Accomplishment Quote by George Saunders
“Still, accomplishment is unreliable. "Succeeding," whatever that might mean to you, is hard, and the need to do so constantly renews itself (success is like a mountain that keeps growing ahead of you as you hike it), and there's the very real danger that "succeeding" will take up your whole life, while the big questions go untended.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Problem with Success", The New Yorker, 2015
Success is a moving target that can dominate life, causing neglect of deeper questions.
In simple terms: Chasing success can eclipse meaning.
Key Takeaway
Balance achievement with purpose.
Themes
success
balance
meaning
focus
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
philosophical
thought‑provoking
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- personal goals
- life planning
Key Concepts
growth mindset
existential risk
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you define success beyond status?
- What deeper questions are you ignoring?
A Different Perspective
Success may lead to burnout if not managed.
