To have a great man for a friend seems pleasant to those who have never tried it; those who have, fear it.
—Horace (Quintus Horatius Flaccus) (65–8 BCE) Roman Poet
The herd seek out the great, not for their sake but for their influence; and the great welcome them out of vanity or need.
—Napoleon I (1769–1821) Emperor of France
To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.
—Montesquieu (1689–1755) French Political Philosopher, Jurist
In estimating the greatness of great men, the inverted law of the physical stands for the intellectual and spiritual nature—the former is lessened by distance, the latter increased.
—Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860) German Philosopher
The essence of greatness is neglect of the self.
—James Anthony Froude (1818–94) British Historian, Novelist, Biographer, Editor
If you would attain greatness, think no little thoughts.
—Unknown
When the room brightens when you walk in, you matter.
—Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur
No man ever yet became great by imitation.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Greatness once and forever has down with opinion.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
It is a mistake to imagine that potentially great men are rare. It is the conditions that permit the promise of greatness to be fulfilled that are rare. What is so difficult to achieve is the cultural background that permits potential greatness to be converted into actual greatness.
—Fred Hoyle (1915–2001) English Astronomer, Mathematician
The greatest men of a nation are those it puts to death.
—Ernest Renan (1823–92) French Philosopher, Historian
Great men are not always wise.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
It is always the adventurers who do great things, not the sovereigns of great empires.
—Montesquieu (1689–1755) French Political Philosopher, Jurist
To achieve greatness one should live as if they will never die.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Since most of us spend our lives doing ordinary tasks, the most important thing is to carry them out extraordinarily well.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
It is a melancholy truth that even great men have their poor relations.
—Charles Dickens (1812–70) English Novelist
Forget about likes and dislikes. They are of no consequence. Just do what must be done. This may not be happiness but it is greatness.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
When you see the world as it is, but insist on making it more like it could be, you matter.
—Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur
However brilliant an action may be, it ought not to pass for great when it is not the result of a great design.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
When kids grow up wanting to be you, you matter.
—Seth Godin (b.1960) American Entrepreneur
High stations tumult, not bliss create.—None think the great unhappy, but the great.
—Edward Young (1683–1765) English Poet
Oh what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
It doesn’t take great men to do things, but it is doing things that make men great.
—Arnold Glasow (1905–98) American Businessman
The greatness of art is not to find what is common but what is unique.
—Isaac Bashevis Singer (1902–91) Polish-born American Writer, Novelist, Short Story Writer
Might I give counsel to any man, I would say to him, try to frequent the company of your betters. In books and in life, that is the most wholesome society; learn to admire rightly; the great pleasure of life is that. Note what great men admire.
—William Makepeace Thackeray (1811–63) English Novelist
We shall never resolve the enigma of the relation between the negative foundations of greatness and that greatness itself.
—Jean Baudrillard (1929–2007) French Sociologist, Philosopher
Excellence is not a destination; it is a continuous journey that never ends.
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
No man has come to true greatness who has not felt in some degree that his life belongs to his race, and that what God gives him He gives him for mankind.
—Phillips Brooks (1835–93) American Episcopal Clergyman, Author
There never was any heart truly great and generous that was not also tender and compassionate.
—Robert South (1634–1716) English Theologian, Preacher
Leave a Reply