"Many have been ruined by their fortunes, and many have escaped ruin by the want of fortune. To obtain it the great have become little, and the little great"
- Johann Georg Zimmermann
About this Quote
This quote by Johann Georg Zimmermann speaks with the power of fortune and how it can shape our lives. It recommends that having a fortune can be a double-edged sword, as it can cause mess up or success depending upon how it is utilized. The quote likewise implies that those who have a fortune can end up being conceited and forget what is very important, while those who lack fortune can end up being simple and aim to achieve greatness. It is a tip that cash and product ownerships are not the only measure of success, and that effort and dedication can be simply as crucial. Ultimately, the quote suggests that fortune can be an effective tool, however it should not be the only factor in determining one's success.
"There is a tide in the affairs of men, Which taken at the flood, leads on to fortune. Omitted, all the voyage of their life is bound in shallows and in miseries. On such a full sea are we now afloat. And we must take the current when it serves, or lose our ventures"
"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"