William Makepeace Thackeray Quote

“To endure is greater than to dare; to tire out hostile fortune; to be daunted by no difficulty; to keep heart when all have lost it; to go through intrigue spotless; to forgo even ambition when the end is gained -- who can say this is not greatness?”

~ William Makepeace Thackeray


Ratings and Comments


E Archer, NYC

Would that our fellow Americans embodied such sentiment.

Dana, Lincoln

"to forgo even ambition when the end is gained" Since everyone else seems to want to make these all about the war, I wonder if that is why our President has chosen to stay the course in this conflict despite apparent political cost.

warren, olathe

Dang that does describe George Bush doesn't it. How did he do that? He died almost 150 years ago.

Anonymous

Bush is a student of history...Nazi history.

warren, olathe

Only an idiot would compare Bush to Hitler or Nazi. Show complete ignorance of the Third Reich and its politics. George Bush may not be a true conservative but he is not a socialist as Adolf was. Nor did he advocate disarming the public like Adolf did. Nor did he advocate the removal of profit from stockholders like Adolf and Hillary did. Nor did he have glowing things to say about how Stalin ran his country like Adolf did. Nor would he be an honored member of the democrat party as Adolf would be if he were alive and here today.

Dana, Lincoln

Anonymous, I think it isn't possible that Bush is a Nazi for one reason...the American press would love him if he were.

Dana, Lincoln

And if you had any idea of history, you would not be able to make such irrational statements.

E Archer, NYC

Not for one second did I think of GWB in this quote. I honor the individuals who resist the attempts to oppress them and abridge their rights -- those that endure oppression until that day when Liberty is revered above so-called security. War on Terror? What the hell is that? Terror is a tactic, not an enemy, and the tactic of fear and intimidation is alive and well in the Bush administration. And Yes GWB does authorize the confiscation of weapons in times of emergency -- like a hurricane. FEMA handcuffed law-abiding property owners in New Orleans while they searched their homes for guns which were confiscated (even legally owned and registered). The residents were allowed to remain unarmed to 'defend' their famiiles and property. The newly created Department of Homeland (Fatherland?) Security is another of GWB's departments that operate above the law whenever the President so decrees. Warren, your blind faith only gets in the way of true Republicanism.

Dana, Lincoln

I didn't say you said anything about Bush in this particular quote. But on a good many, there are irrelevant remarks about him so I decided to throw one in the mix, too. Just because it seems the thing to do. : ) Blind faith has absolutely nothing to do with pointing out a ridiculous comparison between Hitler and Bush. I disagree with Bush on a good many things, but inane accusations do nothing but show complete ignorance of actual history. Throwing out "Nazi" and "Hitler" at every opportunity has only one goal: to subjugate reason by playing on fear. Have you heard of "argumentum ad nazium?" Quite relevant in these discussions. And weapons were taken away in a period of complete anarchy? I may or may not agree with the outcome, but there are those who wish for this to be the norm across all America at all times and it does not appear to be GW. To stretch for the ridiculous analogy of the Fatherland is a fear tactic. Infinitely more dangerous because it shuts down all reason and creates an irrational fear.

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