God knows, I'm no the thing I should be, Nor am I even the thing I could be.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The speaker admits falling short of both their actual and potential self.
- In plain terms
- I am not who I should be or could be.
- What can you take from it?
- Acknowledge your gaps between current and ideal self.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Who are you failing to be?
- What would you be if you tried?
Another view
Focusing on deficits may lead to discouragement rather than growth.
More from Robert Burns
For a' that, and a' that An' twice as muckle 's a' that, I've lost but ane, I've twa behin', I've wife eneugh for a' that.
Permalink to quote #75 If there's another world, he lives in bliss; If there is none, he made the best of this.
Permalink to quote #77 Ah, Tam! Ah! Tam! Thou'll get thy fairin! In hell they'll roast you like a herrin!
Permalink to quote #74
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Little by little we human beings are confronted with situations that give us more and more clues that we aren't perfect.
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