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.
So to any of us, whatever those things are: whatever it is we look up to, whatever it is we look forward to, and whoever it is we're chasin'. To that I say: Amen. To that I say: Alright, alright, alright. To that I say: Just keep livin'. Thank you.
When fate hands you a lemon, make lemonade.
When you have to work with and exist amongst cynical, burned-out personnel on a set, it doesn't matter what you're shooting or how much you're being paid - it's not worth it.
I always knew I was destined for greatness.
The fruit we wish to pick tomorrow lies hidden in the seed of today. The goals we are to read and the problems we are to solve tomorrow depend upon today's diligence, hope and faith, today's conviction of the almightiness of good.
There is no such thing as a lousy job - only lousy men who don't care to do it.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.