Aim Quote by Lydia M. Child
“All who strive to live for something beyond mere selfish aims find their capacities for doing good very inadequate to their aspirations. They do so much less than they want to do, and so much less than they, at the outset, expected to do, that their lives, viewed retrospectively, inevitably look like failure.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Reflections on Altruism, 2018
People aim for lofty altruistic goals but often fall short, leading to a sense of failure when looking back.
In simple terms: Good intentions often don’t match outcomes.
Key Takeaway
Align expectations with realistic capacity.
Themes
ethics
self‑assessment
failure
aspiration
Mood
reflective
somber
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- volunteering
- career planning
- personal development
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
psychology
goal setting
Questions to Reflect On
- What realistic impact can you make?
- How do you measure success in helping others?
A Different Perspective
Idealism may clash with practical limits.
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