As honour, love, obedience, troops of friends, / I must not look to have; but, in their stead, / Curses, not loud but deep, mouth-honour, breath, / Which the poor heart would fain deny, and dare not" (5.3.25-28).
William ShakespeareRead
Some are born great, others achieve greatness.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Greatness can come naturally to some, while others must work hard to attain it.
This quote by William Shakespeare suggests that greatness is not solely a matter of birthright. Some individuals may be born into circumstances that predispose them to greatness, such as wealth, privilege, or talent, while others can achieve greatness through perseverance, hard work, and determination. It highlights the diverse paths people take in their pursuit of success and recognition, emphasizing that both innate ability and effort play important roles in achieving greatness.
Themes
GreatnessSuccessAchievementDeterminationEffort
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech to inspire students to pursue their dreams and ambitions.
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Absence doth sharpen love, presence strengthens it; the one brings fuel, the other blows it till it burns clear.
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Lord, Lord, how this world is given to lying!
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Give it an understanding, but no tongue.
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