Men nearly always follow the tracks made by others and…
““Men nearly always follow the tracks made by others and proceed in their affairs by imitation, even though they cannot entirely keep to the tracks of others or emulate the prowess of their models. So a prudent man should always follow in the footsteps of great men and imitate those who have been outstanding. If his own prowess fails to compare with theirs, at least it has an air of greatness about it. He should behave like those archers who, if they are skilful, when the target seems too distant, know the capabilities of their bow and aim a good deal higher than their objective, not in order to shoot so high but so that by aiming high they can reach the target.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Imitating successful predecessors and setting ambitious goals helps achieve difficult objectives.
In simple terms: Copy great people and aim higher than your target.
Key Takeaway
Learn from the great and aim beyond your limits.
Themes
leadership
imitation
ambition
Mood
determined
inspired
strategic
Type
advice
motivational
philosophical
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- political strategy
- personal development
- sports competition
Key Concepts
strategic thinking
role models
goal setting
Questions to Reflect On
- Who can you emulate without losing your own voice?
- How high should you aim to stay realistic?
A Different Perspective
Over‑reliance on imitation can stifle originality and adaptability.