--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Who shoots at the mid-day sun, though he…" description: "\"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..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d2/philip-sidney-2095_aim_who-shoots-at-the-mid-day-sun-though-he_792615.png" --- # Who shoots at the mid-day sun, though he be so sure he… ![“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.” quote by Philip Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d2/philip-sidney-2095_aim_who-shoots-at-the-mid-day-sun-though-he_792615.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d2/philip-sidney-2095_aim_who-shoots-at-the-mid-day-sun-though-he_792615.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d2/philip-sidney-2095_aim_who-shoots-at-the-mid-day-sun-though-he_792615.png) > “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.” [Philip Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sidney/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. 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. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Aim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aim/) [Aims Bush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aims-bush-6084636/) [Higher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/higher/) [Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mark/) [Shall Shoot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shall-shoot-1470549/) [Shoot Higher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shoot-higher-1903643/) [Shoots](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shoots/) [Shoots Mid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shoots-mid-6084635/) [Sun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sun/) ## Related quotes > [“Orion:“Where shall I shoot him?” Eros grinned. “Considering he won’t even feel the arrow, take your pick. I know what I would aim at.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tina-folsom/orion-where-shall-i-shoot-him-eros-grinned-considering-he-won-t-even/) [Tina Folsom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tina-folsom/) > [Who shall I shoot? You choose. Now, listen very carefully: where's your coffee? You've got coffee, haven't you? C'mon, everyone's got coffee! Spill the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-pratchett/who-shall-i-shoot-you-choose-now-listen-very-carefully-where-s-your/) [Terry Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-pratchett/) > [For a lot of companies, it's useful for them to feel like they have an obvious competitor and to rally around that. I personally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-page/for-a-lot-of-companies-it-s-useful-for-them-to-feel-like-they-have-an/) [Larry Page](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-page/) > [Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do...Try to be better than yourself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-steinbeck/always-dream-and-shoot-higher-than-you-know-you-can-do-try-to-be/) [John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-steinbeck/) > [Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Don't bother just to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-faulkner/always-dream-and-shoot-higher-than-you-know-you-can-do-don-t-bother-2/) [William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/) > [Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do. Don't bother to be better than your contemporaries or predecessors. Try to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/always-dream-and-shoot-higher-than-you-know-you-can-do-don-t-bother/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Always dream and shoot higher than you know you can do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-faulkner/always-dream-and-shoot-higher-than-you-know-you-can-do/) [William Faulkner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-faulkner/) > [ “The shrieks were coming from two quite naked girls, who were pursued by a pair of apes snapping at their bottoms. \[...\] So he… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/the-shrieks-were-coming-from-two-quite-naked-girls-who-were-pursued/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [Coming from a filmy background, I have seen everything growing up, but even at that point of time, it never really fascinated me. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sonakshi-sinha/coming-from-a-filmy-background-i-have-seen-everything-growing-up-but/) [Sonakshi Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sonakshi-sinha/) > [I go to all these photo shoots, and each time I figure out something new about myself and what I want to wear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taylor-swift/i-go-to-all-these-photo-shoots-and-each-time-i-figure-out-something/) [Taylor Swift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taylor-swift/) > [I know for a fact that if I could do only music, I'd be out of my mind, insane. I'd be stressed-out; there's so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aly-michalka/i-know-for-a-fact-that-if-i-could-do-only-music-i-d-be-out-of-my-mind/) [Aly Michalka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aly-michalka/) > [Esther be the one that shoots a machine gun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zz-top-21087/esther-be-the-one-that-shoots-a-machine-gun/) [ZZ Top](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zz-top-21087/) > [“A seed of a plot drops into my head, I plant it with a few chapters, spend a great deal of time thinking it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lesley-pearse/a-seed-of-a-plot-drops-into-my-head-i-plant-it-with-a-few-chapters/) [Lesley Pearse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lesley-pearse/) > [For me, I don't have a publicist. I don't want to talk about my personal life. I don't want to talk about my process.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debi-mazar/for-me-i-don-t-have-a-publicist-i-don-t-want-to-talk-about-my/) [Debi Mazar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debi-mazar/) > [I am a big fan of the night shoots, as tough as they are, because they have almost a camping trip feel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drew-roy/i-am-a-big-fan-of-the-night-shoots-as-tough-as-they-are-because-they/) [Drew Roy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drew-roy/) ## More by Philip Sidney > [Laws are not made like lime-twigs or nets, to catch everything that toucheth them; but rather like sea-marks, to guide from shipwreck the ignorant…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/laws-are-not-made-like-lime-twigs-or-nets-to-catch-everything-that/) [Philip Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sidney/) > [It is no less vain to wish death than it is cowardly to fear it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/it-is-no-less-vain-to-wish-death-than-it-is-cowardly-to-fear-it/) [Philip Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sidney/) > [Whatever comes out of despair cannot bear the title of valor, which should be lifted up to such a height that holding all things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/whatever-comes-out-of-despair-cannot-bear-the-title-of-valor-which/) [Philip Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sidney/) > [Sweet speaking oft a currish heart reclaims.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/sweet-speaking-oft-a-currish-heart-reclaims/) [Philip Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sidney/) > [To be ambitious of true honor and of the real glory and perfection of our nature is the very principle and incentive of virtue;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/to-be-ambitious-of-true-honor-and-of-the-real-glory-and-perfection-of/) [Philip Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sidney/) > [He travels safe and not unpleasantly who is guarded by poverty and guided by love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/he-travels-safe-and-not-unpleasantly-who-is-guarded-by-poverty-and/) [Philip Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sidney/) > [There is a certain delicacy which in yielding conquers; and with a pitiful look makes one find cause to crave help one's self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/there-is-a-certain-delicacy-which-in-yielding-conquers-and-with-a/) [Philip Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sidney/) > [The glory and increase of wisdom stands in exercising it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/the-glory-and-increase-of-wisdom-stands-in-exercising-it/) [Philip Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sidney/) > [O sweet woods, the delight of solitariness!