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Be resolutely and faithfully what you are; be humbly what you aspire to be.
Henry David Thoreau
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Embrace your true self while aspiring for personal growth.

This quote encourages individuals to be steadfast in their authenticity while also nurturing their aspirations. Thoreau highlights the importance of accepting who we truly are and the journey of self-improvement, suggesting that humility should accompany our ambitions.

Themes

AuthenticityAspirationSelf-ImprovementHumility

In practice

Example use cases

In a personal development seminar, one might say this quote to inspire attendees to embrace their true selves while pursuing their goals.

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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As every season seems best to us in its turn, so the coming in of spring is like the creation of Cosmos out of Chaos and the realization of the Golden Age.
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That grand old poem called Winter
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