on in the minds of other people when we acquire a knowledge of the superficial nature of their thoughts, the narrowness of their views and of the number of their errors. Whoever attaches a lot of value to the opinions of others pays them too much honor.
The wiser a man is, the less talkative will he be.
Be secret and exult, Because of all things known That is most difficult.
Darling, replied Valentine, has not the count just told us that all human wisdom was contained in these two words,- "Wait and hope"?