Great minds are related to the brief span of time during which they live as great buildings are to a little square in which they stand: you cannot see them in all their magnitude because you are standing too close to them.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Great minds are like towering buildings seen from too close; their full magnitude is hard to grasp from near perspective.
- In plain terms
- We can’t see the whole greatness of thinkers when we’re too close.
- What can you take from it?
- Step back to appreciate a person’s full impact.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When have you felt too close to judge someone?
- How can you gain a broader view?
Another view
Proximity can also provide valuable detail.
More from Arthur Schopenhauer
Newspapers are the second hand of history. This hand, however, is usually not only of inferior metal to the other hands, it also seldom works properly.
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