The characteristic of genuine heroism is its persistency. All men have wandering impulses, fits and starts of generosity. But when you have resolved to be great, abide by yourself, and do not weakly try to reconcile yourself with the world. The heroic cannot be the common, nor the common the heroic.
Interpretation
Genuine heroism is persistent and unwavering in the face of challenges, distinguishing true greatness from common behavior.
This quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson emphasizes that true heroism is marked by its consistency and resolve. While many may have fleeting moments of generosity or bravery, a genuine hero is someone who has made a steadfast commitment to greatness and does not waver or compromise this commitment for the sake of fitting into societal norms or expectations. The quote suggests that to be truly heroic, one must embrace their individuality and remain firm in their principles, regardless of external pressures.
In practice
This quote can inspire people during a motivational speech about overcoming challenges.
It is plain that there is no separate essence called courage, no cup or cell in the brain, no vessel in the heart containing drops or atoms that make or give this virtue; but it is the right or healthy state of every man, when he is free to do that which is constitutional to him to do.
Few people have any next, they live from hand to mouth without a plan, and are always at the end of their line.
Men cease to interest us when we find their limitations
Tis the good reader that makes the good book; a good head cannot read amiss: in every book he finds passages which seem confidences or asides hidden from all else and unmistakeably meant for his ear.
The world belongs to the energetic.
Hast thou named all the birds without a gun?
I do oppose_x000D_ _x000D_ My patience to his fury, and am arm'd_x000D_ _x000D_ To suffer, with a quietness of spirit,_x000D_ _x000D_ The very tyranny and rage of his.
Every woman must own her story; otherwise we are all part of the silence.
We have to stand up for these issues when it's tough, and that's what I've done. I did it when I was in the state legislature, sponsoring the Illinois version of the DREAM Act, so that children who were brought here through no fault of their own are able to go to college, because we actually want well-educated kids in our country who are able to succeed and become part of this economy and part of the American dream.
No matter how many red Xs we write on our hands to end slavery, as long as these same hands are clicking on pornographic websites and scrolling through sexual pictures and videos, we are frauds to the core.
My strength comes from my abdomen. It's the center of gravity and the source of real power.
The peril of the hour moved the British to tremendous exertions, just as always in a moment of extreme danger things can be done which had previously been thought impossible. Mortal danger is an effective antidote for fixed ideas.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.