Aim Quote by Philip Sidney
“Who shoots at the mid-day sun, though he be so sure he shall never hit the mark, yet as sure as he is, he shall shoot higher than he who aims at a bush.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: Astrophel and Stella, 1590
A confident archer misses his target, yet his ambition drives him higher than a cautious aim at a small goal.
In simple terms: Bold ambition can surpass modest aims.
Key Takeaway
Aim high, even if you miss.
Themes
ambition
confidence
goal setting
comparison
Mood
determined
critical
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- creative projects
- leadership decisions
Key Concepts
archery metaphor
personal aspiration
Questions to Reflect On
- What goals are you aiming too high?
- When is modest aiming better?
A Different Perspective
Overconfidence can lead to wasted effort.
![“The shrieks were coming from two quite naked girls, who were pursued by a pair of apes snapping at their bottoms. [...] So he now raises his double-barrelled Spanish rifle, fires and kills both apes. 'God be praised, my dear Calambo! I have delivered these two poor creatures from grave peril; if…” quote by Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9a9/voltaire-173_apes_the-shrieks-were-coming-from-two-quite-n_173005.jpg)
![“He [an earnest young reporter] seemed to share the view of many intelligent, well-educated, well-meaning people that, while adult literature may aim to be art, the object of children's books is to whip the little rascals into shape.” quote by Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2cf/katherine-paterson-2365_adults_he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-s_6101.jpg)
![“I really enjoyed it - being involved in watching rushes and playback [in "The Invisible Woman"]. Ralph [Fiennes] was very open to my input, I think knowing that he couldn't always be there 100 percent, that he had dual aims with directing and acting.” quote by Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/56e/felicity-jones-2070_acting_i-really-enjoyed-it-being-involved-in-wa_11933.jpg)
