I decline the election. - It has ever been my rule through life, to observe a proportion between my efforts and my objects. I have never been remarkable for a bold, active, and sanguine pursuit of advantages that are personal to myself.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Burke explains his rule of matching effort to objectives and avoiding selfish pursuits.
- In plain terms
- He only works as hard as needed for his goals and does not chase personal gain.
- What can you take from it?
- Match your effort to your goals and avoid selfish ambition.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Are your efforts proportional to your goals?
- Do you seek personal advantage?
Another view
Sometimes bold and ambitious pursuit is necessary for great achievements.
More from Edmund Burke
Bad laws are the worst sort of tyranny.
Permalink to quote #12 Gentlemen, the melancholy event of yesterday reads to us an awful lesson against being too much troubled about any of the objects of ordinary ambition. The wor…
Permalink to quote #14 Applaud us when we run, console us when we fall, cheer us when we recover.
Permalink to quote #11
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