To get people to do needed things is the perennial hard task of government, not to mention of religion and philosophy.
Interpretation
Effective leadership requires persuading people to take action, which is a constant challenge in governance, religion, and philosophy.
This quote by Gore Vidal highlights the fundamental difficulty leaders face across various fields, whether in government, religion, or philosophy, in motivating individuals to engage in necessary activities. It suggests that leadership is not just about making decisions but also about inspiring collective action and overcoming resistance to change or responsibility.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech about the responsibilities of leaders in society.
We must declare ourselves, become known; allow the world to discover this subterranean life of ours which connects kings and farm boys, artists and clerks. Let them see that the important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.
American writers want to be not good but great; and so are neither.
Writing fiction has become a priestly business in countries that have lost their faith.
The important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.
For the average American, freedom of speech is simply the freedom to repeat what everyone else is saying and no more.
Ayn Rand's 'philosophy' is nearly perfect in its immorality, which makes the size of her audience all the more ominous and symptomatic as we enter a curious new phase in our society.... To justify and extol human greed and egotism is to my mind not only immoral, but evil.
There's really no precedent for someone like me gaining clout in the space that I'm in - a black woman directing films in Hollywood.
Leaders know the importance of having someone in their lives who will unfailingly and fearlessly tell them the truth.
A great man, tender of heart, strong of nerve, boundless patience and broadest sympathy, with no motive apart from his country.
I don't think you would have missed that putt, but in these circumstances, I would never give you the opportunity.
A major reason capable people fail to advance is that they don't work well with their colleagues.
When we're trying to decide whether a leader is a good leader or a bad one, the question to ask is: 'Is he with the Ten Commandments or is he against them?' Then you can determine if the leader is a true messiah or another Stalin.
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