A good intention clothes itself with sudden power. When a god wishes to ride, any chip or pebble will bud and shoot out winged feet, and serve him for a horse.
Interpretation
Good intentions can manifest great power, enabling even the simplest things to achieve greatness.
This quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson illustrates the idea that when there is a genuine intention behind an action, the potential for success and transformation becomes immense. It suggests that even the smallest or most insignificant elements can lead to significant outcomes when driven by a strong, positive purpose. The imagery used here emphasizes that the right mindset can turn ordinary circumstances into extraordinary opportunities.
In practice
During a motivational speech about overcoming obstacles, this quote can inspire the audience to believe in the power of their intentions.
It is plain that there is no separate essence called courage, no cup or cell in the brain, no vessel in the heart containing drops or atoms that make or give this virtue; but it is the right or healthy state of every man, when he is free to do that which is constitutional to him to do.
Few people have any next, they live from hand to mouth without a plan, and are always at the end of their line.
Men cease to interest us when we find their limitations
Tis the good reader that makes the good book; a good head cannot read amiss: in every book he finds passages which seem confidences or asides hidden from all else and unmistakeably meant for his ear.
The world belongs to the energetic.
Hast thou named all the birds without a gun?
It sounds plausible enough tonight, but wait until tomorrow. Wait for the common sense of the morning.
Wisdom is not attained by years, but by ability
It is great that even before we become enlightened or generate any lam-rim realizations we are able to offer incredible benefit to others. The person who does this is a very fortunate person and should rejoice very often.
Evil draws its power from indecision and concern for what other people think.
Refrain from asking what going to happen tomorrow, and everyday that fortune grants you, count as gain.
Write down the thoughts and even more, write down a specific line. If you don't, it'll fly away forever.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.