Journalism still, in a democracy, is the essential force to get the public educated and mobilized to take action on behalf of our ancient ideals.
Doris Kearns GoodwinRead
I am a historian. With the exception of being a wife and mother, it is who I am. And there is nothing I take more seriously.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of identity and dedication to one's profession and roles in life.
Doris Kearns Goodwin expresses the significance of her identity as a historian, highlighting that aside from her roles as a wife and mother, being a historian is of utmost importance to her. This reflection not only underscores the value she places on her work but also illustrates how intertwined professional and personal identities can be, suggesting that the roles we assume shape how we see ourselves and our contributions to the world.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech about the importance of balancing personal and professional identities.
Journalism still, in a democracy, is the essential force to get the public educated and mobilized to take action on behalf of our ancient ideals.
We've got to figure out a way that we give a private sphere for our public leaders. We're not gonna get the best people in public life if we don't do that.
Once a president gets to the White House, the only audience that is left that really matters is history.
That is what leadership is all about: staking your ground ahead of where opinion is and convincing people, not simply following the popular opinion of the moment.
Obama does seem to have what both FDR and Lincoln had, which is the recognition that you have to hold back at times and then wait to come forward.
Those who knew Lincoln described him as an extraordinarily funny man. Humor was an essential aspect of his temperament. He laughed, he explained, so he did not weep.
A man's college and university degrees mean nothing to me until I see what he is able to do with them.
It's important to read a book, but also to hold the book, to smell the book... it's perfume, it's incense, it's the dust of Egypt.
When passions and appetites are stronger than the intellect, men are savages; when the intellect governs the passions, when the passions are servants, men are civilized. The people need education - facts - philosophy.
Don't be afraid to take time to learn. It's good to work for other people. I worked for others for 20 years. They paid me to learn.
When I was in New York after I left the Army, I studied for two years at the American Theater Wing, studied acting, which involved dance and fencing and speech classes and history of theater, all that.
Let ignorance talk as it will, learning has its value.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.