I must use these great men’s virtues as a cloak for my weakness.

This quote, “I must use these great men’s virtues as a cloak for my weakness,” suggests that the speaker acknowledges their own shortcomings and chooses to learn from, imitate or even hide behind the virtues of those they admire. It is an expression of humility and self-awareness, recognizing one’s limitations while aspiring to emulate the qualities seen in others.

The ‘great men’ referred to could be historical figures, leaders, philosophers or any individuals who have demonstrated admirable qualities such as courage, wisdom or integrity. Their ‘virtues’ are their moral excellence and ethical standards. The ‘cloak’, metaphorically speaking, is a form of protection against one’s own weaknesses.

In today’s context, this idea can be applied in personal development by acknowledging our weaknesses and learning from those we admire – whether they are successful entrepreneurs, authors or public figures who embody certain traits we aspire to have. For example: if someone struggles with public speaking but admires a renowned speaker for their eloquence and confidence; they could study this person’s speeches as well as life experiences that shaped them into becoming an effective communicator.

Moreover, it also encourages us not to be too harsh on ourselves when facing our inadequacies but instead focus on continuous learning from others’ strengths which can lead towards self-improvement.

However it’s important not to just mimic others blindly – everyone has unique strengths & potential which should also be discovered & nurtured alongside learning from others. This quote may serve as a reminder that everyone has room for growth & improvement; nobody is perfect – even those we look up to have had their share of weaknesses & failures which they’ve managed to overcome thereby becoming ‘great’.