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About this quote

What does it mean?
Agrees with Raleigh that colonial ambitions were misguided or doomed.
In plain terms
History shows those ambitions failed.
What can you take from it?
Learn from past failed ventures.

Where it applies

  • policy making
  • business strategy
  • historical analysis

Putting it to work

  • study past failures
  • question motives
  • assess risk

Questions to consider

  • What ventures fail for similar reasons?
  • When is ambition misplaced?

Another view

It simplifies complex historical motives.

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