But I like not these great successes of yours; for I know how jealous are the gods.
Interpretation
Success can breed jealousy and scrutiny, especially from higher powers or society.
This quote reflects the idea that great successes come with their own set of challenges, particularly in the form of jealousy. The speaker, likely contemplating the nature of success, suggests that such achievements can draw the envy of others, including the gods, resulting in complications and pressures that may not be immediately apparent to those who experience them.
In practice
During a motivational speech about the pitfalls of success.
The Scythians take kannabis seed, creep in under the felts, and throw it on the red-hot stones. It smolders and sends up such billows of steam-smoke that no Greek vapor bath can surpass it. The Scythians howl with joy in these vapor-baths, which serve them instead of bathing, for they never wash their bodies with water.
The man who has planned badly, if fortune is on his side, may have had a stroke of luck; but his plan was a bad one nonetheless.
Men trust their ears less than their eyes.
Great deeds are usually wrought at great risks.
The worst pain a man can have is to know much and be impotent to act.
All men's gains are the fruit of venturing.
Tell your readers to use it or lose it. If you don't use your muscles, they get weak. If you don't use your mind it begins to fail.
Brass shines as fair to the ignorant as gold to the goldsmiths.
Here's what I advise any young struggling actress today: The important thing is to develop as a woman first, and a performer second. You wouldn't prostitute yourself to get a part, not if_x000D_ you're in the right mind. You won't be happy, whatever you do, unless you're comfortable with your own conscience.
We have nothing to lose by trusting the infinite power of the Self, except the bondage of our own ignorance.
The Little Boy and the Old Man Said the little boy, "Sometimes I drop my spoon." Said the old man, "I do that too." The little boy whispered, "I wet my pants." I do that too," laughed the little old man. Said the little boy, "I often cry." The old man nodded, "So do I." But worst of all," said the boy, "it seems Grown-ups don't pay attention to me." And he felt the warmth of a wrinkled old hand. I know what you mean," said the little old man.
You must not procrastinate. Rather, you should make preparations so that even if you did die tonight, you would have no regrets. If you develop an appreciation for the uncertainty and imminence of death, your sense of the importance of using your time wisely will get stronger and stronger.
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