QuoteProject
Few can believe that suffering, especially by others, is in vain. Anything that is disagreeable must surely have beneficial economic effects.
John Kenneth Galbraith
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote suggests that suffering often leads to positive outcomes, particularly in economic contexts.

John Kenneth Galbraith reflects on the idea that suffering, especially that endured by others, typically serves a purpose, and is unlikely to occur without some form of beneficial outcome. He implies that even the most unpleasant experiences can have underlying advantages, particularly in the realm of economics, challenging the belief that all suffering is pointless.

Themes

SufferingBenefitEconomicsAdvantagePain

In practice

Example use cases

This quote can be used in discussions about the importance of hardship in growth during a motivational speech.

More from John Kenneth Galbraith

One of the little-celebrated powers of Presidents (and other high government officials) is to listen to their critics with just enough sympathy to ensure their silence.
John Kenneth GalbraithRead
If all else fails, immortality can always be assured by spectacular error.
John Kenneth GalbraithRead
The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.
John Kenneth GalbraithRead
All successful revolutions are the kicking in of a rotten door.
John Kenneth GalbraithRead
Money differs from an automobile or mistress in being equally important to those who have it and those who do not.
John Kenneth GalbraithRead
People of privilege will always risk their complete destruction rather than surrender any material part of their advantage.
John Kenneth GalbraithRead

Similar quotes

It is true that we are called to create a better world. But we are first of all called to a more immediate and exalted task: that of creating our own lives.
Thomas MertonRead
The urge to revolt is one of the essential dimensions of human nature.
Albert CamusRead
I'm not stupid enough to think that I can deal with another 10 or 15 years of major exposure. I think that is the ultimate tragedy of fame... People who are simply out of control, who are lost. I've seen so many of them, and I don't want to be another cliche.
George MichaelRead
There are sacraments of evil as well as of good about us, and we live and move to my belief in an unknown world, a place where there are caves and shadows and dwellers in twilight. It is possible that man may sometimes return on the track of evolution, and it is my belief that an awful lore is not yet dead.
Arthur MachenRead
I know [Umbridge] by reputation and I'm sure she's no Death Eater-" "She's foul enough to be one..." "Yes, but the world isn't split into good people and Death Eaters.
J. K. RowlingRead
One wants to tell a story, like Scheherezade, in order not to die. It's one of the oldest urges in mankind. It's a way of stalling death.
Carlos FuentesRead

A little wisdom, now and then

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