Give me hunger, pain and want, Shut me out with shame and failure From your doors of gold and fame, Give me your shabbiest, weariest hunger! But leave me a little love.
Carl SandburgRead
Valor is a gift. Those having it never know for sure whether they have it till the test comes. And those having it in one test never know for sure if they will have it when the next test comes.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Valor is an inherent quality that reveals itself only in challenging situations, and its presence can vary with different trials.
This quote by Carl Sandburg emphasizes that valor, or courage, is not a constant trait that one possesses, but rather a gift that may manifest in certain situations. It highlights the uncertainty individuals face regarding their own bravery; even those who demonstrate courage in one scenario may feel unsure about their ability to do so in future challenges, thus reminding us that courage is often tested and cannot be taken for granted.
Themes
ValorCourageTestsUncertaintyChallenges
In practice
Example use cases
During a motivational speech at a leadership conference.
More from Carl Sandburg
All quotes →Nothing happens... but first a dream.
Carl SandburgRead
Read the dictionary from A to Izzard today. Get a vocabulary. Brush up on your diction. See whether wisdom is just a lot of language.
Carl SandburgRead
My name is Truth and I am the most elusive captive in the universe.
Carl SandburgRead
There is an eagle in me that wants to soar, and there is a hippopotamus in me that wants to wallow in the mud.
Carl SandburgRead
A liar goes in fine clothes, a liar goes in rags, a liar is a liar, clothes or no clothes.
Carl SandburgRead
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