QuoteProject
When you are actually powerful, you don't need to be petty.
Jon Stewart
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

True power is characterized by humility and restraint, rather than pettiness or vindictiveness.

This quote by Jon Stewart highlights the idea that genuine strength comes from a place of confidence and self-assurance. Those who are truly powerful do not feel the need to engage in petty or vindictive actions; instead, they can afford to act with dignity and grace because they understand their own capabilities and worth.

Themes

PowerHumilityStrengthPettinessConfidence

In practice

Example use cases

During a leadership seminar to emphasize the importance of humility in power.

More from Jon Stewart

I still do not understand how a corporation can have person-hood if it has no soul and never dies.
Jon StewartRead
President Bush announced his new economic plan. The centerpiece was a proposed repeal of the dividend tax on stocks, a boon that could be worth millions of dollars to average Americans. Well, average stock-owning Americans. Technically, Americans who own a significant amount of shares in dividend-dealing companies. Well, rich people, that's what I'm trying to say. They're going to do really well with this.
Jon StewartRead
Wait a minute! Wait a minute! I figured this out. I know what's wrong with what we've done in Iraq. We've been following time as it goes forward. What a classic mistake. Linear time is so pre-9-11.
Jon StewartRead
You just have to keep trying to do good work, and hope that it leads to more good work. I want to look back on my career and be proud of the work, and be proud that I tried everything. Yes, I want to look back and know that I was terrible at a variety of things.
Jon StewartRead
If you don't stick to your values when they're being tested, they're not values: they're hobbies.
Jon StewartRead
Thomas Jefferson once said: 'Of course the people don't want war. But the people can be brought to the bidding of their leader. All you have to do is tell them they're being attacked and denounce the pacifists for somehow a lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in any country.' I think that was Jefferson. Oh wait. That was Hermann Goering. Shoot." [Hosting the Peabody Awards for broadcasting excellence at the New York Waldorf-Astoria, June 6, 2006]
Jon StewartRead

Similar quotes

They that apply themselves to trifling matters commonly become incapable of great ones.
Francois De La RochefoucauldRead
He who cannot rest, cannot work; he who cannot let go, cannot hold on; he who cannot find footing, cannot go forward.
Harry Emerson FosdickRead
Everything that you do under compulsion goes to build up attachment.
Swami VivekanandaRead
Those who are serious in ridiculous matters will be ridiculous in serious matters.
Cato The ElderRead
If you want people to think out of the box, you shouldn't create the box in the first place.
Martin CooperRead
An active mind cannot exist in an inactive body.
George S. PattonRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.

Quote by Jon Stewart | QuoteProject