If freedom makes social progress possible, so social progress strengthens and enlarges freedom. The two are inseparable partners in the great adventure of humanity.
Robert KennedyRead
Where aspirations outstrip opportunities, law-abiding society becomes the victim. Attitudes of contempt toward the law are forged in this crucible and form the inner core of the beliefs of organized adult crime.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the danger of unfulfilled aspirations leading to a disregard for the law, which can foster criminal behavior.
Robert Kennedy's quote discusses the consequences when people's dreams and aspirations exceed the available opportunities. In such scenarios, frustration can build up, leading to a sense of contempt for the law and ultimately contributing to the development of organized crime. The implicit message suggests that societal structures must provide adequate opportunities to prevent such outcomes and maintain lawful behavior.
Themes
AspirationsOpportunitiesLawCrimeSocietyContempt
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about social justice, this quote could be used to illustrate the need for equal opportunities.
More from Robert Kennedy
All quotes →Elections remind us not only of the rights but the responsibilities of citizenship in a democracy.
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Within the United States, we have put great emphasis upon political freedoms. Because it has been our experience that these freedoms can lead to others.
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It is one thing to open job opportunities. It is another to train people to fill them, or to persuade American enterprise to seek Negro as well as white applicants.
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Our attitude towards immigration reflects our faith in the American ideal. We have always believed it possible for men and women who start at the bottom to rise as far as the talent and energy allow. Neither race nor place of birth should affect their chances.
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The Gross National Product measures neither our wit nor our courage, neither our wisdom nor our learning, neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country. It measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile, and it can tell us everything about America - except whether we are proud to be Americans.
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