If freedom makes social progress possible, so social progress strengthens and enlarges freedom. The two are inseparable partners in the great adventure of humanity.
Robert KennedyRead
People say I am ruthless. I am not ruthless. And if I find the man who is calling me ruthless, I shall destroy him.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote highlights the misunderstood perception of ruthlessness and addresses the consequences of labeling someone unfairly.
Robert Kennedy's quote reflects a common misinterpretation of strong leadership as ruthlessness. He defends himself against this label, emphasizing that what may be perceived as a lack of compassion is often a determination to stand firm in one's beliefs, suggesting that those who label him are themselves undermining his integrity and resolve.
Themes
RuthlessnessLeadershipIntegrityPerceptionStrength
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be shared in a leadership seminar to discuss the challenges of being misunderstood.
More from Robert Kennedy
All quotes →Elections remind us not only of the rights but the responsibilities of citizenship in a democracy.
Robert KennedyRead
Within the United States, we have put great emphasis upon political freedoms. Because it has been our experience that these freedoms can lead to others.
Robert KennedyRead
It is one thing to open job opportunities. It is another to train people to fill them, or to persuade American enterprise to seek Negro as well as white applicants.
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Our attitude towards immigration reflects our faith in the American ideal. We have always believed it possible for men and women who start at the bottom to rise as far as the talent and energy allow. Neither race nor place of birth should affect their chances.
Robert KennedyRead
The Gross National Product measures neither our wit nor our courage, neither our wisdom nor our learning, neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country. It measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile, and it can tell us everything about America - except whether we are proud to be Americans.
Robert KennedyRead
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