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About this quote

What does it mean?
Someone left us for small gains like silver or a ribbon.
In plain terms
People leave for small rewards or vanity.
What can you take from it?
Do not abandon values for small gains.

Where it applies

  • personal relationships
  • career choices

Putting it to work

  • evaluate motives
  • stay true to values

Questions to consider

  • What small gain might tempt you to leave?

Another view

Sometimes small gains are necessary for survival.

More from William Wordsworth

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  3. What we need is not the will to believe, but the wish to find out.

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