I must lose myself in action, lest I wither in despair.
Interpretation
Engaging in action is essential to avoid feelings of despair.
This quote by Alfred Lord Tennyson emphasizes the importance of taking action as a way to combat feelings of hopelessness and despair. Tennyson suggests that losing oneself in proactive endeavors can provide purpose and fulfillment, preventing stagnation and emotional deterioration.
In practice
During a motivational speech to encourage the team to take initiative.
Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; For though from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crossed the bar.
How many a father have I seen, A sober man, among his boys, Whose youth was full of foolish noise.
O Love! what hours were thine and mine, In lands of palm and southern pine; In lands of palm, of orange-blossom, Of olive, aloe, and maize and vine!
Earth is dry to the centre,_x000D_ But spring, a new comer,_x000D_ A spring rich and strange,_x000D_ Shall make the winds blow_x000D_ Round and round,_x000D_ Thro' and thro',_x000D_ Here and there,_x000D_ Till the air_x000D_ And the ground_x000D_ Shall be fill'd with life anew.
O love, O fire! once he drew With one long kiss my whole soul through My lips, as sunlight drinketh dew.
But thy strong Hours indignant work’d their wills, And beat me down and marr’d and wasted me, And tho’ they could not end me, left me maim’d To dwell in presence of immortal youth, Immortal age beside immortal youth, And all I was, in ashes. - Tithonus
It is impossible to produce superior performance unless you do something very different.
No great goal was ever easily achieved.
Something you want badly enough can always be gained. No matter how fierce the enemy, how remote the beautiful lady, or how carefully guarded the treasure, there is always a means to the goal for the earnest seeker. The unseen help of the guardian gods of heaven and earth assure fulfillment.
If you don't make bold moves, the world doesn't move forward.
If you don't fail now and again, it's a sign you're playing it safe.
The only lost cause is one we give up on before we enter the struggle.
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