"The best an American can look forward to is the lonely pleasure of one who stands at long last on a chilly and inhospitable mountaintop where few have been before, where few can follow and where few will consent to believe he has been"
- George F. Kennan
About this Quote
This quote by George F. Kennan speaks with the idea of specific achievement and the fulfillment that includes it. It recommends that the best an American can hope for is to reach a location of success that couple of have attained prior to them. This success is typically lonely and tough to attain, as it requires hard work and dedication. The mountaintop Kennan mentions is a metaphor for this success, as it is cold and unwelcoming, and few will think that the person has had the ability to reach it. This quote speaks with the concept that private achievement is something to be commemorated, even if it is not commonly acknowledged or accepted. It is a pointer that hard work and dedication can result in terrific success, even if it is not constantly easy or popular.
This quote is written / told by George F. Kennan between February 16, 1904 and March 17, 2005. He/she was a famous Historian from USA.
The author also have 5 other quotes.
"Don't lower your expectations to meet your performance. Raise your level of performance to meet your expectations. Expect the best of yourself, and then do what is necessary to make it a reality"
"The man who makes everything that leads to happiness depends upon himself, and not upon other men, has adopted the very best plan for living happily. This is the man of moderation, the man of manly character and of wisdom"