Some give up their designs when they have almost reached the goal; while others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at the last moment, more vigorous efforts than ever before.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the importance of perseverance and effort, especially when nearing a goal.
Herodotus highlights the contrasting attitudes of individuals facing challenges close to their goals. Some may choose to give up just as success is within reach, while others find the strength to push harder and achieve victory, demonstrating that tenacity and effort in the final moments can lead to success.
In practice
In a motivational speech to students before their final exam.
The Scythians take kannabis seed, creep in under the felts, and throw it on the red-hot stones. It smolders and sends up such billows of steam-smoke that no Greek vapor bath can surpass it. The Scythians howl with joy in these vapor-baths, which serve them instead of bathing, for they never wash their bodies with water.
The man who has planned badly, if fortune is on his side, may have had a stroke of luck; but his plan was a bad one nonetheless.
Men trust their ears less than their eyes.
Great deeds are usually wrought at great risks.
The worst pain a man can have is to know much and be impotent to act.
All men's gains are the fruit of venturing.
We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers.
You still have a lot of time to make yourself be what you want. There's still lots of good in the world. Tell Dally. I don't think he knows.
When I was 13, I told Henry Winkler I wanted to act. He said, Do it and don't let anyone stand in your way. His validation just made it all the more true. I haven't stopped thanking him since.
There are times in life when, instead of complaining, you do something about your complaints.
Even failures can turn into something positive if you just keep going. I wrote a television pilot called 'Head of the Family.' CBS didn't want it. It was considered a failure. But we reworked it. A year later, it became 'The Dick Van Dyke Show.'
You close the door on me and tell me I can't, I'm gonna find a way to get in.
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