Pride is founded not on the sense of happiness, but on the sense of power.
William HazlittRead
...greatness sympathises with greatness, and littleness shrinks into itself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Greatness recognizes and connects with other greatness, while those who are small-minded tend to retreat into their own limitations.
This quote by William Hazlitt suggests that individuals who possess greatness are likely to appreciate and resonate with others who share similar qualities. In contrast, those who embody littleness or mediocrity often isolate themselves, failing to engage with others who might challenge or inspire them. This reflection on human nature highlights the importance of surrounding oneself with greatness to foster personal growth and ambition.
Themes
GreatnessLittlenessSympathyHuman NaturePersonal GrowthInspiration
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech about personal development, this quote could be used to emphasize the importance of surrounding oneself with inspiring individuals.
More from William Hazlitt
All quotes βThe world loves to be amused by hollow professions, to be deceived by flattering appearances, to live in a state of hallucination; and can forgive everything but the plain, downright, simple, honest truth.
William HazlittRead
Our repugnance to death increases in proportion to our consciousness of having lived in vain.
William HazlittRead
We can bear to be deprived of everything but our self-conceit.
William HazlittRead
There are few things in which we deceive ourselves more than in the esteem we profess to entertain for our firends. It is little better than a piece of quackery. The truth is, we think of them as we please, that is, as they please or displease us.
William HazlittRead
Prosperity is a great teacher; adversity is a greater. Possession pampers the mind; privation trains and strengthens it.
William HazlittRead
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We may give advice, but not the sense to use it.
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Never have anything to do with likes and dislikes. The absence of what one likes is painful, as is the presence of what one dislikes. Therefore don't take a liking to anything. To lose what one likes is hard, but there are no bonds for those who have no likes and dislikes. From preference arises sorrow, from preference arises fear, but he who is freed from preference has no sorrow and certainly no fear.
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In times of pain, when the future is too terrifying to contemplate and the past too painful to remember, I have learned to pay attention to right now. The precise moment I was in was always the only safe place for me.
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Don't censor yourself to comfort their ignorance.
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