Skip to content
quotesby

He was a bad acquaintance for a placid, sedentary soul like me, for though he could work like a Trojan when the fit took him, he was never at the same job very long. In the same week he would harass an Under-Secretary about horses for the Army, write voluminously to the press about a gun he had invented for potting aeroplanes, give a fancy-dress ball which he forgot to attend, and get into the semi-final of the racquets championship. I waited daily to see him start a new religion.

John Buchan#30

CharacterFocusFriendshipHobbiesReliabilityTalent

About this quote

What does it mean?
A friend is talented but unreliable, jumping between many projects and hobbies.
In plain terms
This friend works hard but changes projects constantly.
What can you take from it?
Talent without focus can lead to scattered efforts.

Where it applies

  • evaluating friends
  • teamwork
  • career advice

Putting it to work

  • managing diverse projects
  • writing character sketches
  • group planning

Questions to consider

  • Are you more focused or scattered?

Another view

It judges a polymath too harshly.

More from John Buchan

  1. I must get off for a bit or I'll bonnet Joggleberry or get up and propose a national monument to Guy Fawkes or something silly.

    Permalink to quote #29
  2. You don't know old Charles as I know him. He's got into a queer set, and there's no knowing what mischief he's up to. He's perfectly capable of starting a revo…

    Permalink to quote #31
  3. I once played the chief part in a rather exciting business without ever once budging from London. And the joke of it was that the man who went out to look for …

    Permalink to quote #28

Related quotes

  1. There have been many accolades uttered about Elvis' talent and performances through the years, all of which I agree with wholeheartedly. I shall miss him dearl…

    Elvis PresleyElvis Presley quote #49
  2. On ilk beugh till embrace Writtin in a bill was O Dowglass, O Dowglass Tender and trewe!

    Richard HollandRichard Holland quote #1
  3. Yes, he's a prick, but he sure can hit. God Almighty, that man can hit!

    Babe RuthBabe Ruth quote #4