The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
When fortune surprises us by giving us some great office without having gradually led us to expect it, or without having raised our hopes, it is well nigh impossible to occupy it well, and to appear worthy to fill it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Unexpected fortune can make it difficult to fulfill new responsibilities.
This quote reflects on the challenges of suddenly receiving a significant position or responsibility without prior preparation. When fortune brings about unexpected opportunities, it can lead to feelings of inadequacy and pressure to prove oneself, as the individual may not have had time to adjust their expectations or mindset for such a role.
Themes
FortuneResponsibilitySurpriseOpportunitySuccess
In practice
Example use cases
During a commencement speech to highlight the unpredictability of success.
More from Francois De La Rochefoucauld
All quotes →Old men delight in giving good advice as a consolation for the fact that they can no longer set bad examples.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
Some counterfeits reproduce so very well the truth that it would be a flaw of judgment not to be deceived by them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
Conceit causes more conversation than wit.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
The defects and faults of the mind are like wounds in the body; after all imaginable care has been taken to heal them up, still there will be a scar left behind, and they are in continual danger of breaking the skin and bursting out again.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
To understand matters rightly we should understand their details; and as that knowledge is almost infinite, our knowledge is always superficial and imperfect.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
Similar quotes
We have too many high-sounding words, and too few actions that correspond with them.
Abigail AdamsRead
Twice and thrice over, as they say, good is it to repeat and review what is good.
PlatoRead
The condition of the most passionate enthusiast is to be preferred over the individual who, because of the fear of making a mistake, won't in the end affirm or deny anything
Thomas CarlyleRead
To boast of a performance which I cannot beat is merely stupid vanity. And if I can beat it that means there is nothing special about it. What has passed is already finished with. What I find more interesting is what is still to come.
Emil ZatopekRead
I learned that good judgment comes from experience and that experience grows out of mistakes.
Omar N. BradleyRead
One doesn't stay in a state of nirvana by hiding from difficulties. You stay in nirvana by lavishing nirvana on everyone you meet, by giving it away as fast as you receive it.
AdyashantiRead