--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Ought a man to be confident that he…" description: "\"Ought a man to be confident that he deserves his good fortune, and think much of himself when he has overcome a nation, or city, or empire; or does for..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3aa/plutarch-597_affair_ought-a-man-to-be-confident-that-he-dese_2116630.jpg" --- # Ought a man to be confident that he deserves his good… ![“Ought a man to be confident that he deserves his good fortune, and think much of himself when he has overcome a nation, or city, or empire; or does fortune give this as an example to the victor also of the uncertainty of human affairs, which never continue in one stay? For what time can there be…” quote by Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3aa/plutarch-597_affair_ought-a-man-to-be-confident-that-he-dese_2116630.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3aa/plutarch-597_affair_ought-a-man-to-be-confident-that-he-dese_2116630.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3aa/plutarch-597_affair_ought-a-man-to-be-confident-that-he-dese_2116630.jpg) > “Ought a man to be confident that he deserves his good fortune, and think much of himself when he has overcome a nation, or city, or empire; or does fortune give this as an example to the victor also of the uncertainty of human affairs, which never continue in one stay? For what time can there be for us mortals to feel confident, when our victories over others especially compel us to dread fortune, and while we are exulting, the reflection that the fatal day comes now to one, now to another, in regular succession, dashes our joy.” [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human success is fleeting; overconfidence after victories can blind us to future misfortune. **In simple terms:** Success is temporary; humility protects against future loss. Key Takeaway Stay humble and prepared for change. Themes humility impermanence pride fortune human affairs Mood thoughtful cautious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - leadership decisions - military campaigns - business expansions - personal achievements - political conquests Key Concepts philosophy psychology ethics Questions to Reflect On - What practices keep you grounded after success? - How can societies balance pride with prudence? A Different Perspective Overconfidence may cause reckless decisions and ignore warning signs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Affair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/affair/) [Cities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cities/) [Confidence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/confidence/) [Empires](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empires/) [Fortune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fortune/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Good fortune](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/good-fortune/) [Humans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humans/) [Joy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/joy/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Mortals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mortals/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Overcoming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overcoming/) [Reflection](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reflection/) [Succession](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/succession/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Uncertainty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uncertainty/) [Victory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/victory/) [Wealth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wealth/) ## Related quotes > [“It cost nothing to think bigger than you are, BUT cost a fortune to think less of yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olawale-daniel/it-cost-nothing-to-think-bigger-than-you-are-but-cost-a-fortune-to/) [Olawale Daniel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olawale-daniel/) > [“It is fit that the fortune should be on his side, for I think the merit will be all on hers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-austen/it-is-fit-that-the-fortune-should-be-on-his-side-for-i-think-the/) [Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-austen/) > [A successful life does not result from chance; nor is it determined by fate or good fortune, but rather through a succession of successful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-kiev/a-successful-life-does-not-result-from-chance-nor-is-it-determined-by/) [Ari Kiev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-kiev/) > [For the rich men without scruple drew the estate into their own hands, excluding the rightful heirs from their succession; and all the wealth…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/for-the-rich-men-without-scruple-drew-the-estate-into-their-own-hands/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Good fortune will elevate even petty minds, and give them the appearance of a certain greatness and stateliness, as from their high place they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plutarch/good-fortune-will-elevate-even-petty-minds-and-give-them-the/) [Plutarch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plutarch/) > [Being an artist is like being an athlete. 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