Familiarity with any great thing removes our awe of it…
“Familiarity with any great thing removes our awe of it. The great general is only terrible to the enemy; the great poet is frequently scolded by his wife; the children of the great statesman clamber about his knees with perfect trust and impunity; the great actor who is called before the curtain by admiring audiences is often waylaid at the stage door by his creditors.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Great achievements lose their mystery; greatness brings both admiration and ordinary challenges.
In simple terms: Greatness becomes ordinary.
Key Takeaway
Remember humility in success.
Themes
humility
greatness
humanity
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
observational
When to use this quote
- Leadership
- parenthood
- artistic careers
- public life
Key Concepts
The nature of fame
expectations
family dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you stay grounded when praised?
- What responsibilities accompany fame?
A Different Perspective
Greatness can breed complacency or resentment.