A traveller at Sparta, standing long upon one leg, said to a Lacedaemonian, "I do not believe you can do as much." "True," said he, "but every goose can."
Interpretation
The quote highlights the difference between mere physical ability and the value of skill or effort.
In this quote, Plutarch contrasts the actions of a man trying to impress with his balance against the simplistic ability of a goose, which can stand on one leg without any deeper significance. It serves as a reminder that not all abilities are valuable or worthy of admiration, often pointing out that effort and understanding should take precedence over superficial accomplishments.
In practice
Use this quote to illustrate a point in a discussion about true talent versus superficial skills.
Sometimes small incidents, rather than glorious exploits, give us the best evidence of character. So, as portrait painters are more exact in doing the face, where the character is revealed, than the rest of the body, I must be allowed to give my more particular attention to the marks of the souls of men.
It were better to have no opinion of God at all than such a one as is unworthy of him; for the one is only belief - the other contempt.
Come back with your shield - or on it
The richest soil, if uncultivated, produces the rankest weeds.
For the correct analogy for the mind is not a vessel that needs filling, but wood that needs igniting.
Our senses through ignorance of Reality, falsely tell us that what appears to be, is. FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real
Reading makes me feel I've accomplished something, learned something, become a better person. ... Reading is bliss.
Until the lion learns to write, every story will glorify the hunter.
Anger tears me up inside... My own... or anyone else's.
Life is a great university for the unfolding of the mind, for developing character. In choosing our life work, when we are free to choose, we should remember this, and choose that which will call the biggest man or woman out of us and not that from which we can coin the most dollars.
Thinking has, many a time, made me sad, darling; but doing never did in all my life....My precept is, do something, my sister, do good if you can; but at any rate, do something.
I don't know if I have a memory of not thinking I was a writer - it goes that far back. I went to law school because I didn't know how to earn a living otherwise. I tried to ignore the pull, but it wouldn't let me.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.