Nothing is more durable than the dynasty of Doubt; for he reigns in the hearts of all his people, but gives satisfaction to none of them, and yet he is the only despot who can never die, while any of his subjects live.
Charles Caleb ColtonRead
Constant success shows us but one side of the world. For as it surrounds us with friends who will tell us only our merits, so it silences those enemies from whom alone we can learn our defects.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Success can create an echo chamber that obscures our weaknesses, preventing us from receiving constructive criticism.
This quote emphasizes the idea that constant success can lead us to be surrounded by only those who praise us and ignore criticism, which is essential for growth. While success brings accolades and friendship, it also creates a barrier to honest feedback from those who may challenge us, highlighting the need for balance in our perceptions of success and failure.
Themes
SuccessCriticismLearningGrowthFriendsEnemies
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about the importance of resilience and accepting failure.
More from Charles Caleb Colton
All quotes →It is astonishing how much more people are interested in lengthening life than improving it.
Charles Caleb ColtonRead
The benevolent have the advantage of the envious, even in this present life; for the envious man is tormented not only by all the ill that befalls himself, but by all the good that happens to another; whereas the benevolent man is the better prepared to bear his own calamities unruffled, from the complacency and serenity he has secured from contemplating the prosperity of all around him.
Charles Caleb ColtonRead
Happiness, that grand mistress of the ceremonies in the dance of life, impels us through all its mazes and meanderings, but leads none of us by the same route.
Charles Caleb ColtonRead
Our minds are as different as our faces. We are all traveling to one destination: happiness, but few are going by the same road.
Charles Caleb ColtonRead
Moderation is the inseparable companion of wisdom, but with it genius has not even a nodding acquaintance.
Charles Caleb ColtonRead
Similar quotes
Just sick enough to be totally confident
Hunter S. ThompsonRead
In sorrow, pretend to be fearless. In happiness, tremble.
Jane HirshfieldRead
When the wires are all down and your heart is covered with the snows of pessimism and the ice of cynicism, then, and only then, have you grown old.
Samuel UllmanRead
The days have taught you not to trust happiness because it hurts when it deceives.
Mahmoud DarwishRead
When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.
Khalil GibranRead
I suppose no one is as handsome or as beautiful as he or she wishes, or as brilliant in school or as witty in speech or as wealthy as we would like, but in a world of varied talents and fortunes that we can't always command, I think that makes even more attractive the qualities we can command--such qualities as thoughtfulness, patience, a kind word, and true delight in the accomplishment of another. These cost us nothing, and they can mean everything to the one who receives them.
Jeffrey R. HollandRead