--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Do you wish to be great? Then begin by…" description: "\"Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The hi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/443/saint-augustine-328_architecture_do-you-wish-to-be-great-then-begin-by-be_408534.png" --- # Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you… ![“Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation.” quote by Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/443/saint-augustine-328_architecture_do-you-wish-to-be-great-then-begin-by-be_408534.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/443/saint-augustine-328_architecture_do-you-wish-to-be-great-then-begin-by-be_408534.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/443/saint-augustine-328_architecture_do-you-wish-to-be-great-then-begin-by-be_408534.png) > “Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about the foundations of humility. The higher your structure is to be, the deeper must be its foundation.” [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Greatness requires a solid base of humility; without it, lofty ambitions collapse. **In simple terms:** Be humble to build greatness. Key Takeaway Cultivate humility before aiming high. Themes humility ambition foundation growth Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - leadership development - personal goal setting - team building - architectural design Key Concepts virtue ethics self-awareness structural integrity Questions to Reflect On - What foundations are you neglecting? - How does humility affect your leadership style? A Different Perspective Humility alone may not guarantee success; skill and opportunity also matter. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Architecture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/architecture/) [Desire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/desire/) [Humility](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humility/) [Lofty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lofty/) [Structure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/structure/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [Do you wish to be great? Then begin by being little. Do you desire to construct a vast and lofty fabric? Think first about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/do-you-wish-to-be-great-then-begin-by-being-little-do-you-desire-to/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [“We need mystery. Creator in her wisdom knew this. Mystery fills us with awe and wonder. 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Du Bois](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/w-e-b-du-bois/) ## More by Saint Augustine > [Lust indulged became habit, and habit unresisted became necessity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/lust-indulged-became-habit-and-habit-unresisted-became-necessity/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [The playthings of our elders are called business.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/the-playthings-of-our-elders-are-called-business/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [Do what you can and pray for what you cannot yet do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/do-what-you-can-and-pray-for-what-you-cannot-yet-do/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [For I did not know that the soul needs to be enlightened by light from outside itself, so that it can participate in truth,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/for-i-did-not-know-that-the-soul-needs-to-be-enlightened-by-light/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [My mother spoke of Christ to my father, by her feminine and childlike virtues, and, after having borne his violence without a murmur or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-augustine/my-mother-spoke-of-christ-to-my-father-by-her-feminine-and-childlike/) [Saint Augustine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saint-augustine/) > [Wicked sons do not have the Holy Ghost in the same way as do beloved sons, and yet they do have Baptism. 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