The people who are absent are ...

The people who are absent are the ideal; those who are present seem to be quite commonplace.
The people who are absent are the ideal; those who are present seem to be quite commonplace.

Quotes from the same author

Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.
Just trust yourself, then you will know how to live.
The really unhappy person is the one who leaves undone what they can do, and starts doing what they don't understand; no wonder they come to grief.
What is not started today is never finished tomorrow.
A man sees in the world what he carries in his heart.