I would rather live a short life of glory than a long one of obscurity.
There is something noble in hearing myself ill spoken of, when I am doing well.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote reflects the idea that one can rise above criticism when they know they are acting morally and rightly.
Alexander the Great's quote suggests that there is a certain dignity or nobility in maintaining one's integrity and self-worth in the face of negative comments or misinterpretations by others. It conveys the idea that external judgment does not diminish one's value or the goodness of their actions, especially when they are aligned with their principles and purpose. In essence, it speaks to the strength of character required to endure criticism while remaining steadfast in one's commitment to doing what is right.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
During a leadership seminar, one might cite this quote to inspire resilience in facing detractors.
More from Alexander The Great
All quotes βAre you still to learn that the end and perfection of our victories is to avoid the vices and infirmities of those whom we subdue?
Now you fear punishment and beg for your lives, so I will let you free, if not for any other reason so that you can see the difference between a Greek king and a barbarian tyrant, so do not expect to suffer any harm from me. A king does not kill messengers.
In the end, when it's over, all that matters is what you've done.
But truly, if I were not Alexander, I would be Diogenes.
A tomb now suffices him for whom the whole world was not sufficient.
Similar quotes
As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may seem, am satisfied that it does not agree with my constitution.
I have walked through many lives,_x000D_ some of them my own,_x000D_ and I am not who I was,_x000D_ though some principle of being_x000D_ abides, from which I struggle_x000D_ not to stray.
But if you seek forgiveness, doesn't that automatically mean you cannot be a monster? By definition, doesn't that desperation make you human again?
Darwin's greatest achievement was to show that the appearance of purpose, planning, teleology (design), and intentionality in the origin and development of human and animal species was entirely an illusion. The illusion could be explained by evolutionary processes that contained no such purpose at all. But the spread of ideas through imitation required the whole apparatus of human consciousness and intentionality
This attitude [the abstract method in mathematics] can be encapsulated in the following slogan: a mathematical object is what it does.
They who forgive most shall be most forgiven.