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Life is a great university for the unfolding of the mind, for developing character. In choosing our life work, when we are free to choose, we should remember this, and choose that which will call the biggest man or woman out of us and not that from which we can coin the most dollars.
Orison Swett Marden
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Life's experiences shape our character, and we should choose careers that develop us rather than just earn money.

This quote emphasizes the importance of pursuing a life work that enriches our character and personal growth, rather than solely focusing on financial gain. It suggests that life is a profound teacher, and when we have the freedom to choose our path, we should opt for opportunities that bring out our best selves, promoting both our intellect and personal development.

Themes

LifeCharacterChoicesWorkGrowthHappiness

In practice

Example use cases

During a graduation speech, you might quote this to inspire students to pursue passions rather than just lucrative jobs.

More from Orison Swett Marden

Opportunity is latent in the very foundation of human society. Opportunity is everywhere about us. But the preparation to seize upon the opportunity, and to make the most of it, is to be made by every one for himself ... he will be self-made or never made.
Orison Swett MardenRead
We lift ourselves by our thought, we climb upon our vision of ourselves. If you want to enlarge your life, you must first enlarge your thought of it and of yourself. Hold the ideal of yourself as you long to be, always, everywhere - your ideal of what you long to attain - the ideal of health, efficiency, success.
Orison Swett MardenRead
You know from past experiences that whenever you have been driven to the wall, or thought you were, you have extricated yourself in a way which you never would have dreamed possible had you not been put to the test. The trouble is that in your everyday life you don't go deep enough to tap the divine mind within you.
Orison Swett MardenRead
You cannot measure a man by his failures. You must know what use he makes of them. What did they mean to him. What did he get out of them.
Orison Swett MardenRead
Something greater than wealth, grander even than fame — that manhood, character, stand for success, and that nothing else really does.
Orison Swett MardenRead
Many a man has finally succeeded only because he has failed after repeated efforts. If he had never met defeat he would never have known any great victory.
Orison Swett MardenRead

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