Life is a near-death experience.
George CarlinRead
The highly motivated people in society are the ones causing all the trouble. It's not the lazy unmotivated folks sitting in front of a TV eating potato chips who bother anyone.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Motivated individuals often stir up controversy, while the unmotivated tend to be passive.
In this quote, George Carlin humorously highlights the paradox that it is often the highly motivated people who create conflicts and challenges in society, rather than those who are perceived to be inactive or disengaged. Carlin's comment serves to provoke thought about the nature of ambition and its often disruptive consequences, suggesting that action and motivation can lead to trouble just as much as inaction and apathy.
Themes
MotivationTroubleSocietyAmbitionApathy
In practice
Example use cases
During a discussion on societal issues, one could quote Carlin to emphasize the irony of ambitious individuals bringing about change that may not always be positive.
More from George Carlin
All quotes →Here’s a bumper sticker I’d like to see: “We are the proud parents of a child who’s self-esteem is sufficient that he doesn’t need us promoting his minor scholastic achievements on the back of our car."
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This is a lttle prayer dedicated to the separation of church and state. I guess if they are going to force those kids to pray in schools they might as well have a nice prayer like this: Our Father who art in heaven, and to the republic for which it stands, thy kingdom come, one nation indivisible as in heaven, give us this day as we forgive those who so proudly we hail. Crown thy good into temptation but deliver us from the twilight's last gleaming. Amen and Awomen.
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Some people try to get out of jury duty by lying. You don't have to lie. Tell the judge the truth. Tell him you'd make a terrific juror because you can spot guilty people.
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Intelligence tests are biased toward the literate.
George CarlinRead
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