Sense shines with a double luster when it is set in humility. An able yet humble man is a jewel worth a kingdom.
William PennRead
We are too apt to love praise, but not to deserve it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
People often seek admiration without working hard to earn it.
This quote highlights a common human tendency to crave recognition and compliments while neglecting the necessity of putting in effort to deserve such praise. It suggests that true worth comes from one's actions and character rather than superficial approval from others.
Themes
PraiseDeserveLoveEffortRecognition
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech to inspire hard work among employees.
More from William Penn
All quotes βWhere thou art Obliged to speak, be sure speak the Truth: For Equivocation is half way to Lying, as Lying, the whole way to Hell.
William PennRead
Man, being made reasonable, and so a thinking creature, there is nothing more worthy of his being than the right direction and employment of his thoughts; since upon this depends both his usefulness to the public, and his own present and future benefit in all respects.
William PennRead
Do good with what thou hast, or it will do thee no good.
William PennRead
To be a man's own fool is bad enough, but the vain man is everybody's.
William PennRead
Unless virtue guide us our choice must be wrong.
William PennRead
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Being in humaneness is good. If we select other goodness and thus are far apart from humaneness, how can we be the wise?
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