Blank Quote by Honore de Balzac
“In Paris, when certain people see you ready to set your foot in the stirrup, some pull your coat-tails, others loosen the buckle of the strap that you may fall and crack your skull; one wrenches off your horse's shoes, another steals your whip, and the least treacherous of them all is the man whom you see coming to fire his pistol at you point blank.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: Le Père Goriot by Honoré de Balzac, 1835
The quote portrays the relentless sabotage and hostility faced by those who aspire to rise, illustrating that enemies appear in many forms, from subtle undermining to outright aggression.
In simple terms: People who try to succeed often encounter sabotage and hostile opposition.
Key Takeaway
Beware of those who undermine your progress.
Themes
betrayal
power struggles
ambition
conflict
Mood
cautious
defensive
realistic
Type
warning
observational
cautionary
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- political campaigns
- entrepreneurship
- personal growth
- sports competition
Key Concepts
social dynamics
psychology of rivalry
survival tactics
Questions to Reflect On
- Who in your life subtly hinders your progress?
- How can you protect yourself from hidden threats?
A Different Perspective
Even allies may become adversaries when you threaten their interests.
![“[Romans] never made any improvements on the cavalry. And amazingly, when you read the sources, they couldn't make it because stirrups were not known in Europe. For hundreds of years, the Romans couldn't make a cavalry which proved to be extremely effective.” quote by Garry Kasparov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b92/garry-kasparov-910_cavalry_romans-never-made-any-improvements-on-th_2463024.jpg)
