Never discourage anyone who continually makes progress, no matter how slow... even if that someone is yourself!
PlatoRead
There's a victory, and defeat; the first and best of victories, the lowest and worst of defeats which each man gains or sustains at the hands not of another, but of himself.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes that our greatest victories and defeats come from within ourselves rather than from external forces.
Plato reflects on the nature of personal struggle, asserting that the true battle lies in conquering one's own mind and limitations. He suggests that the greatest success is the mastery over oneself, while the most profound failure is succumbing to one's own shortcomings. This inner conflict defines the human experience and highlights the importance of self-awareness and personal responsibility.
Themes
VictoryDefeatSelfPersonal GrowthPhilosophy
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a motivational speech about overcoming personal challenges.
More from Plato
All quotes →Not one of them who took up in his youth with this opinion that there are no gods ever continued until old age faithful to his conviction.
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...for the object of education is to teach us to love beauty.
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Pleasure is the greatest incentive to evil.
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Nothing in the affairs of men is worthy of great anxiety.
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Let parents bequeath to their children not riches, but the spirit of reverence.
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