The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
Few things are impracticable in themselves; and it is for want of application, rather than of means, that men fail to succeed.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Success often depends more on effort and determination than on resources or talent.
This quote emphasizes that the primary barrier to success is not the lack of resources or abilities, but rather the lack of application or effort. It suggests that if individuals apply themselves more diligently to their endeavors, they are likely to find success despite the obstacles they face. Success is within reach for those who are willing to put in the necessary work and perseverance.
Themes
SuccessApplicationEffortDeterminationFailure
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational talk, to illustrate the importance of hard work over innate talent.
More from Francois De La Rochefoucauld
All quotes βOld men delight in giving good advice as a consolation for the fact that they can no longer set bad examples.
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Some counterfeits reproduce so very well the truth that it would be a flaw of judgment not to be deceived by them.
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Conceit causes more conversation than wit.
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The defects and faults of the mind are like wounds in the body; after all imaginable care has been taken to heal them up, still there will be a scar left behind, and they are in continual danger of breaking the skin and bursting out again.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
To understand matters rightly we should understand their details; and as that knowledge is almost infinite, our knowledge is always superficial and imperfect.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
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