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No lying knight or lying priest ever prospered in any age, but especially not in the dark ones. Men prospered then only in following an openly declared purpose, and preaching candidly beloved and trusted creeds.
John Ruskin
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Integrity and transparency are essential for success, especially in difficult times.

This quote by John Ruskin reflects the idea that honesty and clear intentions are fundamental to achieving prosperity, particularly during challenging periods. It suggests that those who engage in deceit and falsehood, whether as knights or priests, ultimately do not thrive, while those who embrace an open purpose and communicate their beliefs earn the trust and favor of others, leading to genuine success.

Themes

IntegrityHonestyProsperityPurposeTrust

In practice

Example use cases

During a motivational speech about the importance of integrity in leadership.

More from John Ruskin

Endurance is nobler than strength, and patience than beauty.
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In health of mind and body, men should see with their own eyes, hear and speak without trumpets, walk on their feet, not on wheels, and work and war with their arms, not with engine-beams, nor rifles warranted to kill twenty men at a shot before you can see them.
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You talk of the scythe of Time, and the tooth of Time: I tell you, Time is scytheless and toothless; it is we who gnaw like the worm - we who smite like the scythe. It is ourselves who abolish - ourselves who consume: we are the mildew, and the flame.
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To be able to ask a question clearly is two-thirds of the way to getting it answered.
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See that your children be taught, not only the labors of the earth, but the loveliness of it.
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A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.
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