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About this quote

What does it mean?
Mountains give birth, and a ridiculous mouse is born.
In plain terms
Great efforts can produce trivial results.
What can you take from it?
Large projects may yield insignificant outcomes.

Where it applies

  • business ventures
  • research projects
  • creative works

Putting it to work

  • set realistic goals
  • evaluate cost‑benefit early

Questions to consider

  • What examples show big effort leading to small payoff?
  • How can you avoid disproportionate effort?

Another view

The metaphor may over‑generalize; many big efforts succeed.

More from Horace

  1. Difficile est proprie communia dicere.

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  2. Omne tulit punctum qui miscuit utile dulci, lectorem delectando pariterque monendo.

    Permalink to quote #40

  3. Si vis me flere, dolendum est primum ipsi tibi.

    Permalink to quote #37

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