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What have I done? I've blundered my way through life. So I have my picture on the wall. The minute I die, that picture will start to yellow and fade and eventually be gone. Blown in the wind and become part of the molecular structure of something else. These things we see as "success," they're non-accomplishments.
William Shatner
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Success is fleeting and ultimately insignificant in the grand scheme of life.

In this quote, William Shatner reflects on the nature of success and existence, suggesting that accomplishments are temporary and that our physical presence and achievements will eventually fade away. He emphasizes the impermanence of life and the idea that what we often see as success may not hold true value in the long run, as everything eventually returns to the universe in a different form.

Themes

SuccessLifeImpermanencePhilosophyValue

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about the nature of achievement.

More from William Shatner

Pain and guilt can't be taken away with the wave of a magic wand. They're the things we carry with us, the things that make us who we are. If we lose them, we lose ourselves. I don't want my pain taken away! I need my pain!
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Marriage is a reflection of your life in general: how you treat people, how you argue, how secure you are in your own thoughts. How vehemently do you argue your point of view? With what disdain do you view the other's point of view?
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The ability to breathe the air and drink the water will be what the wars will be about from here on in. And it's coming with alarming rapidity.
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Don't be afraid of making an ass of yourself. I do it all the time and look what I got.
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Has it ever occurred to you that how we deal with death is at least as important as how we deal with life?
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