A big man has no time really to do anything but just sit and be big.
Interpretation
True greatness involves being present and embodying one's success rather than being overly busy with trivial tasks.
F. Scott Fitzgerald suggests that a truly successful person, or a 'big man', should focus on embodying their stature and presence rather than getting caught up in the hustle of daily activities. This reflects the idea that genuine accomplishment comes from being authentic and secure in oneβs identity, rather than being preoccupied with the tasks that can distract from what truly matters.
In practice
In a speech about leadership, I might say, 'As Fitzgerald reminds us, a big man has no time but to sit and be big, highlighting the importance of presence in our roles.'
Don't be so anxious about it,' she laughed. 'I'm not used to being loved. I wouldn't know what to do; I never got the trick of it.' She looked down at him, shy and fatigued. 'So here we are. I told you years ago that I had the makings of Cinderella.' He took her hand; she drew it back instinctively and then replaced it in his. 'Beg your pardon. Not even used to being touched. But I'm not afraid of you, if you stay quiet and don't move suddenly.
The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.
It was about then [1920] that I wrote a line which certain people will not let me forget: "She was a faded but still lovely woman of twenty-seven."
The words seemed to bite physically into Gatsby.
But you can love more than just one person, can't you?
A sudden gust of rain blew over them and then another - as if small liquid clouds were bouncing along the land. Lightning entered the sea far off and the air blew full of crackling thunder. The table cloths blew around the pillars. They blew and blew and blew. The flags twisted around the red chairs like live things, the banners were ragged, the corners of the table tore off through the burbling billowing ends of the cloths.
Frankly I've never really subscribed to these adjectives tagging me as an 'icon', 'superstar', etc. I've always thought of myself as an actor doing his job to the best of his ability.
I have known lots of millionaires who were not happy men; they had not got all they wanted and therefore had failed to find success in life. A Singalese proverb says: "He who is happy is rich, but it does not follow that he who is rich is happy." The really rich man is the man who has fewest wants.
Achievement does not require extraordinary ability. Achievement comes from ordinary abilities applied with extraordinary persistence.
I'm shocked every time that I've reached so many finals or won against so many players or whatever record it is. It strikes me and makes me obviously very happy and very proud that I've been able to do it for so many years at the highest of levels.
Working with great people makes you great; you learn a lot and it also gives you the experience and confidence to move on with your own career.
There is no victory at bargain basement prices.
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