No man was ever great by imitation.
Interpretation
Originality and authenticity are key to true greatness.
This quote by Samuel Johnson emphasizes that true greatness cannot be achieved through mere imitation of others. Instead, it suggests that individuals must embrace their unique qualities and think for themselves to truly stand out and make a significant impact. Greatness is found in originality, creativity, and the courage to forge oneβs own path rather than simply copying those who came before.
In practice
In a motivational speech about pursuing one's unique talents.
To be of no church is dangerous. Religion, of which the rewards are distant, and which is animated only by faith and hope, will glide by degrees out of the mind unless it be invigorated and reimpressed by external ordinances, by stated calls to worship, and the salutary influence of example.
He that reads and grows no wiser seldom suspects his own deficiency, but complains of hard words and obscure sentences, and asks why books are written which cannot be understood.
To let friendship die away by negligence and silence is certainly not wise. It is voluntarily to throw away one of the greatest comforts of the weary pilgrimage.
Fly-fishing may be a very pleasant amusement; but angling or float fishing I can only compare to a stick and a string, with a worm at one end and a fool at the other.
When any anxiety or gloom of the mind takes hold of you, make it a rule not to publish it by complaining; but exert yourselves to hide it, and by endeavoring to hide it you drive it away.
A fishing rod is a stick with a hook at one end and a fool at the other.
Be honest about how you approach failure. Don't just be critical of yourself, because that can be self-serving. Approach it honestly, assess your performance, and assess the areas where you have fallen short. Correct them and move on. Don't dwell on it. Don't hold on to it.
I think I'm in the same mood as ever, but in some ways more mature. I guess you could say that, at 65, when you've seen the world shape up as I have, there are only two things you can do: laugh or kill yourself.
If we could be twice young and twice old we could correct all our mistakes.
How much good inside a day? Depends how good you live 'em.
As quickly as you can go 4-1, you can go 1-4. And the whole objective is not to get too high and not to get too low. It's one thing to tell somebody that and explain it, but it's another thing to really buy in, to have felt that and understand what it means to stay even-keel. That's what you have to be in this league.
Do not deny the classical approach, simply as a reaction, or you will have created another pattern and trapped yourself there.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.