The willow which bends to the tempest, often escapes better than the oak which resists it; and so in great calamities, it sometimes happens that light and frivolous spirits recover their elasticity and presence of mind sooner than those of a loftier character.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Flexibility in the face of disaster allows for quicker recovery than rigid resistance.
- In plain terms
- Bending under pressure helps you survive better than fighting it head on.
- What can you take from it?
- Stay adaptable during crises to recover faster.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When is flexibility more valuable than strength?
- How do you recover from major setbacks?
Another view
Some situations require firm resistance rather than bending.
More from Albert Schweitzer
The true worth of a man is not to be found in man himself, but in the colours and textures that come alive in others.
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Permalink to quote #112 The tragedy of life is what dies inside a man while he lives.
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