That which thy fathers have bequeathed to thee, earn it anew if thou wouldst possess it.

What did Johann Wolfgang von Goethe mean by:

That which thy fathers have bequeathed to thee, earn it anew if thou wouldst possess it.

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This quote underscores the importance of hard work and personal effort in truly owning something, even if it’s inherited. It suggests that one doesn’t truly possess something unless they have earned it themselves. Inheriting something, whether it’s wealth, a position, or a legacy, doesn’t necessarily mean that one has fully earned it or deserves it. To truly possess it, one must work for it and earn it anew.

This idea can be applied in today’s world in various spheres. For instance, in the business world, it’s not uncommon for people to inherit their family’s business. However, to truly make it their own and ensure its continued success, they need to understand it, work for it, and possibly even innovate or expand it. Simply inheriting a business doesn’t guarantee its continued success; the inheritor must earn it anew.

Similarly, in the world of politics, power is often passed down within families. But for a leader to truly have the respect and support of their people, they must prove their worth, demonstrate their skills, and earn their position, rather than simply inheriting it.

In terms of personal development, this quote can serve as a reminder that personal growth comes from personal effort. Even if one is born into a family with certain talents or strengths, they must cultivate these abilities themselves if they want to truly possess them. For example, a person might be born into a family of musicians, but they won’t truly be a musician unless they practice and develop their musical skills themselves.

Overall, this quote emphasizes the importance of personal effort and hard work in truly owning something, and suggests that inheritance alone is not enough. It’s a call to action to earn what you have, to make it truly yours.

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