“Small projects need much more help than great.”
- c. 1265 – September 14, 1321
- Italian
- Poet, Writer, Philosopher, Author of The Divine Comedy
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Quote
“Small projects need much more help than great.”
Explanation
This quote is commonly attributed to Dante Alighieri, but there is no known source in his authentic writings that contains this exact phrasing or clear equivalent. It does not appear in The Divine Comedy, Convivio, or De Monarchia, nor does it reflect the tone or philosophical structure typical of Dante’s 14th-century style. The language used—particularly the modern, utilitarian phrasing—suggests it is a fabrication or modern paraphrase, possibly inspired by general Renaissance or humanist sentiments.
Dante did explore themes of ambition, support, and the hierarchy of human endeavor, particularly in De Monarchia, where he discussed the structure and needs of governance and human society. However, his works do not include a principle that small projects require more help than large ones stated in this manner. It may be interpreted as a modern maxim about the fragility of new or minor efforts, but it should not be credited to Dante without textual evidence.
Because this quote cannot be reliably traced to Dante, an explanation grounded in his authority would be misleading. While the sentiment—that small endeavors often require more support, attention, or collaboration to succeed—is valid in its own right, it should be understood as a modern aphorism inspired by broader experience, not the words of Dante himself.
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