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One is not born into the world to do everything but to do something.
Henry David Thoreau
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Interpretation

What this quote means

This quote emphasizes the importance of finding a purpose or passion in life rather than trying to do everything.

Henry David Thoreau's quote reflects the belief that individuals have a unique contribution to make in the world and should focus on pursuing meaningful actions that align with their passions and values. Instead of being overwhelmed by the multitude of options and expectations, one should seek to identify what truly matters to them and dedicate their efforts towards that purpose.

Themes

PurposeMeaningLifeFocusIndividuality

In practice

Example use cases

During a motivational speech about finding one's passion.

More from Henry David Thoreau

None are so old as those who have outlived enthusiasm.
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Through want of enterprise and faith men are where they are, buying and selling and spending their lives like servants.
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Have no mean hours, but be grateful for every hour, and accept what it brings. The reality will make any sincere record respectable.
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