“Don't confuse honours with achievement.”
— Zadie Smith
Simplified Meaning:
Sometimes people get awards or titles and it makes them seem important or successful, but this doesn’t always mean they actually did something great. For example, think of someone who gets a fancy job title like "Manager" but doesn't really do much at work or help the team improve; they have the title, but not the true accomplishment. Another example could be a student receiving a trophy just for participating in a sports event without winning or even trying hard; the trophy is the honor, but the real achievement would be playing well and learning new skills. It's important to remember that real success often comes from hard work and making a difference, not just from getting praised or recognized. So, if you want to achieve something meaningful, focus on doing your best and reaching your goals, not just on collecting awards or titles. In your daily life, look at the efforts and results of what you do, rather than just the recognition you might get.