There are no great men, there are only great challenges, which ordinary men like you and me are forced by circumstances to meet.
William Frederick Halsey, Jr.
MEANING OF THIS QUOTE
We all look up to the great men of our times and yesteryear for inspiration. In doing so, we often elevate them to a hero-like status, while forgetting the challenges that actually made them so accomplished. After all, it were these challenges that prompted them to step out of their comfort zones and up their game. In other words, if it wasn’t for these hardships, they probably would have never scaled the kinds of heights they did.
WOULDN’T THEY HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL MUCH SOONER IF NOT FOR THE SETBACKS?
Probably, but such success wouldn’t have been as savory for them and as motivational for others. Think of it this way, every great man we look up to commands that respect because they overcame each problem they encountered along the way. Their journey to the summit wouldn’t have been half as enjoyable or inspirational had it been smooth sailing. Both the human brain and our lives are hardwired in a way that we find something uplifting about men who made it big despite their hardships. Besides, no worthwhile accomplishment ever comes easy. As such, if one achieves something unhindered, they probably weren’t aiming high enough. That’s why we find nothing inspirational about people who made it big in life due to, say, nepotism or their sycophancy.
CONCLUSION
Achievements that come after enduring extraordinary challenges are what make men great. You cannot expect to follow the charted path and attain greatness. The road to greatness involves facing and overcoming adversity en route to success against all odds, for it is such underdog stories that inspire several generations to come.
William Frederick Halsey Jr. was an American Navy admiral during World War II. Nicknamed “Bull”, Halsey stood out for his inspirational quotes about great men and their qualities. One such quotes goes as follows: “There are no great men, there are only great challenges, which ordinary men like you and me are forced by circumstances to meet.”