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Lives of great men all remind us, Greatness takes no easy…

“Lives of great men all remind us, Greatness takes no easy way, All the heroes of tomorrow, Are the heretics of today. Socrates and Galileo, John Brown, Thoreau, Christ, and Debs, Heard the night cry "Down with traitors!" And the dawn shout "Up the rebs!"” quote by Yip Harburg
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“Lives of great men all remind us, Greatness takes no easy way, All the heroes of tomorrow, Are the heretics of today. Socrates and Galileo, John Brown, Thoreau, Christ, and Debs, Heard the night cry "Down with traitors!" And the dawn shout "Up the rebs!"”

Yip Harburg

About This Quote

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

Greatness often emerges from rebellion; heroes are once outcasts.

In simple terms: Heroes are often misunderstood rebels.

Key Takeaway

Embrace unconventional paths.

Themes

rebellion heroism history

Mood

inspirational provocative

Type

historical philosophical

When to use this quote

  • activism
  • academic study
  • personal growth

Key Concepts

social change courage legacy

Questions to Reflect On

  • What causes you to challenge norms?
  • How do you define true greatness?
A Different Perspective

Not all rebels succeed; risk of misinterpretation.

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