O suffering, sad humanity! O ye afflicted ones, who lie Steeped to the lips in misery, Longing, yet afraid to die, Patient, though sorely tried!
Henry Wadsworth LongfellowRead
Most people would succeed in small things if they were not troubled with great ambitions.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Great ambitions can sometimes hinder people from succeeding in smaller, more manageable goals.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's quote suggests that many individuals have the potential to achieve success in small endeavors if they do not become overwhelmed by lofty ambitions. The pursuit of grand goals can lead to distraction and prevent one from recognizing and achieving smaller successes that may ultimately lead to greater fulfillment.
Themes
AmbitionSuccessGoalsAchievementSmall Things
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech focused on workplace productivity.
More from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
All quotes βThere are moments in life, when the heart is so full of emotion That if by chance it be shaken, or into its depths like a pebble Drops some careless word, it overflows, and its secret, Spilt on the ground like water, can never be gathered together.
Henry Wadsworth LongfellowRead
Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody.
Henry Wadsworth LongfellowRead
To be seventy years old is like climbing the Alps. You reach a snow-crowned summit, and see behind you the deep valley stretching miles and miles away, and before you other summits higher and whiter, which you may have strength to climb, or may not. Then you sit down and meditate and wonder which it will be.
Henry Wadsworth LongfellowRead
God is not dead; nor doth He sleep; ... _x000D_ The wrong shall fail,_x000D_ The right prevail,_x000D_ With peace on earth, good will to men.
Henry Wadsworth LongfellowRead
In the long run men hit only what they aim at.
Henry Wadsworth LongfellowRead
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