We have the power to do any damn fool thing we want to do, and we seem to do it about every ten minutes.
Interpretation
This quote reflects on human impulsiveness and the freedom of choice.
J. William Fulbright's quote captures the essence of human behavior, highlighting our tendency to act on whims and impulses without much consideration. It suggests that while we possess the power to make choices, we often make poor decisions hastily, underscoring a critique of our judgement and the consequences of our actions.
In practice
In a discussion about decision-making in a team meeting.
International educational exchange is the most significant current project designed to continue the process of humanizing mankind to the point, we would hope, that men can learn to live in peace-eventually even to cooperate in constructive activities rather than compete in a mindless contest of mutual destruction....We must try to expand the boundaries of human wisdom, empathy and perception, and there is no way of doing that except through education.
The price of empire is America's soul, and that price is too high.
Maturity requires a final accommodation between our aspirations and our limitations.
Finally, the Program aims, through these means, to bring a little more knowledge, a little more reason, and a little more compassion into world affairs and thereby to increase the chance that nations will learn at last to live in peace and friendship.
In a democracy, dissent is an act of faith.
The biggest lesson I learned from Vietnam is not to trust [our own] government statements.
I should like to use another word: 'audience' or 'reader' or 'listener' seems inadequate. I suggest the old word 'witness,' which includes the act of seeing and knowing by personal experience, as well as the act of giving evidence.
Too many people get credit for being good, when they are only being passive. They are too often praised for being broadminded when they are so broadminded they can never make up their minds about anything.
What I want to talk to you about today is the difference between gifts and choices. Cleverness is a gift, kindness is a choice. Gifts are easy - they’re given after all. Choices can be hard. You can seduce yourself with your gifts if you’re not careful, and if you do, it’ll probably be to the detriment of your choices.
The only help I need to live, is unprofessional. The only wealth I have to give, is not material. And if you need much more than that, I'm not available.
The joy of working at something to find out what it means to me is what I grew up with.
One should not lose one's temper unless one is certain of getting more and more angry to the end.
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