How many a man has thrown up his hands at a time when a little more effort, a little more patience would have achieved success.
Elbert HubbardRead
Strong men can always afford to be gentle. Only the weak are intent on giving as good as they get.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Strength allows for kindness, while weakness fosters retaliation.
This quote by Elbert Hubbard suggests that true strength comes from the ability to show gentleness and compassion, whereas those who feel weak may only seek to respond to aggression with aggression. It emphasizes the idea that strength is not just physical but also emotional and moral, and that a strong person can afford to be kind and understanding in their actions.
Themes
StrengthGentlenessWisdomKindnessWeakness
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a discussion about emotional intelligence in leadership.
More from Elbert Hubbard
All quotes βThe mintage of wisdom is to know that rest is rust, and that real life is love, laughter, and work.
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Many people fail in life, not for lack of ability or brains or even courage but simply because they have never organized their energies around a goal.
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He has achieved success who has worked well, laughed often, and loved much.
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Our finest flowers are often weeds transplanted.
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Truth, in its struggles for recognition, passes through four distinct stages. First, we say it is damnable, dangerous, disorderly, and will surely disrupt society. Second, we declare it is heretical, infidelic and contrary to the Bible. Third, we say it is really a matter of no importance either one way or the other. Fourth, we aver that we have always upheld it and believed it.
Elbert HubbardRead
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