The generality of virtuous women are like hidden treasures, they are safe only because nobody has sought after them.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
Those who occupy their minds with small matters, generally become incapable of greatness.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Focusing on trivial things hinders one's potential for achieving greatness.
This quote by Francois De La Rochefoucauld suggests that people who concern themselves with insignificant details are often unable to realize their true potential or achieve great things. Instead of aiming for higher goals and pursuing meaningful endeavors, they get bogged down in minor issues, which limits their capacity to attain greatness in life.
Themes
GreatnessFocusPotentialMindsetTrivial
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote during a motivational speech to encourage students to pursue bigger goals.
More from Francois De La Rochefoucauld
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Some counterfeits reproduce so very well the truth that it would be a flaw of judgment not to be deceived by them.
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Conceit causes more conversation than wit.
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The defects and faults of the mind are like wounds in the body; after all imaginable care has been taken to heal them up, still there will be a scar left behind, and they are in continual danger of breaking the skin and bursting out again.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
To understand matters rightly we should understand their details; and as that knowledge is almost infinite, our knowledge is always superficial and imperfect.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
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