A good man would prefer to be defeated than to defeat injustice by evil means.
SallustRead
In my opinion, he only may be truly said to live and enjoy his being who is engaged in some laudable pursuit, and acquires a name by some illustrious action, or useful art.
Interpretation
What this quote means
True fulfillment comes from engaging in meaningful pursuits and contributing to society.
This quote by Sallust suggests that a fulfilling life is defined by one's engagement in honorable activities that lead to both personal satisfaction and societal contribution. It emphasizes that acquiring recognition and making a meaningful impact through one's actions or skills is essential for a truly enjoyable existence.
Themes
FulfillmentPurposeEngagementActionArtistryRecognition
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech about finding passion in one's career.
More from Sallust
All quotes →Prosperity tries the souls even of the wise.
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He that will be angry for anything will be angry for nothing.
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The glory that goes with wealth is fleeting and fragile; virtue is a possession glorious and eternal.
SallustRead
Most honorable are services rendered to the State; even if they do not go beyond words, they are not to be despised.
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Small communities grow great through harmony, great ones fall to pieces through discord.
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It is not the cares of today, but the cares of tomorrow, that weigh a man down. For the needs of today we have corresponding strength given. For the morrow we are told to trust. It is not ours yet. It is when tomorrow's burden is added to the burden of today that the weight is more than a man can bear.
George MacdonaldRead
I started inventing things, and then I couldn't stop, like beavers, which I know about. People think they cut down trees so they can build dams, but in reality it's because their teeth never stop growing, and if they didn't constantly file them down by cutting through all of those trees, their teeth would start to grow into their own faces, which would kill them. That's how my brain was.
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I am tired of talk that comes to nothing It makes my heart sick when I remember all the good words and all the broken promises. There has been too much talking by men who had no right to talk. It does not require many words to speak the truth.
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Odd words floated back to them over the hundreds of heads. "Nobility of spirit"..."intellectual contribution"..."greatness of heart"...It did not mean very much. It had little to do with Dumbledore as Harry had known him. He suddenly remembered Dumbledore's idea of a few words, "nitwit," "oddment," "blubber," and "tweak," and again had to suppress a grin.
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When the truth cannot be clearly made out, what is false is increased through fear.
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Diligence is a good thing, but taking things easy is much more restful.
Mark TwainRead