"Young man, the secret of my success is that an early age I discovered that I was not God"
- Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.
About this Quote
This quote by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. is a pointer to youths that they are not invincible which they should not overestimate their own abilities. It is a tip that no matter how skilled or enthusiastic somebody is, they are still human and have limitations. The quote is likewise a suggestion that success is not achieved by believing one is God-like, however rather by recognizing one's own strengths and weaknesses and striving to take advantage of them. It is a reminder that success is not accomplished by thinking one is above everybody else, however rather by comprehending that everybody has something to contribute and working together to achieve a typical objective. It is a suggestion that success is not attained by thinking one is perfect, however rather by recognizing one's errors and learning from them. Ultimately, this quote is a pointer that success is achieved by recognizing one's own constraints and working hard to make the most of them.