Ability Quote by Oliver Goldsmith
“Life has been compared to a race, but the allusion improves by observing, that the most swift are usually the least manageable and the most likely to stray from the course. Great abilities have always been less serviceable to the possessors than moderate ones.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Comparison of Life to a Race", 1760
Life's talents are unpredictable; great abilities often bring challenges and can lead one astray.
In simple terms: Great abilities can be hard to manage and may cause problems.
Key Takeaway
Balance talent with humility.
Themes
talent
humility
self‑management
Mood
reflective
cautious
Type
philosophical
advice
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- leadership roles
- creative projects
- personal development
Key Concepts
philosophy
human nature
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you keep modest while using your talents?
- What habits help you stay grounded?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on talent can cause neglect of other skills.
![“[T]here are depths of thousands of miles which are hidden from our inquiry. The only tidings we have from those unfathomable regions are by means of volcanoes, those burning mountains that seem to discharge their materials from the lowest abysses of the earth.” quote by Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b7d/oliver-goldsmith-772_abyss_t-here-are-depths-of-thousands-of-miles_88121.jpg)
