Nobody holds a good opinion of a man who has a low opinion of himself.
Anthony TrollopeRead
Nothing surely is as potent as a law that may not be disobeyed. It has the force of the water drop that hollows the stone. A small dainty task, if it be really daily, will beat the labours of a spasmodic Hercules.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the power of inevitable laws and the strength of consistent effort over sporadic actions.
In this quote, Anthony Trollope suggests that certain laws or principles are unbreakable and have immense influence, much like water that gradually wears down stone. He also highlights the effectiveness of consistent, small efforts over time, implying that steady dedication can achieve more than infrequent, forceful attempts, embodied by the metaphor of a 'spasmodic Hercules'.
Themes
LawConsistencyEffortPersistencePower
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about persistence in achieving personal goals.
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