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/o-sweet-woods-the-delight-of-solitariness/) [Philip Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sidney/) > [“Stella, the only planet of my light, Light of my life, and life of my desire, Chief good, whereto my hope doth only aspire,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/stella-the-only-planet-of-my-light-light-of-my-life-and-life-of-my/) [Philip Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sidney/) > [All is but lip-wisdom which wants experience.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/all-is-but-lip-wisdom-which-wants-experience/) [Philip Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sidney/) > [Confidence in one's self is the chief nurse of magnanimity, which confidence, notwithstanding, doth not leave the care of necessary furniture for it; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/confidence-in-one-s-self-is-the-chief-nurse-of-magnanimity-which/) [Philip Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sidney/) > [Those lovers scorn whom that love doth possess? Do they call virtue there ungratefulness?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/those-lovers-scorn-whom-that-love-doth-possess-do-they-call-virtue/) [Philip Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sidney/) > [It depends on education--that holder of the keys which the Almighty hath put into our hands--to open the gates which lead to virtue or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/it-depends-on-education-that-holder-of-the-keys-which-the-almighty/) [Philip Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sidney/) > [Vice is but a nurse of agonies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/vice-is-but-a-nurse-of-agonies/) [Philip Sidney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sidney/) [Explore all 186 Philip Sidney quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sidney/) ## More Aim quotes > [If you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zig-ziglar/if-you-aim-at-nothing-you-will-hit-it-every-time/) [Zig Ziglar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zig-ziglar/) > [A good aim surveys the present state of experience of pupils, and forming a tentative plan of treatment, keeps the plan constantly in view…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dewey/a-good-aim-surveys-the-present-state-of-experience-of-pupils-and/) [John Dewey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dewey/) > [The Christian man must aim at that complete obedience to God in which life finds its highest happiness, its greatest good, its perfect consummation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-barclay/the-christian-man-must-aim-at-that-complete-obedience-to-god-in-which/) [William Barclay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-barclay/) > [ 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… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-paterson/he-an-earnest-young-reporter-seemed-to-share-the-view-of-many/) [Katherine Paterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-paterson/) > [In Bosnia, little children shot in the head by a guy who thinks it's okay to aim his gun at a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christiane-amanpour/in-bosnia-little-children-shot-in-the-head-by-a-guy-who-thinks-it-s/) [Christiane Amanpour](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christiane-amanpour/) > [Design certainly has a cosmetic, aesthetic aim. It always aims at making things beautiful. But relevance is just as important. I often say, 'If…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yves-behar/design-certainly-has-a-cosmetic-aesthetic-aim-it-always-aims-at/) [Yves Behar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yves-behar/) > [My aim was to make money for the bank. You lose track of the amounts involved when you are engaged in this kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-kerviel/my-aim-was-to-make-money-for-the-bank-you-lose-track-of-the-amounts/) [Jerome Kerviel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-kerviel/) > [My only aim is to clock a time that everyone remembers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hima-das/my-only-aim-is-to-clock-a-time-that-everyone-remembers/) [Hima Das](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hima-das/) > [My main aim has always been to do good quality films with roles that have some substance. With Power and Beauty there were loads…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-henstridge/my-main-aim-has-always-been-to-do-good-quality-films-with-roles-that/) [Natasha Henstridge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-henstridge/) > [ I really enjoyed it - being involved in watching rushes and playback \[in "The Invisible Woman"\]. Ralph \[Fiennes\] was very open to my input,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-really-enjoyed-it-being-involved-in-watching-rushes-and-playback-in/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) > [My aim is to be counted among the top players.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/babar-azam/my-aim-is-to-be-counted-among-the-top-players/) [Babar Azam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/babar-azam/) > [The single aim of my life is that every child is: free to be a child, free to grow and develop, free to eat,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kailash-satyarthi/the-single-aim-of-my-life-is-that-every-child-is-free-to-be-a-child/) [Kailash Satyarthi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kailash-satyarthi/) > [The aim of good prose words is to mean what they say. The aim of good poetical words is to mean what they do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gilbert-k-chesterton/the-aim-of-good-prose-words-is-to-mean-what-they-say-the-aim-of-good/) [Gilbert K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gilbert-k-chesterton/) > [Prescribing hard work for the soft, or easy work for the hardy, is generally nonsense. What is always needed in any aim is right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/idries-shah/prescribing-hard-work-for-the-soft-or-easy-work-for-the-hardy-is/) [Idries Shah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/idries-shah/) > [To be normal is the ultimate aim of the unsuccessful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/to-be-normal-is-the-ultimate-aim-of-the-unsuccessful/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 3,047 Aim quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aim/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "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.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Philip Sidney" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/who-shoots-at-the-mid-day-sun-though-he-be-so-sure-he-shall-never-hit/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Aim" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/who-shoots-at-the-mid-day-sun-though-he-be-so-sure-he-shall-never-hit/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d2/philip-sidney-2095_aim_who-shoots-at-the-mid-day-sun-though-he_792615.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d2/philip-sidney-2095_aim_who-shoots-at-the-mid-day-sun-though-he_792615.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4d2/philip-sidney-2095_aim_who-shoots-at-the-mid-day-sun-though-he_792615.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“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…” — Philip Sidney", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Philip Sidney", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-sidney/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Who shoots at the mid-day sun,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/who-shoots-at-the-mid-day-sun-though-he-be-so-sure-he-shall-never-hit/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-sidney/who-shoots-at-the-mid-day-sun-though-he-be-so-sure-he-shall-never-hit/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```