Approach Quote by Jean de la Bruyere
“The nearer we approach great men, the clearer we see that they are men.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Les Caractères, 1688
Great people are ordinary humans; proximity reveals their flaws, demystifying hero worship.
In simple terms: Great men are just men when examined closely.
Key Takeaway
See leaders as human, not mythic.
Themes
humility
leadership
perception
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- biography study
- leadership training
- media analysis
Key Concepts
hero worship
human fallibility
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance admiration with realism?
- What lessons can you learn from leaders' imperfections?
A Different Perspective
Idealization can hinder realistic expectations.
![“The court is like a palace built of marble; I mean that it is made up of very hard but very polished people. [Fr., La cour est comme un edifice bati de marbre; je veux dire qu'elle est composee d'hommes fort durs mais fort polis.]” quote by Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/fcf/jean-de-la-bruyere-575_built_the-court-is-like-a-palace-built-of-marb_77288.jpg)
