Go forward with joyful confidence.
George EliotRead
There are many victories worse than a defeat.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Not all victories are beneficial, and some can lead to greater harm than losing.
This quote by George Eliot emphasizes the idea that achieving a win isn't always positive and can come at a great cost. It suggests reflecting on the true nature and consequences of our 'victories,' as they may carry drawbacks that outweigh the benefits, leading to regret or dissatisfaction.
Themes
VictoryDefeatWisdomConsequencesReflection
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about the ethical implications of a corporate takeover, one might say this quote to highlight the potential negative outcomes of such 'victories'.
More from George Eliot
All quotes βYou must love your work, and not be always looking over the edge of it, wanting your play to begin. And the other is, you must not be ashamed of your work, and think it would be more honorable to you to be doing something else. You must have a pride in your own work and in learning to do it well.
George EliotRead
She thought it was part of the hardship of her life that there was laid upon her the burthen of larger wants than others seemed to feel β that she had to endure this wide hopeless yearning for that something, whatever it was, that was greatest and best on this earth.
George EliotRead
Life seems to go on without effort when I am filled with music.
George EliotRead
I think I should have no other mortal wants, if I could always have plenty of music. It seems to infuse strength into my limbs and ideas into my brain. Life seems to go on without effort, when I am filled with music.
George EliotRead
Our dead are never dead to us until we have forgotten them: they can be injured by us, they can be wounded; they know all our penitence, all our aching sense that their place is empty, all the kisses we bestow on the smallest relic of their presence.
George EliotRead
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It is always for greater joy that you give up the lesser. This is practical religion-the attainment of freedom, renunciation. Renounce the lower so that you may get the higher. Renounce! Renounce! Sacrifice! Give up! Not for zero. Not for nothing. But to get the higher.
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A great man is always willing to be little.
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