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About this quote

What does it mean?
Rejecting greatness in others reflects a limitation in oneself.
In plain terms
Doubting great people shows you are small-minded.
What can you take from it?
Acknowledge greatness in others to grow yourself.

Where it applies

  • leadership development
  • personal growth
  • conflict resolution

Putting it to work

  • admire leaders
  • overcome jealousy
  • build confidence

Questions to consider

  • Why do we doubt excellence?
  • How does greatness inspire you?

Another view

Sometimes great figures are actually unworthy of admiration.

More from Thomas Carlyle

  1. The difference between Orthodoxy or Mydoxy and Heterodoxy or Thy-doxy.

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  2. The history of the world is but the biography of great men.

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  3. The All of Things is an infinite conjugation of the verb To do.

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