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The secret of success!

A young man asked Socrates, an ancient Greek philosopher, the secret of Success. Socrates told the young man to meet him near the river the next morning. They met.

Socrates asked the young man to walk with him toward the river.

When the water got up to their necks, Socrates took the young man by surprise and ducked him into the water. The man struggled to get out but Socrates was strong and kept him under water until he started turning blue.

The young man struggled hard and finally managed to get up. The first thing he did was to gasp and take a deep breath.

Socrates asked, “What did you want the most when you were under the water?”

The man replied “Air”.

Socrates said: “That’s the most secret to success. When you want success as badly as you want air, you will get it. There is no other secret”.

 

Reflection:

A burning desire is the starting point of all accomplishments. Just like a small fire cannot give much heat, a weak desire cannot produce great results…


More about Socrates:

Socrates is a famous ancient Greek philosopher. He was born in Athens in 469 BC and was killed (by poison) in 399 BC (about 71 years old) because the government didn’t agree with his teaching. Socrates is widely credited for laying the foundation for Western philosophy.

{ 26 comments… add one }
  • Venky February 1, 2017, 12:01 pm

    Very nice thanks for giving this

  • Kajal Singh January 20, 2017, 12:56 pm

    A true motivational story. I like the moral of the story that is there is no secret of success.If ur desire of getting success is strong u will definitely find the success.

  • Ameya October 12, 2015, 1:52 pm

    Amazing story ?

  • Soumya September 2, 2015, 3:03 pm

    Thanks

  • Dharshan September 2, 2015, 10:50 am

    Fantastic, amazing and I love it, just wow, I am inspired.

  • Varaprakasam July 7, 2014, 10:03 am

    Truly a fantastic story. It is suitable for all irrespective of age.

  • Farin May 19, 2014, 4:56 pm

    Amazing 🙂

  • Fidel March 26, 2014, 2:13 pm

    I love it. So go for succes like air .. we need to be succesful.

  • Abrham February 3, 2014, 1:13 am

    Just wow

  • Pratistha bhagat January 16, 2014, 2:22 am

    Breathtaking …. the story is one of the best lines I have listened in my life…. the last lines are like diamond or any precious stone …. now I want to become like socrates….. he’s my idol. Love the words!!!! and it’s righty described that if you want success badly as air you will get it…. I am very much inspired thnx thnx…

  • Virender November 13, 2013, 11:36 am

    These stories are changing myself (a child to complete social responsible men)… have no words…. thanx… so much…. carry.. on your great.. work…

  • Titto santana November 11, 2013, 11:53 pm

    I am inspired… for sure failing is the start of success.. so long as one doesn’t give up.

  • Arvind Hotkar November 10, 2013, 9:31 am

    A story which touch to heart and bring impact on our mind to turn towards success. The success always walk with everyone (surrounding). The person who wants success that man always walks on his right path and try to catch correct opportunity to get success in our pocket.

  • Anirban October 18, 2013, 1:11 am

    Thank you for this story I got my answer from this story.

  • Lisa August 1, 2013, 11:27 pm

    The moral of the story is not struggling for sucess at all, socrates was saying that when you want sucess as badly as u need to breath, then it will come… Simple 🙂 and what a good lesson that is if you infact interpret it correctly.

  • Chris June 19, 2013, 8:33 am

    I like the story, it inspire me…thank you.

  • Sir April 7, 2013, 3:47 am

    Socrates was the father of wisdom.

  • Anjali March 7, 2013, 1:56 pm

    Useful in every walk of life….

  • Nandu February 14, 2013, 11:40 pm

    Awesome

  • Pratap November 5, 2012, 10:13 am

    Wow very nice story…… I am very happy to read it.

  • Krishna August 10, 2012, 11:44 pm

    Very nice

  • Sylvia June 28, 2012, 9:21 am

    I love the story.. I really appreciate the moral lesson it gives..thank you!

  • Mesh June 28, 2012, 4:02 am

    It’s a very nice story.

  • Ken wa Nyabuto June 25, 2012, 4:52 am

    Out of struggle comes successs….

  • Mima June 19, 2012, 11:23 am

    Such a nice story…with a great wisdom…

    If we want something badly..we have to struggle for it…

  • Divyansh June 17, 2012, 10:00 am

    It is a very good story for students…!!! 🙂

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