--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Impassioned characters never attain their…" description: "\"Impassioned characters never attain their mark till they have overshot it.\" — Sophie Swetchine" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/662/sophie-swetchine-3738_ambition_impassioned-characters-never-attain-thei_2267512.png" --- # Impassioned characters never attain their mark till they… ![“Impassioned characters never attain their mark till they have overshot it.” quote by Sophie Swetchine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/662/sophie-swetchine-3738_ambition_impassioned-characters-never-attain-thei_2267512.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/662/sophie-swetchine-3738_ambition_impassioned-characters-never-attain-thei_2267512.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/662/sophie-swetchine-3738_ambition_impassioned-characters-never-attain-thei_2267512.png) > “Impassioned characters never attain their mark till they have overshot it.” [Sophie Swetchine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-swetchine/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Passionate people often miss their goals because they overextend themselves. **In simple terms:** Too much zeal can cause failure. Key Takeaway Balance passion with realistic limits. Themes ambition self‑awareness balance Mood reflective cautious Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - project planning - creative pursuits - leadership decisions Key Concepts overextension goal setting Questions to Reflect On - How can you channel passion without overreaching? - What signs indicate you’re overshooting? A Different Perspective Passion can also drive breakthroughs when managed. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ambition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Characters Attain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/characters-attain-5242130/) [Impassioned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impassioned/) [Impassioned Characters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/impassioned-characters-5242129/) [Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mark/) [Overshot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/overshot-3036875/) [Till Overshot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/till-overshot-5242131/) ## Related quotes > [With decrepitude, longevity has overshot the mark.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/with-decrepitude-longevity-has-overshot-the-mark/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [“I thought I was just catching up to everyone else, but it turned out I overshot the mark and had begun to launch myself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-treadwell/i-thought-i-was-just-catching-up-to-everyone-else-but-it-turned-out-i/) [Clive Treadwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-treadwell/) > [Indifferent souls never part. Impassioned souls part, and return to one another, because they can do no better.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-swetchine/indifferent-souls-never-part-impassioned-souls-part-and-return-to-one/) [Sophie Swetchine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-swetchine/) > [Men are failures, not because they are stupid, but because they are not sufficiently impassioned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maxwell-struthers-burt/men-are-failures-not-because-they-are-stupid-but-because-they-are-not/) [Maxwell Struthers Burt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maxwell-struthers-burt/) > [It is unethical not to know. It is unethical not to think. It is unethical not to love. It is unethical not to live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasuhiko-kimura/it-is-unethical-not-to-know-it-is-unethical-not-to-think-it-is/) [Yasuhiko Kimura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasuhiko-kimura/) > [ Every man's task \[his 'great dream' and impassioned life-goal\] is his life preserver. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/every-man-s-task-his-great-dream-and-impassioned-life-goal-is-his/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Gourmandise is an impassioned, rational, and habitual preference for all objects which flatter the sense of taste.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-anthelme-brillat-savarin/gourmandise-is-an-impassioned-rational-and-habitual-preference-for-2/) [Jean Anthelme Brillat-Savarin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-anthelme-brillat-savarin/) > [I was lying, but I wanted to rouse him. I have an inborn urge to contradict; my whole life has been a mere chain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mikhail-lermontov/i-was-lying-but-i-wanted-to-rouse-him-i-have-an-inborn-urge-to/) [Mikhail Lermontov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mikhail-lermontov/) > [Insomniac is an impassioned work-an inspired amalgam of academic and first-hand research, memoir, analysis, and the kind of obsessive brooding we associate with the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-carol-oates/insomniac-is-an-impassioned-work-an-inspired-amalgam-of-academic-and/) [Joyce Carol Oates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-carol-oates/) > [The Middle Ages were an era of mysticism, ruled by blind faith and blind obedience to the dogma that faith is superior to reason.