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
In the autumn of 1929 the mightiest of Americans were, for a brief time, revealed as human beings.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote reflects on the vulnerability of even the most powerful individuals during challenging times.
John Kenneth Galbraith's quote suggests that in the face of adversity, specifically the Great Depression starting in 1929, even the most powerful figures in society were stripped of their facade of invulnerability and revealed their shared humanity. It underscores the idea that in times of crisis, everyone, regardless of their status, experiences challenges and fears, reminding us of our common condition as human beings.
Themes
AutumnHumanityPowerVulnerabilityCrisis
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about resilience during tough times, one might say, 'As Galbraith pointed out, we all become human in adversity.'
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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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