Your cravings as a human animal do not become a prayer just because it is God whom you ask to attend to them.
Dag HammarskjoldRead
Time goes by, reputation increases, ability declines.
Interpretation
What this quote means
As time passes, our reputation may improve while our abilities may deteriorate.
This quote by Dag Hammarskjold reflects the paradox of life where the perception of one's value may grow with age and experience, while the actual skillset or ability to perform tasks may wane. It serves as a reminder to balance the cultivation of our reputations with the continuous honing of our abilities, as both elements are crucial to personal and professional success.
Themes
TimeReputationAbilityDeclineWisdom
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about personal growth, one might reference this quote to emphasize the importance of maintaining skills.
More from Dag Hammarskjold
All quotes βIt is not we who seek the Way, but the Way which seeks us. That is why you are faithful to it, even while you stand waiting, so long as you are prepared, and act the moment you are confronted by its demands.
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Do not seek death. Death will find you. But seek the road which makes death a fulfillment.
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The world cannot live at peace without the United Nations. For this reason: it creates a reasonable guarantee that all this change in the world, these tremendous political and economic developments, can be channelized, kept orderly. The United Nations is a mold that keeps the hot metal from spilling over.
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In a dream I walked with God through the deep places of creation; past walls that receded and gates that opened through hall after hall of silence, darkness and refreshment--the dwelling place of souls acquainted with light and warmth--until, around me, was an infinity into which we all flowed together and lived anew, like the rings made by raindrops falling upon wide expanses of calm dark waters.
Dag HammarskjoldRead
He is one of those who has had the wilderness for a pillow, and called a star his brother. Alone. But loneliness can be a communion.
Dag HammarskjoldRead
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Insight into universal nature provides an intellectual delight and sense of freedom that no blows of fate and no evil can destroy.
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If the Lord should give you power to raise the dead, He would give much less than He does when he bestows suffering. By miracles you would make yourself debtor to Him, while by suffering He may become debtor to you. And even if sufferings had no other reward than being able to bear something for that God who loves you, is not this a great reward and a sufficient remuneration? Whoever loves, understands what I say.
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