All who strive to live for something beyond mere selfish…
“All who strive to live for something beyond mere selfish aims find their capacities for doing good veryinadequate to their aspirations. They do so much less than they want to do, andso much less than they, at the outset, expected to do, that their lives, viewed retrospectively, inevitably look like failure.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Selfish aims limit capacity for good; aspirations often exceed actual achievement, leading to perceived failure.
In simple terms: Selfish goals hinder meaningful impact.
Key Takeaway
Align ambitions with altruism.
Themes
aspiration
selflessness
achievement
expectation
failure
Mood
reflective
thoughtful
cautionary
Type
Aspirations:1
Doing good:1
Dreams:1
Great saying by great authors:1
Life:1
Selfish:1
Selfishness:1
Selfish Aims:1
Aspirations Want:1
Veryinadequate Aspirations:1
When to use this quote
- career planning
- volunteer work
- personal development
Key Concepts
ethical philosophy
goal setting
self‑assessment
Questions to Reflect On
- What selfish motives limit you?
- How can you set realistic expectations?
A Different Perspective
Over‑ambition can cause burnout.