Achievement; the death of endeavor and the birth of disgust.
Interpretation
The quote suggests that once achievement is attained, the desire to strive for more can lead to dissatisfaction.
Ambrose Bierce's quote highlights the paradox of achievement, suggesting that once a goal is reached, the excitement and desire that fueled the efforts may turn into disillusionment. It implies that the journey and struggle are valuable, and achieving a goal can sometimes lead to a sense of emptiness if one is not careful to maintain ongoing passion and ambition. The transition from endeavor to disgust reflects the emotional complexity surrounding success and the potential for loss of motivation.
In practice
In a motivational speech about perseverance, one might reference this quote to illustrate the challenges faced after achieving a goal.
PALM, n. A species of tree . . . of which the familiar "itching palm" ("Palma hominis") is most widely distributed . . . . This noble vegetable exudes a kind of invisible gum, which may be detected by applying to the bark a piece of gold or silver.
Human nature is pretty well balanced; for every lacking virtue there is a rough substitute that will serve at a pinch--as cunning is the wisdom of the unwise, and ferocity the courage of the coward.
Indigestion: A disease which the patient and his friends frequently mistake for deep religious conviction and concern for the salvation of mankind. As the simple Red Man of the Western Wild put it, with, it must be confessed, a certain force: 'Plenty well, no pray; big belly ache, heap God.'
Disobey n:To celebrate with an appropriate ceremony the maturity of a command
NOUMENON, n. That which exists, as distinguished from that which merely seems to exist, the latter being a phenomenon. The noumenon is a bit difficult to locate; it can be apprehended only by a process of reasoning - which is a phenomenon.
PARDON, v. To remit a penalty and restore to the life of crime. To add to the lure of crime the temptation of ingratitude.
Quality without results is pointless. Results without quality is boring.
Before everything else, getting ready is the secret of success.
I want to remind you that success in life is based on hard slogging. There will be periods when discouragement is great and upsetting, and the antidote for this is calmness and fortitude and a modest yet firm belief in your competence. Be sure that your priorities are in order so that you can proceed in a logical manner, and be ever mindful that nothing will take the place of persistence.
Unless each man produces more than he receives, increases his output, there will be less for him than all the others.
If we recognize our talents and use them appropriately, and choose a field that uses those talents, we will rise to the top of our field.
An idea isn't worth that much. It's the execution of the idea that has value. If you can't convince one other person that this is something to devote your life to, then it's not worth it.
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