True wisdom consists of tracing effects to their causes.
Oliver GoldsmithRead
No man can climb out beyond the limitations of his own character.
Interpretation
One's personal character determines their ability to achieve greatness.
This quote by John Morley emphasizes that an individual's character plays a pivotal role in their achievements and overall potential. It suggests that personal growth and success are inherently linked to one's integrity, values, and moral compass, indicating that without strengthening one's character, one cannot rise above their inherent limitations.
In practice
During a motivational speech aimed at students contemplating their futures.
True wisdom consists of tracing effects to their causes.
There is no creation without faith and hope. There is no faith and hope that does not express itself in creation.
What in your life is calling you, When all the noise is silenced, The meetings adjourned... The lists laid aside, And the Wild Iris blooms By itself In the dark forest... What still pulls on your soul?
It's a lot easier to stay idealistic if you don't sign two to five next-of-kin letters every day.
How strange to think that great pain may be impermanent. Something in us all seems to want to carve it in granite, as if only this would do full honor to its terrible significance. But even pain is blessed with impermanence... p 259
When the whole world reads your books, is there any other happiness for a writer? I am happy that my books are read in 57 languages. But I am focused on Istanbul not because of Istanbul but because of humanity. Everyone is the same in the end.
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