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Aggressive and hard-charging women violate unwritten rules about acceptable social conduct. Men are continually applauded for being ambitious and powerful and successful, but women who display these same traits often pay a social penalty. Female accomplishments come at a cost.
Sheryl Sandberg
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Women face social penalties for exhibiting ambition and power, unlike men who are often celebrated for the same traits.

This quote from Sheryl Sandberg highlights the societal double standards regarding gender and ambition. While men are frequently praised for their drive and achievements, women who adopt similar behaviors may encounter backlash and social penalties, which suggests an underlying bias in how gender roles shape perceptions of ambition and success.

Themes

WomenAmbitionGenderSocial ConductSuccess

In practice

Example use cases

During a women's empowerment conference, this quote can emphasize the challenges women face in leadership roles.

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Quote by Sheryl Sandberg | QuoteProject