Burn to be great, Pay not thy praise to lofty things…
“Burn to be great, Pay not thy praise to lofty things alone. The plains are everlasting as the hills, The bard cannot have two pursuits; aught else Comes on the mind with the like shock as though Two worlds had gone to war, and met in air.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Greatness requires sacrifice and focus, not seeking empty accolades or being distracted by lofty but irrelevant pursuits.
In simple terms: Greatness needs sacrifice, not empty praise.
Key Takeaway
Focus on meaningful goals, not superficial honors.
Themes
sacrifice
focus
greatness
Mood
determined
reflective
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career ambition
- artistic creation
- personal development
- spiritual practice
Key Concepts
Stoicism
self‑discipline
purpose
Questions to Reflect On
- What truly matters more than external praise?
- How can you balance ambition with inner peace?
A Different Perspective
May lead to neglect of personal well‑being or relationships.