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About this quote

What does it mean?
Rizal compares a significant person's arrival to a rare comet, emphasizing their unique and centuries-spanning impact.
In plain terms
Great people appear rarely and shine brightly for a long time.
What can you take from it?
Recognize rare talent when it appears.

Where it applies

  • leadership
  • innovation
  • artistic achievement

Putting it to work

  • value unique contributions
  • support rare talents

Questions to consider

  • What makes a person rare?
  • How do we measure impact?

Another view

The metaphor assumes all great impacts are singular and visible.

More from Jose Rizal

  1. A gem of a man. (Un perla de hombre.)

    Permalink to quote #56
  2. The life Rizal lived is a more abiding gift than the things he said and wrote. His life will forever be of inestimable importance.

    Permalink to quote #58
  3. Rizal is the spirit of contradiction; a soul that dreads the revolution, although deep down desires it.

    Permalink to quote #55

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