Great conquests trouble, where contempt may please — the one yields glory, and the other ease.
The quote “Great conquests trouble, where contempt may please — the one yields glory, and the other ease” suggests a contrast between two paths: one that leads to significant achievements (great conquests) and another that offers comfort without much effort (contempt). The essence of this statement revolves around the idea that pursuing greatness often comes with challenges and struggles, while taking an easier route might provide temporary satisfaction but lacks deeper fulfillment.
**Understanding the Quote:**
1. **Great Conquests:** This phrase refers to ambitious goals or major achievements in life—whether they be personal aspirations, career milestones, or overcoming adversity. Achieving these requires dedication, hard work, and resilience. While these endeavors can lead to recognition and glory (a sense of accomplishment), they also bring stress and difficulties along the way.
2. **Contempt:** In this context, contempt implies a dismissive attitude or settling for mediocrity—choosing not to strive for greatness because it is easier to avoid challenges. While this path may seem more comfortable in the short term (offering “ease”), it often results in feelings of emptiness or lack of fulfillment over time.
3. **Glory vs. Ease:** The dichotomy presented highlights that true satisfaction—and perhaps even happiness—often comes from engaging with life’s complexities rather than avoiding them. Glory gained through hard-won success tends to be more meaningful than fleeting pleasure derived from complacency.
**Application in Today’s World:**
In modern society, we see numerous examples where individuals face a choice between striving for excellence and opting for an easy life:
– **Career Choices:** Many people find themselves at crossroads in their careers; should they pursue challenging roles that promise growth but come with stress? Or should they choose less demanding jobs that provide comfort? Those who take risks may find greater career satisfaction later on due to their accomplishments.
– **Personal Development:** In personal growth journeys—like fitness goals or education—the path toward improvement is often filled with obstacles such as setbacks and discomforts. Embracing these challenges can yield long-term benefits like improved health or knowledge versus choosing an easier lifestyle which might lead to stagnation.
– **Social Dynamics:** In relationships too, nurturing deep connections requires vulnerability and effort against potential conflicts (great conquests). Conversely, remaining aloof might prevent immediate discomfort but ultimately lacks depth (“contempt”).
Ultimately, embracing challenges aligns you closer with your potential while allowing you opportunities for authentic connections both within yourself and with others around you.
In conclusion, this quote serves as a reminder that while striving for greatness involves hardship—it’s within those trials we discover our strengths and achieve true fulfillment—a lesson applicable across various facets of life today.
