One of the little-celebrated powers of Presidents (and other high government officials) is to listen to their critics with just enough sympathy to ensure their silence.
John Kenneth GalbraithRead
The sense of responsibility in the financial community for the community as a whole is not small. It is nearly nil.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects the perceived lack of accountability within the financial sector towards societal welfare.
John Kenneth Galbraith criticizes the financial community's minimal sense of responsibility towards the broader community. He emphasizes that the focus on profit often overshadows the importance of contributing to societal well-being, suggesting a disconnect between financial interests and social responsibilities.
Themes
ResponsibilityFinanceCommunityAccountabilityProfit
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about corporate ethics, one might reference this quote to illustrate the need for accountability in business practices.
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People of privilege will always risk their complete destruction rather than surrender any material part of their advantage.
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