"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.
"Neurotics complain of their illness, but they make the most of it, and when it comes to talking it away from them they will defend it like a lioness her young"