I don't make jokes. I just watch the government and report the facts.
Will RogersRead
The fellow that can only see a week ahead is always the popular fellow, for he is looking with the crowd. But the one that can see years ahead, he has a telescope but he can't make anybody believe that he has it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Popularity often favors those with short-term vision, while true insight is undervalued.
Will Rogers highlights the contrast between short-term and long-term thinking. The quote suggests that individuals who focus only on immediate concerns often gain popularity, as they align with the views of the majority. In contrast, those who possess foresight and are capable of seeing beyond the present may be misunderstood and unappreciated, despite their valuable perspective.
Themes
WisdomVisionPopularForesightInsight
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech about leadership, one might use this quote to emphasize the importance of long-term vision.
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Why don't they pass a constitutional amendment prohibiting anybody from learning anything? If it works as well as prohibition did, in five years Americans would be the smartest race of people on Earth.
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The 1928 Republican Convention opened with a prayer. If the Lord can see His way clear to bless the Republican Party the way it's been carrying on, then the rest of us ought to get it without even asking.
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Let advertisers spend the same amount of money improving their product that they do on advertising and they wouldn't have to advertise it.
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The man with the best job in the country is the vice-president. All he has to do is get up every morning and say, 'How is the president?'
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