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He had no failings which were not owing to a noble cause; to an ardent, generous, perhaps an immoderate passion for fame; a passion which is the instinct of all great souls.
Edmund Burke
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote reflects on the idea that a person's failings often stem from their noble ambitions and passions, particularly the desire for fame.

Edmund Burke's quote suggests that the flaws or failings exhibited by great individuals are often linked to their strong, passionate drive for recognition and fame. This drive, while leading to potential shortcomings, is also portrayed as a noble instinct that is characteristic of remarkable souls. The quote encourages a nuanced view of ambition, implying that it is the very passion for greatness that motivates individuals, despite the risks of failure associated with it.

Themes

FailingsNoble CausePassionFameGreat Souls

In practice

Example use cases

This quote could be used in a motivational speech to emphasize the importance of ambition despite setbacks.

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