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/the-middle-ages-were-an-era-of-mysticism-ruled-by-blind-faith-and/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [Jesus taught that perseverance is the essential element of prayer. Men must be in earnest when they kneel at God's footstool. Too often we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-mckendree-bounds/jesus-taught-that-perseverance-is-the-essential-element-of-prayer-men/) [Edward McKendree Bounds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-mckendree-bounds/) > [There is no substitute for your impassioned prayers on behalf of your children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-george/there-is-no-substitute-for-your-impassioned-prayers-on-behalf-of-your/) [Jim George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-george/) > [But though first love's impassioned blindness Has passed away in colder light, I still have thought of you with kindness, And shall do, till…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-love-peacock/but-though-first-love-s-impassioned-blindness-has-passed-away-in/) [Thomas Love Peacock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-love-peacock/) > [One of the surest evidences of an elevated taste is the power of enjoying works of impassioned terrorism, in poetry, and painting. The man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-haydon/one-of-the-surest-evidences-of-an-elevated-taste-is-the-power-of/) [Benjamin Haydon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-haydon/) > [Each of us must become impassioned, finding meaning and self-fulfillment in our own life's journey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-stoddard/each-of-us-must-become-impassioned-finding-meaning-and-self/) [Alexandra Stoddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-stoddard/) ## More by Sophie Swetchine > [A good, finished scandal, fully armed and equipped, such as circulates in the world, is rarely the production of a single individual, or even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-swetchine/a-good-finished-scandal-fully-armed-and-equipped-such-as-circulates/) [Sophie Swetchine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-swetchine/) > [Respect is a serious thing in him who feels it, and the height of honor for him who inspires the feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-swetchine/respect-is-a-serious-thing-in-him-who-feels-it-and-the-height-of/) [Sophie Swetchine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-swetchine/) > [Since there must be chimeras, why is not perfection the chimera of all men?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-swetchine/since-there-must-be-chimeras-why-is-not-perfection-the-chimera-of-all/) [Sophie Swetchine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-swetchine/) > [Those who have suffered much are like those who know many languages; they have learned to understand and be understood by all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-swetchine/those-who-have-suffered-much-are-like-those-who-know-many-languages/) [Sophie Swetchine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-swetchine/) > [Men are always invoking justice; yet it is justice which should make them tremble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-swetchine/men-are-always-invoking-justice-yet-it-is-justice-which-should-make/) [Sophie Swetchine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-swetchine/) > [To reveal imprudently the spot where we are most sensitive and vulnerable is to invite a blow. The demigod Achilles admitted no one to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-swetchine/to-reveal-imprudently-the-spot-where-we-are-most-sensitive-and/) [Sophie Swetchine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-swetchine/) > [God has prohibited despair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-swetchine/god-has-prohibited-despair/) [Sophie Swetchine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-swetchine/) > [There are questions so indiscreet, that they deserve neither truth nor falsehood in reply.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-swetchine/there-are-questions-so-indiscreet-that-they-deserve-neither-truth-nor/) [Sophie Swetchine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-swetchine/) > [Antiquity is a species of aristocracy with which it is not easy to be on visiting terms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-swetchine/antiquity-is-a-species-of-aristocracy-with-which-it-is-not-easy-to-be/) [Sophie Swetchine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-swetchine/) > [The best of lessons, for a good many people, would be to listen at a keyhole. It is a pity for such that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-swetchine/the-best-of-lessons-for-a-good-many-people-would-be-to-listen-at-a/) [Sophie Swetchine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-swetchine/) > [There is, by God's grace, an immeasurable distance between late and too late.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-swetchine/there-is-by-god-s-grace-an-immeasurable-distance-between-late-and-too/) [Sophie Swetchine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-swetchine/) > [A malicious enemy is better than a clumsy friend.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-swetchine/a-malicious-enemy-is-better-than-a-clumsy-friend/) [Sophie Swetchine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-swetchine/) > [Truth only is prolific. Error, sterile in itself, produces only by means of the portion of truth which it contains. It may have offspring,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-swetchine/truth-only-is-prolific-error-sterile-in-itself-produces-only-by-means/) [Sophie Swetchine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-swetchine/) > [By becoming unhappy, we sometimes learn how to be less so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-swetchine/by-becoming-unhappy-we-sometimes-learn-how-to-be-less-so/) [Sophie Swetchine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-swetchine/) > [Our faults afflict us more than our good deeds console. Pain is ever uppermost in the conscience as in the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-swetchine/our-faults-afflict-us-more-than-our-good-deeds-console-pain-is-ever/) [Sophie Swetchine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-swetchine/) [Explore