It is not virtue, wisdom, valour, wit, Strength…
“It is not virtue, wisdom, valour, wit, Strength, comeliness of shape, or amplest merit, That woman's love can win, or long inherit; But what it is, hard is to say, Harder to hit.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
True merit is not measured by outward qualities or even love, but by the difficulty of achieving it; the harder the goal, the more significant the effort.
In simple terms: Hard things are the most rewarding.
Key Takeaway
Pursue challenging goals.
Themes
achievement
hardship
value
effort
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career ambition
- personal challenges
- creative projects
- relationships
Key Concepts
philosophy
ethics
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- What difficult goal are you avoiding?
- Why do we value hard‑won success?
A Different Perspective
Hard goals may cause discouragement if not managed.