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If you would attain to what you are not yet, you must always be displeased by what you are. For where you are pleased with yourself there you have remained. Keep adding, keep walking, keep advancing.
Saint Augustine
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Interpretation

What this quote means

To grow, one must be dissatisfied with their current state and strive for improvement.

This quote by Saint Augustine emphasizes the importance of self-discontent as a driving force for personal growth. It suggests that if you're comfortable and satisfied with your current self, you are unlikely to progress. True advancement comes from recognizing areas for improvement and continually pushing yourself forward, symbolizing an ongoing journey of personal development.

Themes

GrowthSelf-ImprovementMotivationAdvancementDiscontent

In practice

Example use cases

In a motivational speech to college students about pursuing their dreams.

More from Saint Augustine

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There is no health in those who are displeased by an element in Your creation, just as there was none in me when I was displeased by many things You had made. Because my soul didn't dare to say that my God displeased me, it refused to attribute to You whatever was displeasing.
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Bad times, hard times, this is what people keep saying; but let us live well, and times shall be good. We are the times: Such as we are, such are the times.
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Who can map out the various forces at play in one soul? Man is a great depth, O Lord. The hairs of his head are easier by far to count than his feeling, the movements of his heart.
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Whatever skills I have acquired, whatever gifts I have been given, I place them at Your service.
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Everyone who observes himself doubting observes a truth, and about that which he observes he is certain; therefore he is certain about a truth. Everyone therefore who doubts whether truth exists has in himself a truth on which not to doubt.... Hence one who can doubt at all ought not to doubt the existence of truth.
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