QuoteProject
You are inexperienced. So was I, once. So is every man. The measure of a person is not how much they have lived. . . It's in how they make us of what life has shown them.
Brandon Sanderson
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Everyone starts as inexperienced, and true measure comes from how one utilizes their experiences.

This quote by Brandon Sanderson emphasizes that every individual begins their journey with a lack of experience. The real value of a person is not measured by the quantity of their experiences but rather by the wisdom and growth that they derive from those experiences and how they use those lessons to navigate life.

Themes

ExperienceWisdomGrowthLifeLearning

In practice

Example use cases

This quote could be used in a motivational speech to encourage young professionals.

More from Brandon Sanderson

It sounds to me, young one," Haddek said, "that you are searching for something that cannot be found." "The truth?" Sazed said. "No," Haddek replied. "A religion that requires no faith of its believers.
Brandon SandersonRead
Being in charge isn't always about telling people what to do. Sometimes, it's about knowing when to step out of the way of people who know what they're doing. - Tam al'Thor
Brandon SandersonRead
God is the creator of all things, right? He is the force that dictates the laws of the universe, and is therefore the ultimate source of ethics. He is absolute morality... We claim to be doing good. But the Lord Ruler - as God - defines what is good. So by opposing him we're actually evil. But since he's doing the wrong thing, does evil actually count as good in this case?
Brandon SandersonRead
There has to be a balance, Vin," Elend said. "Somehow, we'll find it. The balance between whom we wish to be and whom we need to be." He sighed. "But for now," he said, nodding to the side, "we simply have to be satisfied with who we are.
Brandon SandersonRead
At first glance, the key and the lock it fits may seem very different," Sazed said. "Different in shape, different in function, different in design. The man who looks at them without knowledge of their true nature might think them opposites, for one is meant to open, and the other to keep closed. Yet, upon closer examination he might see that without one, the other becomes useless. The wise man then sees that both lock and key were created for the same purpose.
Brandon SandersonRead
Every action we take has consequences, Vin," Kelsier said. "I've found that in both Allomancy and life, the person who can best judge the consequences of their actions will be the most successful.
Brandon SandersonRead

Similar quotes

You learn that existence is legible but that you have to have a critical mind if you're going to read it.
Tony KushnerRead
It is the nature of the wise to resist pleasures, but the foolish to be a slave to them.
EpictetusRead
I often regret that I have spoken; never that I have been silent.
Publilius SyrusRead
It's not what enters men's mouth that is evil," said the alchemist. It's what comes out of their mouths that is.
Paulo CoelhoRead
What really counts are good endings, not flawed beginnings.
Ibn TaymiyyahRead
The things you get fired for when you’re young are the same things that you get lifetime achievement awards for when you’re old.
Francis Ford CoppolaRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.