all 123 Sophie Swetchine quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-swetchine/) ## More Ambition quotes > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [One needs more than ambition and talent to make a success of anything, really. There must be love and a vocation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessye-norman/one-needs-more-than-ambition-and-talent-to-make-a-success-of-anything/) [Jessye Norman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessye-norman/) > [I just think my own ambition would not allow me to sit on the gifts that my creator had given me. And so that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-just-think-my-own-ambition-would-not-allow-me-to-sit-on-the-gifts/) [Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/) > [A man's worth is no greater than the worth of his ambitions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/a-man-s-worth-is-no-greater-than-the-worth-of-his-ambitions/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm hungry and ambitious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julen-lopetegui/i-m-hungry-and-ambitious/) [Julen Lopetegui](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julen-lopetegui/) > [“I was ambitious and desperate to direct my first film, so I capitulated and blew it. Never again. Never fucking again.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-ferguson/i-was-ambitious-and-desperate-to-direct-my-first-film-so-i/) [Craig Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-ferguson/) > [I was always attracted most to joining City, and I am pleased to be at such a good club with such a big ambition…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edin-dzeko/i-was-always-attracted-most-to-joining-city-and-i-am-pleased-to-be-at/) [Edin Dzeko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edin-dzeko/) > [Work towards your goal and dont watch the post size,its either they hate,or like you.there is no room for both sides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaac-buabeng/work-towards-your-goal-and-dont-watch-the-post-size-its-either-they/) [Isaac Buabeng](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isaac-buabeng/) > [“But young men have not only this frivolous ambition of being thought masters of execution, inciting them on the one hand, but also their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/but-young-men-have-not-only-this-frivolous-ambition-of-being-thought/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I almost never have a plan for myself... I'm not ambitious in that way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-plimpton/i-almost-never-have-a-plan-for-myself-i-m-not-ambitious-in-that-way/) [Martha Plimpton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-plimpton/) > [I play for high stakes and given an audience - there is no act too daring or too noble.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/i-play-for-high-stakes-and-given-an-audience-there-is-no-act-too/) [Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/) > [There's nothing worse than a leader who lacks ambition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-s-nothing-worse-than-a-leader-who-lacks-ambition/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If i can't even protect my captain's dream, then whatever ambition i have is nothing but talk..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoro/if-i-can-t-even-protect-my-captain-s-dream-then-whatever-ambition-i/) [Zoro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoro/) > [It may seem unattainable but if you put actions, your heart and your mind into it, you will prevail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/london-mond/it-may-seem-unattainable-but-if-you-put-actions-your-heart-and-your/) [London Mond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/london-mond/) > [Obligation is what's leading us to toward successful, and what keeps us moving towards the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wazim-shaw/obligation-is-what-s-leading-us-to-toward-successful-and-what-keeps/) [Wazim Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wazim-shaw/) [Browse all 4,601 Ambition quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ambition/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Impassioned characters never attain their mark till they have overshot it.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sophie Swetchine" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-swetchine/impassioned-characters-never-attain-their-mark-till-they-have/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ambition" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-swetchine/impassioned-characters-never-attain-their-mark-till-they-have/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/662/sophie-swetchine-3738_ambition_impassioned-characters-never-attain-thei_2267512.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/662/sophie-swetchine-3738_ambition_impassioned-characters-never-attain-thei_2267512.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/662/sophie-swetchine-3738_ambition_impassioned-characters-never-attain-thei_2267512.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Impassioned characters never attain their mark till they have overshot it.” — Sophie Swetchine", "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": "Sophie Swetchine", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophie-swetchine/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Impassioned characters never attain their mark...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-swetchine/impassioned-characters-never-attain-their-mark-till-they-have/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophie-swetchine/impassioned-characters-never-attain-their-mark-till-they-have/#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 } } ] } ```