A great man stands on God. A small man on a great man.
Interpretation
True greatness is rooted in a higher purpose, while lesser individuals depend on those who are greater than themselves.
This quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson suggests that true greatness comes from a strong foundation of faith and principles, represented by 'God', indicating that a truly great person is humble and recognizes a greater power. In contrast, those who merely stand upon the successes of others lack true depth and significance, as their greatness is derived from someone else's achievements.
In practice
This quote can be used in a motivational speech to inspire leaders to seek deeper meaning in their actions.
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?
Who shall enumerate the many ways in which that costly piece of fixed capital, a human being , may be employed! More of him is wanted everywhere! Hunt, then, for some situation in which your humanity may be used.
Come, then, affliction, if my Father wills, and be my frowning friend. A friend that frowns is better than a smiling enemy.
If we could be twice young and twice old we could correct all our mistakes.
You do not lose your value or preciousness when you grow to be a adult. You are still that miraculous creation. You must work, we must all work, to make the world worthy of its children.
A man knows when he has found his vocation when he stops thinking about how to live and begins to live.
I grew up Presbyterian. Presbyterians thought the Methodists were wrong. Catholics thought all Protestants were wrong. The Jews thought the Christians were wrong. So, what I'm financing is humility. I want people to realize that you shouldn't think you know it all.
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