How many a man has thrown up his hands at a time when a little more effort, a little more patience would have achieved success.
Elbert HubbardRead
Be yourself and think for yourself, and while your conclusions may not be infallible they will be nearer right than the inclusions forced upon you by those who have a personal interest in keeping you in ignorance.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote encourages individuality and critical thinking, suggesting that personal conclusions are more reliable than external influences.
Elbert Hubbard emphasizes the importance of self-authenticity and independent thought. He warns against blindly accepting views imposed by others, especially those with vested interests, asserting that our own reasoning, despite its imperfections, is wiser and more truthful than the misinformation we may receive from those seeking to keep us uninformed.
Themes
IndividualityCritical ThinkingSelf-AwarenessIgnoranceTruth
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech on personal growth.
More from Elbert Hubbard
All quotes →The mintage of wisdom is to know that rest is rust, and that real life is love, laughter, and work.
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Many people fail in life, not for lack of ability or brains or even courage but simply because they have never organized their energies around a goal.
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He has achieved success who has worked well, laughed often, and loved much.
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Truth, in its struggles for recognition, passes through four distinct stages. First, we say it is damnable, dangerous, disorderly, and will surely disrupt society. Second, we declare it is heretical, infidelic and contrary to the Bible. Third, we say it is really a matter of no importance either one way or the other. Fourth, we aver that we have always upheld it and believed it.
Elbert HubbardRead
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