“Talent develops in quiet places, character in the full current of human life ”
— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Simplified Meaning:
When you're learning or getting really good at something, you often do it in calm and quiet settings. Think about a musician who practices alone in a room, perfecting their skills without distractions. But for developing strong personal qualities like honesty, kindness, and courage, you need to be out in the world, dealing with different situations and people. For example, someone can learn to play the piano well in a quiet room, but to become a person who makes good decisions or stands up for what is right, they need to interact with others, face challenges, and experience life. This teaches them how to be a better person, because they learn how to handle different scenarios and grow from them. So, while practice helps you get better at specific talents, living life and interacting with people help you build your character.