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Our greatness has always come from people who expect nothing and take nothing for granted - folks who work hard for what they have, then reach back and help others after them.
Michelle Obama
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Interpretation

What this quote means

True greatness comes from selfless individuals who work hard and uplift others without expecting anything in return.

Michelle Obama's quote emphasizes the idea that true greatness is a result of humility and hard work. It highlights the importance of individuals who do not take their accomplishments for granted and instead focus on contributing to the well-being of others, fostering a cycle of support and encouragement. By illustrating the value of reaching back to help others, the quote calls for a collective effort towards communal upliftment and the recognition that our achievements are often intertwined with the contributions of those around us.

Themes

GreatnessSelflessnessHard WorkCommunitySupport

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about community service, one might say, 'As Michelle Obama reminds us, our greatness comes from those who help others.'

More from Michelle Obama

Childhood obesity isn't some simple, discrete issue. There's no one cause we can pinpoint. There's no one program we can fund to make it go away. Rather, it's an issue that touches on every aspect of how we live and how we work.
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What I admire most about Hillary is that she never buckles under pressure. She never takes the easy way out. And Hillary Clinton has never quit on anything in her life.
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We all need to start making some changes to how our families eat. Now, everyone loves a good Sunday dinner. Me included. And there's nothing wrong with that. The problem is when we eat Sunday dinner Monday through Saturday.
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Oh, I can't play soccer, and I'm not a great swimmer. I won't drown, but you won't see me doing laps in a pool.
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I worked with Congress on legislation, gave speeches to CEOs, military generals and Hollywood executives. But I also worked to ensure that my efforts would resonate with kids and families - and that meant doing things in a creative and unconventional way. So, yeah, I planted a garden and hula-hooped on the White House lawn with kids.
Michelle ObamaRead
Elections aren't just about who votes but who doesn't vote.
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