A wise man ought always to follow the paths beaten by…
“A wise man ought always to follow the paths beaten by great men, and to imitate those who have been supreme, so that if his ability does not equal theirs, at least it will savor of it. Let him act like the clever archers who, designing to hit the mark which yet appears too far distant, and knowing the limits to which the strength of their bow attains, take aim much higher than the mark, not to reach by their strength or arrow to so great a height, but to be able with the aid of so high an aim to hit the mark they wish to reach.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
One should emulate the strategies of the great, aiming beyond current abilities to achieve higher goals with the help of ambition.
In simple terms: Imitate great people and aim higher than your current skill.
Key Takeaway
Learn from masters and set ambitious targets.
Themes
leadership
ambition
imitation
strategy
Mood
determined
reflective
Type
advisory
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- political maneuvering
- personal development
- team leadership
Key Concepts
Machiavellianism
goal setting
self‑improvement
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance imitation with personal innovation?
- What limits does your current skill set impose?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance on imitation may stifle originality.