Greatness Quote by Brock Clarke
““... he was taking a stab at greatness, that is, if greatness is simply another word for doing something different from what you were already doing — or maybe greatness is the thing we want to have so that other people will want to have us, or maybe greatness is merely the grail for our unhappy, striving selves, the thing we think we need, but don't and can't get anyway.””
About This Quote
Source Novel: The Unbearable Lightness of Being? Actually author unknown, likely a fictional character; null
Greatness is pursued as a means to gain approval, yet it remains an elusive, possibly unattainable ideal.
In simple terms: People chase greatness for validation, but it may be impossible.
Key Takeaway
Question the true motive behind your ambitions.
Themes
ambition
validation
illusion
Mood
introspective
critical
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career planning
- creative projects
- personal growth
Key Concepts
self-worth
societal pressure
existential desire
Questions to Reflect On
- What would you do if you stopped seeking others’ approval?
- Is the pursuit of greatness harming your wellbeing?
A Different Perspective
Greatness may be defined by external expectations rather than intrinsic value.
![“Maybe the greatness we heard in [Richard Manuel]'s voice, that catch in it, came from all that pain. To this day, we don't really know.” quote by Levon Helm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/52c/levon-helm-12317_greatness_maybe-the-greatness-we-heard-in-richard_2461236.jpg)
![“They [my eyes] immediately started to tear up, tears being your eyes' way of forbidding you to look away,of forcing you to look at the world you've made or unmade.” quote by Brock Clarke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/846/brock-clarke-11266_tear_they-my-eyes-immediately-started-to-tear_114105.jpg)
