Intelligence Quote by William Penn
““Sense never fails to give them that have it, Words enough to make them understood. It too often happens in some conversations, as in Apothecary Shops, that those Pots that are Empty, or have Things of small Value in them, are as gaudily Dress'd as those that are full of precious Drugs. They that soar too high, often fall hard, making a low and level Dwelling preferable. The tallest Trees are most in the Power of the Winds, and Ambitious Men of the Blasts of Fortune. Buildings have need of a good Foundation, that lie so much exposed to the Weather.””
About This Quote
Empty vessels are often dressed ornately, while full ones are modest; ambition without foundation leads to downfall; humility and solid foundations are essential.
In simple terms: Showiness without substance leads to failure; stay grounded.
Key Takeaway
Build a strong foundation before seeking lofty goals.
Themes
humility
foundation
ambition
practicality
Mood
thoughtful
cautionary
Type
philosophical
advice
When to use this quote
- career planning
- financial decisions
- personal growth
- leadership
Key Concepts
symbolism
philosophy
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What foundations are you neglecting?
- How can humility protect against overreaching?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on appearance can mask lack of substance.
![“We thought [with Alix MacKenzie], if those are the kinds of pots from every culture that interest us, why would we think that it should be any different in mid-North America 20th century? And we decided then that our work would center around that sort of utilitarian pottery, and that's what I've…” quote by Warren MacKenzie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/db7/warren-mackenzie-4654_20th-century_we-thought-with-alix-mackenzie-if-those_265640.jpg)
