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Some time ago," he said, "--how long it seems! -- I remember saying to a young friend of mine of the name of Spiller, 'Comrade Spiller, never confuse the unusual with the impossible.' It is my guiding rule in life.
P. G. Wodehouse
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Don't mistake something that is unusual for something that can't be done.

In this quote, P. G. Wodehouse emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between what is merely unusual and what is truly impossible. It serves as a reminder to remain open to possibilities and not be deterred by unconventional ideas, as what seems strange or extraordinary may still be achievable with determination and creativity.

Themes

PossibilityUnusualImpossibleLifeDetermination

In practice

Example use cases

Use this quote during a motivational speech to inspire creativity.

More from P. G. Wodehouse

I turned on the pillow with a little moan, and at this juncture Jeeves entered with the vital oolong. I clutched at it like a drowning man at a straw hat.
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While not exactly disgruntled, he was far from feeling gruntled. He spoke with a certain what-is-it in his voice, and I could see that, if not actually disgruntled, he was far from being gruntled.
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She fitted into my biggest arm-chair as if it had been built round her by someone who knew they were wearing arm-chairs tight about the hips that season
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It was a nasty look. It made me feel as if I were something the dog had brought in and intended to bury later on, when he had time.
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Memories are like mulligatawny soup in a cheap restaurant. It is wiser not to stir them.
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It was a confusion of ideas between him and one of the lions he was hunting in Kenya that had caused A. B. Spottsworth to make the obituary column. He thought the lion was dead, and the lion thought it wasn't.
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