Many a genius has been slow of growth. Oaks that flourish for a thousand years do not spring up into beauty like a reed.
Interpretation
Great achievements often take time to develop, just like strong trees grow slowly.
This quote emphasizes that the journey toward greatness and intellectual maturity is often gradual rather than instantaneous. It suggests that, like a mighty oak tree, which takes years to grow and become strong, true genius may require patience and time for the full potential to be realized, contrasting it with the quick growth of a reed which lacks the same enduring strength.
In practice
In a motivational speech about pursuing a long-term goal, I could use this quote to remind the audience that true success takes time.
What signifies protesting so against flattery when a person speaks well of one, it must either be true or false, you know if true, let us rejoice in his good opinion if he lies, it is a proof at least that he loves more to please me, than to sit s
It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble, it's what we know that ain't so.
The Buddha taught that we're not actually in control, which is a pretty scary idea. But when you let things be as they are, you will be a much happier, more balanced, compassionate person.
True meditation can never be done with the mind. Very often we make a mistake when we say that we are meditating in the mind and utilising the mind. Real meditation is done in the psychic being and in the soul. It goes hand in hand with flaming aspiration, the burning flame that wants to climb up to the Highest.
Many of us spend our whole lives running from feeling with the mistaken belief that you can not bear the pain. But you have already borne the pain. What you have not done is feel all you are beyond that pain.
When you doubt between words, use the plainest, the commonest, the most idiomatic. Eschew fine words as you would rouge; love simple ones as you would the native roses on your cheek.
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