American politics used to be an amateur sport. But somewhere along the way, we handed over to professionals all the things people used to do for free.
Bob SchiefferRead
I've had a lot of fun, and when I talk to kids in journalism schools, I say, look, I know what the journalism teachers tell you that this is a great way to perform public service and all that, but I say the main reason, if you decide what you want to do is be a reporter, the main reason you want to do it is because it's just so much fun.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The joy of journalism should be the primary motivation for those who choose to be reporters.
Bob Schieffer emphasizes that while journalism can be seen as a noble profession serving the public, the core reason to pursue it should be the enjoyment it brings. He suggests that passion and fun in reporting are essential driving forces that make the work fulfilling.
Themes
JournalismFunPassionEducationReportingCareer
In practice
Example use cases
During a guest lecture at a school of journalism, I might share this quote to inspire students.
More from Bob Schieffer
All quotes →The Iraq war was fought by one-half of one percent of us. And unless we were part of that small group or had a relative who was, we went about our lives as usual most of the time: no draft, no new taxes, no changes. Not so for the small group who fought the war and their families.
Bob SchiefferRead
Similar quotes
While we pay lip service to the virtues of reading, the truth is that there is still in our culture something that suspects those who read too much, whatever reading too much means, of being lazy, aimless dreamers, people who need to grow up and come outside to where real life is, who think themselves superior in their separateness.
Anna QuindlenRead
Obviously, Jay-Z is one of the greatest entertainers of the world today. Not only is he a remarkable rhetorical genius, he's also a man of deep sympathy and empathy for those who are lost and vulnerable, but especially under-educated youth of all cultures and stripes.
Michael Eric DysonRead
It is essential to rear a generation at the very top of society that has all the qualities needed to lead and give the people the inspiration and the drive to make it succeed. In short, the elite.. Every society tries to produce this type. The British have special schools for them: the gifted and talented are sent to Eton and Harrow.
Lee Kuan YewRead
Had I the power, I would scatter libraries over the whole land as the sower sows his wheatfield.
Horace MannRead
The foundations of any subject may be taught to anybody at any age in some form.
Jerome BrunerRead
If a nation allows its literary culture to die, it's a sign that it doesn't fundamentally care.
Philip PullmanRead