The work an unknown good man has done is like a vein of water flowing hidden underground, secretly making the ground green.
Thomas CarlyleRead
A great man shows his greatness by the way he treats little men.
Interpretation
True greatness is reflected in how one treats those who are less powerful.
This quote emphasizes that the true measure of a person's greatness is not solely determined by their achievements or status, but is instead indicated by their treatment of others, particularly those who are vulnerable or in lesser positions. A truly great individual displays their character through kindness, respect, and consideration for all, regardless of their societal standing.
In practice
During a leadership seminar, one might share this quote to discuss the importance of empathy in effective leadership.
The work an unknown good man has done is like a vein of water flowing hidden underground, secretly making the ground green.
Thirty millions, mostly fools.
There is a great discovery still to be made in literature, that of paying literary men by the quantity they do not write.
For the superior morality, of which we hear so much, we too would desire to be thankful: at the same time, it were but blindness to deny that this superior morality is properly rather an inferior criminality, produced not by greater love of Virtue, but by greater perfection of Police; and of that far subtler and stronger Police, called Public Opinion.
Enjoying things which are pleasant; that is not the evil; it is the reducing of our moral self to slavery by them that is.
Clean undeniable right, clear undeniable might: either of these once ascertained puts an end to battle. All battle is a confused experiment to ascertain one and both of these.
The prevailing system of management has crushed fun out of the workplace.
It's only when they join together in a forward movement that this country moves ahead.
I don't invest anymore in entrepreneurs who don't have charisma.
If we allow the celebrity rock-star model of leadership to triumph, we will see the decline of corporations and institutions of all types. The twentieth century was a century of greatness, but we face the very real prospect that the next century will see very few enduring great institutions.
We cannot hope, then, in this generation, or for several generations, that the mass of the whites can be brought to assume that close sympathetic and self-sacrificing leadership of the blacks which their present situation so eloquently demands. Such leadership, such social teaching and example, must come from the blacks themselves.
A major reason capable people fail to advance is that they don't work well with their colleagues.
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