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It is not only by one's impulses that one achieves greatness, but also by patiently filing away the steel wall that separates what one feels from what one is capable of doing.
Vincent Van Gogh
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Greatness is achieved through both instinct and persistent effort to bridge the gap between feelings and abilities.

In this quote, Vincent Van Gogh emphasizes that achieving greatness requires more than just following one's impulses or feelings; it also demands a deliberate and patient effort to overcome the barriers that often exist between our emotions and our true potential. This suggests that success is a combination of passion and hard work, where individuals must continually refine themselves and break down the mental walls that inhibit their capabilities.

Themes

GreatnessSuccessImpulsesPatienceCapability

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech to inspire a team to push beyond their limits.

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To believe in God for me is to feel that there is a God, not a dead one, or a stuffed one, who with irresistible force urges us towards more loving.
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