You need people who have their own views, whose views you respect, whom you can have a productive disagreement with, and work out ideas which you might not have come up with, or who improve on ideas you had.
Lee Hsien LoongRead
If we did not have a sense of who we were, how we got here, why we want to achieve something - which, on the face of it, on the logic of it, is probably not worth trying - and prove that logic wrong, then you wouldn't succeed; then you would just evaporate.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Understanding our identity and motivations is crucial for success.
In this quote, Lee Hsien Loong emphasizes the importance of self-identity and the reasons behind our pursuits. Without a clear sense of who we are and what drives us, attempts to achieve goals may feel futile, leading to a lack of motivation and eventual failure. Conversely, recognizing these elements can empower us to defy the odds and attain success, illustrating that understanding oneself is foundational to overcoming obstacles and achieving greatness.
Themes
IdentityMotivationSuccessSelf-Awareness
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational speech to students about pursuing their dreams.
More from Lee Hsien Loong
All quotes →Just as our forefathers saved and invested to build what we, the current generation, are enjoying today, so, too, we must plant trees so that our sons and daughters, and their sons and daughters, can enjoy the shade.
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When people say they don't want a nanny state, they are, in fact, in a conflicted state of mind. On the one hand, they want to do whatever they want and not be stopped. On the other hand, if something goes wrong, they want to be rescued.
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You need to have good people: honourable, capable, committed in politics, standing in public office. It's not a guarantee, but it's the ideal we have to aim for.
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No government prospers by saying, 'I don't need to do anything. Just by being there, we have made the country thrive.'
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