Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon ’em.
The line comes from a forged love letter. Maria writes it in imitation of her mistress’s hand to trick the steward Malvolio into believing Olivia loves him, and he reads it aloud on stage. It is a joke at the expense of a man hungry for status, which sits oddly with its use today as sincere encouragement.
All the world’s a stage, / And all the men and women merely players;
Cowards die many times before their deaths; / The valiant never taste of death but once.
Doubt thou the stars are fire; / Doubt that the sun doth move; / Doubt truth to be a liar; / But never doubt I love.
I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb.
The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it: If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.
Call to mind from whence we sprang: / Ye were not form’d to live the life of brutes / But virtue to pursue and knowledge high.