Love consists in leaving the loved one space to be themselves while providing the security within which that self may flourish.
Tony JudtRead
Social democrats are characteristically modest - a political quality whose virtues are overestimated. We need to apologise a little less for our shortcomings and speak more assertively of achievements. That these were always incomplete should not trouble us.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the need for social democrats to take pride in their accomplishments rather than overly focusing on their shortcomings.
Tony Judt suggests that social democrats have a tendency to be modest about their achievements and to dwell on their imperfections. He argues that this modesty can be counterproductive, and instead, they should recognize and assert their successes, even if those successes are not perfect or complete. The idea is that acknowledging accomplishments can inspire confidence and momentum in their political efforts.
Themes
PoliticsAchievementsModestyAssertivenessSocial Democracy
In practice
Example use cases
In a political rally, to encourage party members to celebrate their past wins rather than dwell on what has not yet been achieved.
More from Tony Judt
All quotes →If active or concerned citizens forfeit politics, they thereby abandon their society to its most mediocre and venal public servants
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Obviously a primary liberal conviction is that we should be tolerant of other peoples' convictions. But if we believe in something, we had better find ways to say so convincingly.
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Social democracy does not represent an ideal future; it does not even represent the ideal past.
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What I am against is false optimism: the notion either that things have to go well, or else that they tend to, or else that the default condition of historical trajectories is characteristically beneficial in the long-run.
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I'm not sure I've learned anything new about life; but I've had to think harder about death and what comes after for other people.
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