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A man who tries to surpass another may perhaps succeed in…

“A man who tries to surpass another may perhaps succeed in equaling inot actually surpassing him, but one who merely follows can never quite come up with him: a follower, necessarily, is always behind.” quote by Quintilian
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“A man who tries to surpass another may perhaps succeed in equaling inot actually surpassing him, but one who merely follows can never quite come up with him: a follower, necessarily, is always behind.”

Quintilian

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Attempting to outdo others often leads to equal effort, while simply following keeps one perpetually behind.

In simple terms: Trying to outdo may not surpass; following stays behind.

Key Takeaway

Focus on personal progress rather than competition.

Themes

competition hum selfimprovement

Mood

reflective analytical

Type

philosophical advice

When to use this quote

  • career advancement
  • academic pursuits
  • personal development

Key Concepts

philosophy ethics

Questions to Reflect On

  • Is it better to lead or to follow?
  • How can one balance ambition with humility?
A Different Perspective

May ignore benefits of healthy competition.

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