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Admiration of great men, living or dead, naturally evokes imitation of them in a greater or less degree.
Samuel Smiles
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Interpretation

What this quote means

We are inspired to emulate those we admire, whether they are alive or deceased.

This quote by Samuel Smiles emphasizes the influence that great individuals have on our lives. When we admire the qualities, achievements, or character of remarkable people, it inspires us to aspire to similar standards, leading us to adopt behaviors or values that reflect their greatness, which can be a driving force for personal development and success.

Themes

AdmirationImitationGreatnessInfluenceAspiration

In practice

Example use cases

Using this quote during a motivational speech about personal development.

More from Samuel Smiles

Lost wealth may be replaced by industry, lost knowledge by study, lost health by temperance or medicine, but lost time is gone forever.
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Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us.
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The career of a great man remains an enduring monument of human energy. The man dies and disappears, but his thoughts and acts survive and leave an indelible stamp upon his race.
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Wisdom and understanding can only become the possession of individual men by travelling the old road of observation, attention, perseverance, and industry.
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An intense anticipation itself transforms possibility into reality; our desires being often but precursors of the things which we are capable of performing.
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If we opened our minds to enjoyment, we might find tranquil pleasures spread about us on every side. We might live with the angels that visit us on every sunbeam, and sit with the fairies who wait on every flower.
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