The flame that burns twice as bright burns half as long. — Lao Tzu
Because a thing seems difficult to you, do not think it is impossible for anyone to accomplish. — Marcus Aurelius
At first, I didn't see a connection between these two quotes. However, I think there may be one, although it's somewhat tenuous.
The Taoist quote seems true at first glance. All things being equal, you will consume more resources to generate more energy, but you use up your resources that much faster. Of course, all things are never equal.
Camping on a cold night, I can make the fire burn hotter by blowing on it, at the cost of consuming wood faster. If I don't have enough wood, I'll be frozen by morning, but I'll be warmer for a short while. The alternative is to be somewhat colder all night.
If I had better fuel, better wood perhaps, I could have a hot fire and it could last the night. That means I have to do something - go out in the dark and fetch some hard wood. This is what I think the Marcus Aurelius quote is about. Marcus Aurelius was a Roman emperor, one of what Gibbons called the last of the good emperors. Marcus spent much of his reign fighting Germanic tribes on the frontiers. I can imagine the generals coming to Marcus and saying "It will be difficult for the Germans to breach our defenses." Marcus replies, "You think it difficult, but the Germans may persevere. Difficult is not impossible. Think about how to make what is difficult for them impossible for them"
In both cases, if you consider the situation static, you face the limits of your current resources. The situation is seldom static and captured by a simple phrase. The Stoics say that you can only control your thoughts and your actions. Our thoughts allow us to see alternate paths, our actions can move us along those paths.
The final word comes from Edna St. Vincent Millay
"My candle burns at both ends I
t will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends -
It gives a lovely light."
Edna St. Vincent Millay - First Fig
- Bill