--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Some are dining in our ears that we…" description: "\"“Some are dining in our ears that we Americans, and moderns generally, are intellectual dwarfs compared with the ancients, or even the Elizabethan men...." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55d/henry-david-thoreau-20_dog-better_some-are-dining-in-our-ears-that-we-amer_3023640.jpg" --- # Some are dining in our ears that we Americans, and moderns… ![“Some are dining in our ears that we Americans, and moderns generally, are intellectual dwarfs compared with the ancients, or even the Elizabethan men. But what is that to the purpose? A living dog is better than a dead lion. Shall a man go and hang himself because he belongs to the race of…” quote by Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55d/henry-david-thoreau-20_dog-better_some-are-dining-in-our-ears-that-we-amer_3023640.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55d/henry-david-thoreau-20_dog-better_some-are-dining-in-our-ears-that-we-amer_3023640.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/55d/henry-david-thoreau-20_dog-better_some-are-dining-in-our-ears-that-we-amer_3023640.jpg) > ““Some are dining in our ears that we Americans, and moderns generally, are intellectual dwarfs compared with the ancients, or even the Elizabethan men. But what is that to the purpose? A living dog is better than a dead lion. Shall a man go and hang himself because he belongs to the race of pygmies, and no be the biggest pygmy he can be? Let everyone mind his own business, and endeavor to be what he was made.”” [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. We should accept our human limits and focus on personal purpose rather than compare ourselves to past greatness. **In simple terms:** Accept limits, pursue purpose. Key Takeaway Live authentically despite perceived inferiority. Themes self‑acceptance purpose humility Mood reflective determined Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal growth - career choices - creative projects - overcoming imposter syndrome Key Concepts existentialism comparative self‑assessment Questions to Reflect On - How do you define success beyond historical standards? - What personal purpose drives you? A Different Perspective Comparisons can still motivate improvement if balanced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [Some are dinning in our ears that we Americans, and moderns generally, are intellectual dwarfs compared with the ancients, or eventhe Elizabethan men. 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Ecclesiastes 9:4”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/esv-bible/but-he-who-is-joined-with-all-the-living-has-hope-for-a-living-dog-is/) ESV Bible > [“For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-to-him-that-is-joined-to-all-the-living-there-is-hope-for-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Do something nice for someone and tell no one about it, not even the dog. It is better to know we are kinder than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-r-duvall/do-something-nice-for-someone-and-tell-no-one-about-it-not-even-the/) [Dale R. 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