--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We aim above the mark, to hit the mark…" description: "\"We aim above the mark, to hit the mark. Every act hath some falsehood of exaggeration in it.\" — Ralph Waldo Emerson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/529/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_aim_we-aim-above-the-mark-to-hit-the-mark-ev_501551.png" --- # We aim above the mark, to hit the mark. Every act hath… ![“We aim above the mark, to hit the mark. Every act hath some falsehood of exaggeration in it.” quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/529/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_aim_we-aim-above-the-mark-to-hit-the-mark-ev_501551.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/529/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_aim_we-aim-above-the-mark-to-hit-the-mark-ev_501551.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/529/ralph-waldo-emerson-6_aim_we-aim-above-the-mark-to-hit-the-mark-ev_501551.png) > “We aim above the mark, to hit the mark. Every act hath some falsehood of exaggeration in it.” [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Striving for excellence inevitably involves exaggeration; honesty requires acknowledging our embellishments. **In simple terms:** Aiming high leads to some exaggeration; stay truthful. Key Takeaway Balance ambition with integrity. Themes ambition truth self‑critique exaggeration Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - goal setting - public speaking - creative writing - performance evaluation Key Concepts philosophy ethics personal growth Questions to Reflect On - When does ambition become self‑deception? - How can we maintain honesty while pursuing greatness? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on perfection can cause self‑deception. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Exaggeration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exaggeration/) [Falsehood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/falsehood/) ## Related quotes > [We aim above the mark to hit the mark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/we-aim-above-the-mark-to-hit-the-mark/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [By the time I was 4, I knew how to hit my mark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-temple/by-the-time-i-was-4-i-knew-how-to-hit-my-mark/) [Shirley Temple](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-temple/) > [The aim of talk should be like the aim of a flying arrow -- to hit the mark; but to this end there must…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/the-aim-of-talk-should-be-like-the-aim-of-a-flying-arrow-to-hit-the/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [“Aim High and Hit the Mark”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosalinda-rosales-morgan/aim-high-and-hit-the-mark/) Rosalinda Rosales Morgan > [Which arrow flies for ever? The arrow that has hit its mark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vladimir-nabokov/which-arrow-flies-for-ever-the-arrow-that-has-hit-its-mark/) [Vladimir Nabokov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vladimir-nabokov/) > [Sometimes it's better to make a mark than to hit your mark, and I think I realized that early on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/willam-belli/sometimes-it-s-better-to-make-a-mark-than-to-hit-your-mark-and-i/) [Willam Belli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/willam-belli/) > [“Mark your mark, get off your mark, hit the mark and make your mark.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anyaele-sam-chiyson/mark-your-mark-get-off-your-mark-hit-the-mark-and-make-your-mark/) Anyaele Sam Chiyson > [If you would hit the mark, you must aim a little above it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/if-you-would-hit-the-mark-you-must-aim-a-little-above-it/) [Henry Wadsworth Longfellow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-wadsworth-longfellow/) > [“A man who hits the skids, will not hit the mark.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anyaele-sam-chiyson/a-man-who-hits-the-skids-will-not-hit-the-mark/) Anyaele Sam Chiyson > [I understand the opposite side of the camera. I have a profound respect for that. I have worked with people who, when you hit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jake-gyllenhaal/i-understand-the-opposite-side-of-the-camera-i-have-a-profound/) [Jake Gyllenhaal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jake-gyllenhaal/) > [Be good to people, be kind to people, show up, read the lines, hit the mark, and go home.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierce-brosnan/be-good-to-people-be-kind-to-people-show-up-read-the-lines-hit-the/) [Pierce Brosnan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierce-brosnan/) > [As in all infant sciences, the universal habit of the human mind - to take a partial or local truth, generalise it unduly and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-aurobindo/as-in-all-infant-sciences-the-universal-habit-of-the-human-mind-to/) [Sri Aurobindo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-aurobindo/) > [Every vice is only an exaggeration of a necessary and virtuous function.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/every-vice-is-only-an-exaggeration-of-a-necessary-and-virtuous/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Tis a rule of manners to avoid exaggeration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/tis-a-rule-of-manners-to-avoid-exaggeration/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Exaggeration is in the course of things. Nature sends no creature, no man into the world, without adding a small excess of his proper…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/exaggeration-is-in-the-course-of-things-nature-sends-no-creature-no/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## More by Ralph Waldo Emerson > [The history of mankind interests us only as it exhibits a steady gain of truth and right, in the incessant conflict which it records…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-history-of-mankind-interests-us-only-as-it-exhibits-a-steady-gain/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If we will not interfere with our thought, but will act entirely, or see how the thing stands in God, we know the particular…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-we-will-not-interfere-with-our-thought-but-will-act-entirely-or/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If there is any period one would desire to be born in, is it not the age of Revolution; when the old and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/if-there-is-any-period-one-would-desire-to-be-born-in-is-it-not-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A man cannot speak but he judges himself. With his will or against his will he draws his portrait to the eye of his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-man-cannot-speak-but-he-judges-himself-with-his-will-or-against-his/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Consideration is the soil in which wisdom may be expected to grow, and strength be given to every up-springing plant of duty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/consideration-is-the-soil-in-which-wisdom-may-be-expected-to-grow-and/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [“There is then creative reading as well as creative writing. When the mind is braced by labor and invention, the page of whatever book…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/there-is-then-creative-reading-as-well-as-creative-writing-when-the/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The order of things consents to virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-order-of-things-consents-to-virtue/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Life only avails, not the having lived.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/life-only-avails-not-the-having-lived/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Another success is the post-office, with its educating energy augmented by cheapness and guarded by a certain religious sentimentin mankind; so that the power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/another-success-is-the-post-office-with-its-educating-energy/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [A child reminds us that playtime is an essential part of our daily routine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/a-child-reminds-us-that-playtime-is-an-essential-part-of-our-daily/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [No man can be criticised but by a greater than he. Do not, then, read the reviews.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/no-man-can-be-criticised-but-by-a-greater-than-he-do-not-then-read/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Coal lay in ledges under the ground since the Flood, until a laborer with pick and windlass brings it to the surface. We may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/coal-lay-in-ledges-under-the-ground-since-the-flood-until-a-laborer/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [I am; therefore, I had nothing better to do than to think.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/i-am-therefore-i-had-nothing-better-to-do-than-to-think/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [In a library we are surrounded by many hundreds of dear friends, but they are imprisoned by an enchanter in these paper and leathern…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/in-a-library-we-are-surrounded-by-many-hundreds-of-dear-friends-but/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [The compensations of calamity are made apparent to the understanding also, after long intervals of time. A fever, a mutilation, a cruel disappointment, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-compensations-of-calamity-are-made-apparent-to-the-understanding/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) [Explore all 4,802 Ralph Waldo Emerson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) ## 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 ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We aim above the mark, to hit the mark. 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