"Great souls are not those who have fewer passions and more virtues than others, but only those who have greater designs"
- Francois de La Rochefoucauld
About this Quote
This quote by Francois de La Rochefoucauld speaks to the concept that achievement is not always figured out by the number of passions and virtues one has, however rather by the aspiration and purpose of one's styles. He recommends that achievement is not necessarily measured by the amount of passions and virtues one has, however rather by the ambition and purpose of one's styles. He indicates that having a higher purpose and ambition is what makes an individual great. This might be translated to mean that having a greater purpose and ambition in life is what makes a person terrific, rather than merely having more passions and virtues than others. It could likewise be analyzed to imply that having a higher function and aspiration in life is what makes an individual fantastic, even if they have fewer enthusiasms and virtues than others. Ultimately, this quote suggests that success is identified by the aspiration and purpose of one's designs, instead of the number of passions and virtues one has.
"To be really great in little things, to be truly noble and heroic in the insipid details of everyday life, is a virtue so rare as to be worthy of canonization"
"Having soon discovered to be great, I must appear so, and therefore studiously avoided mixing in society, and wrapped myself in mystery, devoting my time to fasting and prayer"