With each new day in Africa, a gazelle wakes up knowing he must outrun the fastest lion or perish. At the same time, a lion stirs and stretches, knowing he must outrun the fastest gazelle or starve. It's no different for the human race. Whether you consider yourself a gazelle or a lion, you have to run faster than others to survive.
Interpretation
In life, both the strong and the weak must continuously strive to outpace their competitors to succeed.
This quote illustrates the relentless nature of survival, whether in the animal kingdom or among humans. It emphasizes that both the gazelle and the lion must push themselves dailyβ the gazelle to escape predation and the lion to secure its next meal. This metaphor extends to human existence, highlighting that success often requires individuals to be proactive and competitive in their pursuits, reminding us that regardless of our status, the pressure to improve and excel is universal.
In practice
This quote can be used as a motivational opener in a leadership seminar.
Most people talk; we do things. They plan; we achieve. They hesitate; we move ahead. We are living proof that when human beings have the courage and commitment to transform a dream into reality, there is nothing that can stop them.
My mother, may her soul rest in peace, shaped my personality; thanks to her, I have acquired many values, good traits and skills.
An easy life does not make men, nor does it build nations. Challenges make men, and it is these men who build nations.
There is no Dubai and Abu Dhabi; we are one. Whoever doesn't understand this should do their homework before they start talking. We will be there for each other when we need it.
The race for excellence has no finish line.
It's amazing - you may not realize it, but so much of what you are not is because you are literally standing in your own way of becoming. And what I'm pleading with you about is, get the hell out of your own way.
In order to build our nation, we must all exceed our own expectations.
I'd rather be a could-be if I cannot be an are; because a could-be is a maybe who is reaching for a star. I'd rather be a has-been than a might-have-been, by far; for a might have-been has never been, but a has was once an are.
Don't ever give up on ability. Don't give up on a player who has it.
Let us develop the resources of our land, call forth its powers, build up its institutions, promote all its great interests, and see whether we also, in our day and generation, may not perform something worthy to be remembered.
Desperation is a necessary ingredient to learning anything, or creating anything. Period. If you ain't desperate at some point, you ain't interesting.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.