I never yet heard man or woman much abused that I was not inclined to think the better of them, and to transfer the suspicion or dislike to the one who found pleasure in pointing out the defects of another.
Jane PorterRead
People do not always understand the motives of sublime conduct, and when they are astonished they are very apt to think they ought to be alarmed. The truth is none are fit judges of greatness but those who are capable of it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Greatness is often misunderstood, and only those who can appreciate it truly understand its value.
In this quote, Jane Porter expresses the idea that people often misinterpret noble actions and those who achieve greatness. She suggests that true understanding of greatness can only come from individuals who have the capacity for similar noble motives and actions themselves, highlighting the disconnect between perception and true merit.
Themes
GreatnessUnderstandingMotivesConductJudgment
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about leadership qualities in a seminar.
More from Jane Porter
All quotes →Happiness is a sunbeam which may pass through a thousand bosoms without losing a particle of its original ray; nay, when it strikes on a kindred heart, like the converged light on a mirror, it reflects itself with redoubled brightness. It is not perfected till it is shared.
Jane PorterRead
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