--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Real rebels are rarely anything but…" description: "\"Real rebels are rarely anything but second rate outside their rebellion; the drain of time and temper is ruinous to any other accomplishment.\" — James ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87c/james-gould-cozzens-23423_accomplishment_real-rebels-are-rarely-anything-but-seco_333015.png" --- # Real rebels are rarely anything but second rate outside… ![“Real rebels are rarely anything but second rate outside their rebellion; the drain of time and temper is ruinous to any other accomplishment.” quote by James Gould Cozzens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87c/james-gould-cozzens-23423_accomplishment_real-rebels-are-rarely-anything-but-seco_333015.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87c/james-gould-cozzens-23423_accomplishment_real-rebels-are-rarely-anything-but-seco_333015.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87c/james-gould-cozzens-23423_accomplishment_real-rebels-are-rarely-anything-but-seco_333015.png) > “Real rebels are rarely anything but second rate outside their rebellion; the drain of time and temper is ruinous to any other accomplishment.” [James Gould Cozzens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-gould-cozzens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Rebels often achieve little beyond their rebellion; time and temperament erode other achievements. **In simple terms:** Rebels rarely succeed beyond rebellion. Key Takeaway Focus on constructive goals. Themes rebellion achievement time Mood thoughtful analytical Type literary philosophical When to use this quote - career planning - creative projects - leadership - personal development Key Concepts second‑rate outcomes personal growth Questions to Reflect On - What constructive goals can replace rebellion? - How does time affect your ambitions? A Different Perspective Rebellion without purpose can waste potential. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accomplishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accomplishment/) [Chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chance/) [Drains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/drains/) [Outside Rebellion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/outside-rebellion-3112336/) [Rate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rate/) [Real](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real/) [Real Rebels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-rebels-1555634/) [Rebel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rebel/) [Rebellion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rebellion/) [Rebels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rebels/) [Rebels Rarely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rebels-rarely-3112335/) [Revolution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/revolution/) [Ruinous Accomplishment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ruinous-accomplishment-3112337/) [Second chance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/second-chance/) [Temper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/temper/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“Real rebels, as far as I can see, risk disapproval. The old postmodern insurgents risked the gasp and squeal: shock, disgust, outrage, censorship, accusations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/real-rebels-as-far-as-i-can-see-risk-disapproval-the-old-postmodern/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [“Real rebels, as far as I can see, risk disapproval.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/real-rebels-as-far-as-i-can-see-risk-disapproval/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [“As her feet beat the concrete ground beneath them, her chest began to ache. 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They joyfully welcomed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-sanderson/it-seems-that-the-rebels-found-the-chaos-of-transition-more-difficult/) [Brandon Sanderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-sanderson/) > [“My dream is to create something so beautiful that it encourages people to present the best version of themselves to me everywhere I go.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-caligiuri/my-dream-is-to-create-something-so-beautiful-that-it-encourages/) [Ross Caligiuri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-caligiuri/) > [“Try to think of it as though we are rewriting history––the first time this experience occurred you and I never kissed in this Dream…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-caligiuri/try-to-think-of-it-as-though-we-are-rewriting-history-the-first-time/) [Ross Caligiuri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-caligiuri/) > [Persecution matures young rebels.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/han-suyin/persecution-matures-young-rebels/) [Han Suyin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/han-suyin/) ## More by James Gould Cozzens > [Bailey might not have great intelligence or abilities, but his whole aim, thought and study was that of the born leader--to look out for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-gould-cozzens/bailey-might-not-have-great-intelligence-or-abilities-but-his-whole/) [James Gould Cozzens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-gould-cozzens/) > [The first test of ability and intelligence is to find a field of endeavor in which profits are large and risks small.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-gould-cozzens/the-first-test-of-ability-and-intelligence-is-to-find-a-field-of/) [James Gould Cozzens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-gould-cozzens/) > [“Moving on, while he wondered, the dark through which Mr. Lecky's light cut grew more beautiful with scents. 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By the term…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-gould-cozzens/whether-he-remained-here-or-found-a-means-to-leave-he-ought-certainly/) [James Gould Cozzens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-gould-cozzens/) > [“About his madmen Mr. Lecky was no more certain. He knew less than the little to be learned of the causes or even of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-gould-cozzens/about-his-madmen-mr-lecky-was-no-more-certain-he-knew-less-than-the/) [James Gould Cozzens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-gould-cozzens/) > [“Mr. Lecky never got any farther than the third floor. Not conscious of impossible fatigue, feeling less than his distress of the morning, he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-gould-cozzens/mr-lecky-never-got-any-farther-than-the-third-floor-not-conscious-of/) [James Gould Cozzens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-gould-cozzens/) > [“The recognition of his carelessness filled Mr. Lecky with fear and anger. 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I like acting -delivering someone else's message - but writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-martin/writing-is-something-i-took-up-rather-than-anything-i-had-an/) [Steve Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-martin/) > [“In American terms, the accomplishment of Genghis Khan might be understood if the United States, instead of being created by a group of educated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-weatherford/in-american-terms-the-accomplishment-of-genghis-khan-might-be/) [Jack Weatherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-weatherford/) > [Can you imagine any better example of divine creative accomplishment that the consummate flying machine that is a bird? 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