I have never thought of myself as a good writer. Anyone who wants reassurance of that should read one of my first drafts. But I'm one of the world's great rewriters.
James A. MichenerRead
If a man happens to find himself, he has a mansion which he can inhabit with dignity all the days of his life.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Discovering oneself leads to a life of dignity and fulfillment.
This quote emphasizes the importance of self-discovery and understanding one's true self. When a person realizes their identity and worth, they can live with confidence and honor, enjoying a rich and meaningful existence akin to living in a grand mansion, regardless of external circumstances.
Themes
Self-DiscoveryIdentityDignityLifeWisdom
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about personal growth, one might reference this quote.
More from James A. Michener
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Rampaging horsemen can conquer; only the city can civilize.
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I think the crucial thing in the writing career is to find what you want to do and how you fit in. What somebody else does is of no concern whatever except as an interesting variation.
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I was brought up in the great tradition of the late nineteenth century: that a writer never complains, never explains and never disdains.
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The permanent temptation of life is to confuse dreams with reality. The permanent defeat of life comes when dreams are surrendered to reality.
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Similar quotes
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God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things which should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other. This prayer was first printed in a monthly bulletin of the Federal Council of Churches and has become enormously popular. It has been circulated in millions of copies.
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The main thing is the YOU beneath the clothes and skin--the ability to do, the will to conquer, the determination to understand and know this great, wonderful, curious world.
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I don't look at a knife the way I used to. I'm more aware of what it is. I think twice. This is a key finger. It's in every chord.
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