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Things that would have made fame of a less clever man seemed tricks in his hands. It is a mistake to do things too easily.
H. G. Wells
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Hard work and cleverness are often necessary for achieving true greatness.

H. G. Wells suggests that what may bring fame to an ordinary person might only appear as mere tricks for someone more clever. He warns against the danger of taking the easy route, implying that true accomplishments require effort and deeper understanding.

Themes

FameClevernessEffortWorkGreatnessSuccess

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about achieving success in a challenging career.

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Nature never appeals to intelligence until habit and instinct are useless. There is no intelligence where there is no need of change.
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But I was too restless to watch long; I'm too Occidental for a long vigil. I could work at a problem for years, but to wait inactive for twenty-four hours - that's another matter.
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I came out for exercise, gentle exercise, and to notice the scenery and to botanise. And no sooner do I get on that accursed machine than off I go hammer and tongs; I never look to right or left, never notice a flower, never see a view - get hot, juicy, red - like a grilled chop. Get me on that machine and I have to go. I go scorching along the road, and cursing aloud at myself for doing it.
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