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About this quote

What does it mean?
Great people correctly prioritize matters, treating small things lightly and big things seriously.
In plain terms
Great people know what matters and what does not.
What can you take from it?
Prioritize what is truly important.

Where it applies

  • leadership
  • decision making
  • daily choices

Putting it to work

  • evaluate task importance
  • avoid trivial distractions

Questions to consider

  • What trifles waste your time?
  • How do you define important matters?

Another view

Trifles can sometimes become important depending on context.

More from Doris Lessing

  1. For the last third of life there remains only work. It alone is always stimulating, rejuvenating, exciting and satisfying.

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  2. Man - who is he? Too bad, to be the work of God: Too good for the work of chance!

    Permalink to quote #55
  3. Borrowing is not much better than begging; just as lending with interest is not much better than stealing.

    Permalink to quote #52

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