Little minds are tamed and subdued by misfortune; but great minds rise above them.

Source: Irving, Washington. The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. USA: C. S. Van Winkle, 1819-1820. Print. Additional Information: This Washington Irving quote is from the author's essay collection The Sketch Book of Geoffrey Crayon, Gent. published serially between 1819 and 1820 under the pseudonym Geoffrey Crayon. The Sketch Book was one of the first widely read pieces of American literature in Great Britain and Europe. The quote is from the essay "Philip of Pokanoket: An Indian Memoir" and concerns the main character Philip, who is highly averse to the idea of submission. The meaning of the quote is that unimaginative, small-minded people are discouraged and give up when bad things happen to them, but intelligent, courageous individuals are able to overcome any setback and will not be held back by unfortunate circumstances.