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Time goes by, reputation increases, ability declines.
Dag Hammarskjold
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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.

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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.
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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.
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