We create institutions and policies on the basis of the way we make assumptions about us and others. We accept the fact that we will always have poor people around us. So we have had poor people around us. If we had believed that poverty is unacceptable to us, and that it should not belong to a civilized society, we would have created appropriate institutions and policies to create a poverty-free world.
Interpretation
Our beliefs shape our institutions and policies, influencing the persistence of poverty in society.
This quote by Muhammad Yunus emphasizes the powerful role that our assumptions and beliefs play in shaping societal structures and policies. If we view poverty as an acceptable state of being, we are likely to create systems that perpetuate it. Conversely, if we believe that poverty is an issue to be eradicated, we will develop institutions and policies aimed at achieving a poverty-free world. This highlights the importance of reevaluating our beliefs and the collective responsibility we hold to create a more just society.
In practice
In a speech addressing social issues, this quote could underline the importance of changing perspectives on poverty.
Civilization has given us enormous successes: going to the moon, technology. But then this is the civilisation that took us to debt, environmental crisis, every single crisis. We need a civilization where we say goodbye to these things.
What I did not know yet about hunger, but would find out over the next twenty-one years, was that brilliant theorists of economics do not find it worthwhile to spend time discussing issues of poverty and hunger. They believe that these will be resolved when general economic prosperity increases. These economists spend all their talents detailing the process of development and prosperity, but rarely reflect on the origin and development of poverty and hunger. A a result, poverty continues.
People.. were poor not because they were stupid or lazy. They worked all day long, doing complex physical tasks. They were poor because the financial institution in the country did not help them widen their economic base.
Some people think that poor people are lazy. Actually, it takes a lot of work to survive when you are dirt-poor.
Once poverty is gone, we'll need to build museums to display its horrors to future generations. They'll wonder why poverty continued so long in human society - how a few people could live in luxury while billions dwelt in misery, deprivation and despair.
By simply capitalizing on core strengths and knowledge, companies and entrepreneurs can engage in an emerging business model that will enable them to create - and demonstrate - real, sustainable social impact in society.
We have bigger things to brood on and enormous reasons for wallowing in terminal craziness until we finally hit bottom.
Where there is nothing, there is God.
When my father was born, it was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire. When I was born, it was Lithuania. When I left, it was Hungary. It is difficult to say where I come from.
Ive seen the meanness of humans till I dont know why God aint put out the sun and gone away.
Europe will never be like America. Europe is a product of history. America is a product of philosophy.
If I had a brother who had been murdered, what would you think of me if I...daily consorted with the assassin who drove the dagger into my brother's heart; surely I too must be an accomplice in the crime. Sin murdered Christ; will you be a friend to it? Sin pierced the heart of the Incarnate God; can you love it?
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