Americans have a severe disease - worse than AIDS. It's called the winner's complex.
Interpretation
The quote criticizes an obsession with winning that can have negative consequences.
Mikhail Gorbachev's statement highlights a societal issue in America where the relentless pursuit of winning—often termed the 'winner's complex'—can lead to detrimental effects on individuals and society as a whole. This mindset prioritizes success above all else, potentially fostering selfishness, arrogance, and a lack of empathy, which can be more harmful than physical diseases like AIDS.
In practice
In a speech addressing corporate culture, one could use this quote to discuss the dangers of cutthroat competition.
Gentlemen, comrades, do not be concerned about all you hear about Glasnost and Perestroika and democracy in the coming years. They are primarily for outward consumption. There will be no significant internal changes in the Soviet Union, other than for cosmetic purposes. Our purpose is to disarm the Americans and let them fall asleep.
The soviet people want full-blooded and unconditional democracy.
To me, nature is sacred. Trees are my temples and forests are my cathedrals.
New approaches are needed, new orientations in both thought and action. We must make the transition to a new civilization...We are talking of a transition toward a new civilization. No one knows what it will be like. What is important is to orient in that direction... I am convinced that a new civilization will inevitably take on certain features that are characteristic of, or inherent in, the socialist ideal.
According to Lenin, socialism and democracy are indivisible.... The essence of perestroika lies in the fact that it unites socialism with democracy and revives the Leninist concept of socialist construction both in theory and in practice. We want more socialism and, therefore, more democracy.
Democracy is the wholesome and pure air without which a socialist public organization cannot live a full-blooded life.
It doesn't sound too good to say I am the son of a landowner, so let us rather say I am the grandson of exploited Galician peasants.
I think it is a great error to consider a heavy tax on wines as a tax on luxury. On the contrary, it is a tax on the health of our citizens.
Take notice not only of the mercies of God, but of God in the mercies. Mercies are never so savoury as when they savour a Saviour.
The future is always a wholeness, a sameness. We're all tall and happy there,' she said. 'This is why the future fails. It always fails. It can never be the cruel happy place we want to make it.
I have a fork and a spoon, but never a knife… as if I’m lacking manual skills or teeth. I have both, however. That’s why I’m not allowed a knife.
We are built to live in the kingdom of God. It is our natural habitat.
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