Great men Quote by Max Brooks
“I don't know if great times make great men, but I know they can kill them.”
About This Quote
Source Novel: World War Z, 2006
Extraordinary circumstances can destroy even the strongest individuals, highlighting vulnerability.
In simple terms: Great times can destroy great men.
Key Takeaway
Beware of hubris in success.
Themes
vulnerability
power
history
humanity
Mood
cautionary
insightful
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- leadership
- war
- political power
- personal ambition
Key Concepts
sociology
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you stay grounded in success?
- What safeguards protect against self-destruction?
A Different Perspective
Success does not guarantee resilience; context matters.
![“They say great times make great men. I don't buy it. I saw a lot of weakness, a lot of filth. People who should have risen to the challenge and either couldn't or wouldn't. Greed, fear, stupidity and hate. I saw it before the war, I see it today. [...] I don't know if great times make great men…” quote by Max Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4ed/max-brooks-2735_challenges_they-say-great-times-make-great-men-i-do_390485.jpg)
![“[...]you don’t have to be Sun freakin Tzu to know that real fighting isn’t about killing or even hurting the other guy, it’s about scaring him enough to call it a day.” quote by Max Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/eee/max-brooks-2735_enough_you-don-t-have-to-be-sun-freakin-tzu-to_182431.jpg)
