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There would be no great men if there were no little ones.
George Herbert
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Greatness is defined by the contrast with smaller achievements and individuals.

This quote emphasizes the idea that greatness is relative and cannot exist in isolation. Without smaller achievements and individuals, the concept of greatness loses its meaning, as it is through comparison and contrast that we recognize and appreciate significant accomplishments and the contributions of those who may seem lesser.

Themes

GreatnessSmallnessComparisonAchievementContrast

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech about teamwork, you could say, 'There would be no great men if there were no little ones.'

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Bells call others, but themselves enter not into the Church.
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There is an hour wherein a man might be happy all his life, could he find it.
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For want of a naile the shoe is lost, for want of a shoe the horse is lost, for want of a horse the rider is lost.
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