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The tragedy of life doesn't lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy lies in having no goal to reach. It isn't a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream...It is not a disgrace not to reach the stars, but it is a disgrace to have no stars to reach for. Not failure, but low aim is sin.
Benjamin E. Mays
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Having goals and dreams is essential; failing to reach them isn't tragic, but not having any goals is.

This quote emphasizes the importance of setting aspirations and having dreams in life. Instead of focusing on failure, it points out that the real tragedy is living without ambition or goals, as this leads to a life devoid of purpose and fulfillment. It suggests that even if one does not achieve their dreams, the act of dreaming itself is crucial for a meaningful existence.

Themes

GoalsDreamsAmbitionLifePurpose

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech to encourage students to set their aspirations high.

More from Benjamin E. Mays

In this perilous world, if a black boy wanted to live a halfway normal life and die a natural death he had to learn early the art of how to get along with white folks.
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A child must learn early to believe that she is somebody worthwhile, and that she can do many praiseworthy things.
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Whatever you do,strive to do it so well that no man living and no man dead and no man yet to be born could do it any better.
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Many well-meaning intelligent people have argued since the May 17, 1954, decision of the United States Supreme Court outlawing segregation in the public schools that communication between the races has broken down.
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He who starts behind in the great race of life must forever remain behind or run faster than the man in front.
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