Greatness is not found in possessions, power, position, or prestige. It is discovered in goodness, humility, service, and character.
William Arthur WardRead
Better to master one mountain than a thousand foothills.
Interpretation
What this quote means
It is more valuable to focus on truly mastering one significant task than to spread oneself too thin over many lesser tasks.
This quote emphasizes the importance of depth over breadth in personal and professional growth. By mastering one major challenge or skill, a person gains meaningful expertise that can lead to greater success and fulfillment, rather than simply skimming the surface of many tasks without achieving true proficiency.
Themes
MasteryFocusSkillSuccessExpertise
In practice
Example use cases
A motivational speaker might use this quote to encourage students to find their passion and hone their skills in that area.
More from William Arthur Ward
All quotes βThe optimist lives on the peninsula of infinite possibilities; the pessimist is stranded on the island of perpetual indecision.
William Arthur WardRead
Four steps to achievement: Plan purposefully. Prepare prayerfully. Proceed positively. Pursue persistently.
William Arthur WardRead
A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.
William Arthur WardRead
Change, like sunshine, can be a friend or a foe, a blessing or a curse, a dawn or a dusk.
William Arthur WardRead
Do more than be fair: be kind.
William Arthur WardRead
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Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life.
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