Civilization has given us enormous successes: going to the moon, technology. But then this is the civilisation that took us to debt, environmental crisis, every single crisis. We need a civilization where we say goodbye to these things.
I went to the bank and proposed that they lend money to the poor people. The bankers almost fell over.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the unexpected challenge of proposing financial support for the poor to traditional banking institutions.
Muhammad Yunus, known for his work in microfinance, reflects on the skepticism he faced when suggesting that banks could lend to impoverished individuals. This statement underscores the prevailing belief within the banking sector that low-income individuals are not viable borrowers, thus revealing the disconnect between financial institutions and underserved populations. Yunus's proposal indicates a need for innovative approaches to finance that prioritize social impact over conventional profit-driven motives.
Themes
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about social entrepreneurship, this quote can illustrate the importance of innovative financing for marginalized communities.
More from Muhammad Yunus
All quotes βWhat I did not know yet about hunger, but would find out over the next twenty-one years, was that brilliant theorists of economics do not find it worthwhile to spend time discussing issues of poverty and hunger. They believe that these will be resolved when general economic prosperity increases. These economists spend all their talents detailing the process of development and prosperity, but rarely reflect on the origin and development of poverty and hunger. A a result, poverty continues.
People.. were poor not because they were stupid or lazy. They worked all day long, doing complex physical tasks. They were poor because the financial institution in the country did not help them widen their economic base.
Some people think that poor people are lazy. Actually, it takes a lot of work to survive when you are dirt-poor.
Once poverty is gone, we'll need to build museums to display its horrors to future generations. They'll wonder why poverty continued so long in human society - how a few people could live in luxury while billions dwelt in misery, deprivation and despair.
By simply capitalizing on core strengths and knowledge, companies and entrepreneurs can engage in an emerging business model that will enable them to create - and demonstrate - real, sustainable social impact in society.
Similar quotes
The trouble with the profit system has always been that it was highly unprofitable to most people.
The need of a constantly expanding market for its products chases the bourgeoisie over the entire surface of the globe.
The 'boom-bust' cycle is generated by monetary intervention in the market, specifically bank credit expansion to business.
I am in favor of high wages and agree that the higher the wages, the stronger the evidence of prosperity, provided (and that is the important point) they are so naturally, by the effectiveness of industry, and not in consequence of an inflated currency or any artificial regulation.
This power becomes particularly irresistible when exercised by those who, because they hold and control money, are able also to govern credit and determine its allotment, for that reason supplying, so to speak, the lifeblood to the entire economic body, and grasping, as it were, in their hands the very soul of production, so that no one dare breathe against their will.
Poorly paid labor is inefficient labor, the world over.