“No great man ever complains of want of opportunity.”
What this quote means
Emerson asserts that great men never complain about lack of opportunity, because they create their own chances. This quote challenges the idea that luck or circumstances determine success. It encourages taking responsibility for one's destiny, actively seeking solutions rather than waiting for doors to open. In a world where we often hear 'there are no opportunities,' it reminds us that ingenuity and perseverance can create them.
How to apply it daily
For a project you care about, list three actions you can take today to create your own opportunity, without waiting for others.
Reading guide
Which book should you read to discover Ralph Waldo Emerson?
Our starting point
Discovering self-reliance and independence of mind
Essays: First Series
It includes “Self-Reliance,” the essay that unlocks many quotations attributed to Emerson.
- Level
- Intermediate
- Reading time
- 6–8 hours
- Formats to compare
- Print · Ebook · Audio
Merchant links help compare editions. Recommendations are editorially independent.
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