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?
You have discovered the spiritual universe. Many others have discovered this same world, but each must make the discovery for himself. You are going to have a lot of joy sailing around this world of yours. Don't fight the opinions of others, or waste your time arguing over these things. Follow the inward gleam of your consciousness and you will arrive.
All wars are won or lost before they are ever fought.
Excellent warriors are not violent.
Much as we wish, not one of us can bring back yesterday or shape tomorrow. Only today is ours, and it will not be ours for long, and once it is gone it will never in all time be ours again. Thou only knowest what it holds in store for us, yet even we know something of what it will hold. The chance to speak the truth, to show mercy, to ease anotherβs burden. The chance to resist evil, to remember all the good times and good people of our past, to be brave, to be strong, to be glad.
Men of integrity, by their very existence, rekindle the belief that as a people we can live above the level of moral squalor. We need that belief; a cynical community is a corrupt community.
We destroy ourselves when we stop feeling. If you bury your feelings within you, you become a graveyard.
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