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Everybody wants to be good, but not many are prepared to make the sacrifices it takes to be great. To many people, being nice in order to be liked is more important. There's equal merit in that, but you must not confuse being good with being liked.
Paul Arden
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Interpretation

What this quote means

True greatness requires sacrifices that many are unwilling to make, as often people prioritize being liked over being good.

In this quote, Paul Arden emphasizes that while everyone aspires to be good, the journey toward true greatness demands significant sacrifices that not everyone is willing to make. He points out the common tendency to seek approval and likability, suggesting that while being liked has its own value, it shouldn't overshadow the pursuit of genuine goodness and excellence, which often requires deeper commitment and resilience.

Themes

GreatnessSacrificeGoodnessApprovalLikability

In practice

Example use cases

During a leadership seminar to illustrate the meaning of true leadership and sacrifice.

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