How many a man has thrown up his hands at a time when a little more effort, a little more patience would have achieved success.
Elbert HubbardRead
Forbid a man to think for himself or to act for himself and you may add the joy of piracy and the zest of smuggling to his life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote suggests that withholding independent thought and action can lead to a life of rebellion and excitement.
Elbert Hubbard's quote emphasizes the importance of individual thought and action, positing that when people are denied the freedom to think and act for themselves, it can lead to a longing for freedom expressed through rebellious acts. The reference to piracy and smuggling highlights the thrill associated with breaking away from societal norms and expectations, suggesting that autonomy is intertwined with a sense of adventure and fulfillment.
Themes
IndependenceRebellionFreedomThoughtAction
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the importance of critical thinking in education.
More from Elbert Hubbard
All quotes βThe mintage of wisdom is to know that rest is rust, and that real life is love, laughter, and work.
Elbert HubbardRead
Many people fail in life, not for lack of ability or brains or even courage but simply because they have never organized their energies around a goal.
Elbert HubbardRead
He has achieved success who has worked well, laughed often, and loved much.
Elbert HubbardRead
Our finest flowers are often weeds transplanted.
Elbert HubbardRead
Truth, in its struggles for recognition, passes through four distinct stages. First, we say it is damnable, dangerous, disorderly, and will surely disrupt society. Second, we declare it is heretical, infidelic and contrary to the Bible. Third, we say it is really a matter of no importance either one way or the other. Fourth, we aver that we have always upheld it and believed it.
Elbert HubbardRead
Similar quotes
This existence of ours is as transient as autumn clouds To watch the birth and death of beings is like looking at the movements of a dance. A lifetime is like a flash of lightning in the sky, Rushing by, like a torrent down a steep mountain.
Gautama BuddhaRead
OLD, adj. In that stage of usefulness which is not inconsistent with general inefficiency, as an "old man". Discredited by lapse of time and offensive to the popular taste, as an "old" book.
Ambrose BierceRead
History calls those men the greatest who have ennobled themselves by working for the common good; experience acclaims as happiest the man who has made the greatest number of people happy.
Karl MarxRead
It is time enough, for the rightful purposes of civil government, for its officers to interfere [in the propagation of religious teachings] when principles break out into overt acts against peace and good order.
Thomas JeffersonRead
He who sees the Infinite in all things sees God.
William BlakeRead
Instead of working hard to keep their share of a shrinking pie, or working even harder to make sure the industry stays as is, I think the most essential thing legacy book industry players can do is set up independent ventures with great people and little interference and work really hard to put themselves out of business by starting at the bottom, not by reinforcing the top.
Seth GodinRead