Aim Quote by Benjamin E. Mays
“Not failure, but low aim is sin.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Commencement address, 1965
Aims low ambitions are a moral failing; striving for higher goals is essential for personal and societal progress.
In simple terms: Low goals are sinful.
Key Takeaway
Set higher aspirations.
Themes
ambition
ethics
growth
purpose
leadership
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- education
- career planning
- community service
- political activism
Key Concepts
philosophy
ethics
social responsibility
Questions to Reflect On
- What higher aim can you pursue?
- How do you balance ambition with well‑being?
A Different Perspective
High goals can lead to burnout.
![“[H]owever hard the road, however difficult today, tomorrow things will be better. Tomorrow may not be better, but we must believe that it will be.” quote by Benjamin E. Mays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/964/benjamin-e-mays-20877_believe_h-owever-hard-the-road-however-difficult_571475.jpg)
![“He [an earnest young reporter] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be art, the object of children's books is to whip the little rascals into shape.” quote by Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2cf/katherine-paterson-2365_adults_he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-s_6101.jpg)
![“I really enjoyed it - being involved in watching rushes and playback [in "The Invisible Woman"]. Ralph [Fiennes] was very open to my input, I think knowing that he couldn't always be there 100 percent, that he had dual aims with directing and acting.” quote by Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/56e/felicity-jones-2070_acting_i-really-enjoyed-it-being-involved-in-wa_11933.jpg)
