Much of our American progress has been the product of the individual who had an idea; pursued it; fashioned it; tenaciously clung to it against all odds; and then produced it, sold it, and profited from it.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of individual initiative and perseverance in achieving progress.
Hubert H. Humphrey highlights that the advancement of American society is largely due to the relentless efforts of individuals who have the vision to create something new and the determination to see it through, regardless of the challenges they face. This underscores the value of creativity, hard work, and resilience in the pursuit of success.
In practice
In a motivational speech about entrepreneurship, this quote can inspire aspiring business owners.
It was once said that the moral test of government is how that government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.
We need an America with the wisdom of experience. But we must not let America grow old in spirit.
You cannot go around and keep score. If you keep score on the good things and the bad things, you'll find out that you're a very miserable person. God gave man the ability to forget, which is one of the greatest attributes you have. Because if you remember everything that's happened to you, you generally remember that which is the most unfortunate.
Here we are the way politics ought to be in America; the politics of happiness, the politics of purpose and the politics of joy.
The pursuit of peace resembles the building of a great cathedral. It is the work of a generation. In concept it requires a mater-architect; in execution, the labors of many.
The President is the peoples lobbyist.
When a man tells you that he got rich through hard work, ask him: 'Whose?'
It never entered my father's mind nor my mind ever to do a job other than at one's best ability.
Do not measure success by today's harvest. Measure success by the seeds you plant today.
Fame usually comes to those who are thinking about something else - very rarely to those who say to themselves, 'Go to, now, let us be a celebrated individual!'.
My whole career strategy has been to build a base so that I could take the roles I want to play. I'd hate to think that a shorter part might not be available because I was worried about my billing.
Most people who go into business for themselves and, therefore, believe they are entrepreneurs, are doomed to struggle because they don't have a true Entrepreneurial Perspective. They have a Technician's Perspective.
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