I still do not understand how a corporation can have person-hood if it has no soul and never dies.
Jon StewartRead
Don't censor yourself to comfort their ignorance.
Interpretation
Stay true to your beliefs instead of adapting to others' lack of understanding.
This quote by Jon Stewart emphasizes the importance of self-expression and authenticity. It suggests that one should not suppress their thoughts or beliefs simply to appease those who may not understand or accept them. The underlying message is about valuing oneβs voice and perspective, even when it challenges the ignorance of others. By encouraging individuals to speak their truth, the quote champions personal integrity over social conformity.
In practice
During a panel discussion on free speech.
I still do not understand how a corporation can have person-hood if it has no soul and never dies.
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.
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.
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.
If you don't stick to your values when they're being tested, they're not values: they're hobbies.
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]
Clarity is the most important thing. I can compare clarity to pruning in gardening. You know, you need to be clear. If you are not clear, nothing is going to happen. You have to be clear. Then you have to be confident about your vision. And after that, you just have to put a lot of work in.
If you can't get rid of the skeleton in your closet, you'd best teach it to dance.
Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
Sometimes there is a wellspring or river of something beautiful and possible in the tenderest sense that comes to and from the most broken of children, and I was one of these, and whatever is was, I can't name, I can only thank. Perhaps it is the water of life that saves us, after all.
People intoxicate themselves with work so they won't see how they really are.
Today's headlines and history's judgment are rarely the same. If you are too attentive to the former, you will most certainly not do the hard work of securing the latter.
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