The Dell Theory of Conflict Prevention argues that no two countries that are both part of the same global supply chain will ever fight a war as long as they are each part of that supply chain.
Thomas FriedmanRead
When I was growing up, my parents told me, 'Finish your dinner. People in China and India are starving.' I tell my daughters, 'Finish your homework. People in India and China are starving for your job.'
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of education and hard work by comparing the effort needed to succeed to the struggles faced by those in developing countries.
Thomas Friedman highlights the shift in perspective from a childhood lesson about appreciating food to a vital lesson about the importance of education and readiness in a competitive job market. By referencing starvation in India and China, he illustrates the seriousness of taking advantage of one's educational opportunities, suggesting that diligence is crucial in a global marketplace where many are vying for limited opportunities.
Themes
EducationHard WorkOpportunityJobsGlobalization
In practice
Example use cases
In a graduation speech to inspire students to keep learning and growing.
More from Thomas Friedman
All quotes →When it comes to dealing with the world's climate and energy challenges, I have a simple rule: change America, change the world.
Thomas FriedmanRead
The hidden hand of the market will never work without a hidden fist -- McDonald's cannot flourish without McDonnell Douglas, the builder of the F-15. And the hidden fist that keeps the world safe for Silicon Valley's technologies is called the United States Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps.
Thomas FriedmanRead
Do you know what my favorite renewable fuel is? An ecosystem for innovation.
Thomas FriedmanRead
If you don't visit the bad neighborhoods, the bad neighborhoods are going to visit you.
Thomas FriedmanRead
Inspiring conduct has so much more of an impact than coercing it.
Thomas FriedmanRead
Similar quotes
Why are fanatics so terrified of girls' education? Because there's no force more powerful to transform a society. The greatest threat to extremism isn't drones firing missiles, but girls reading books.
Nicholas KristofRead
Oddly enough, my favorite genre is not fiction. I'm attracted by primary sources that are relevant to historical questions of interest to me, by famous old books on philosophy or theology that I want to see with my own eyes, by essays on contemporary science, by the literatures of antiquity.
Marilynne RobinsonRead
I keep six honest serving men (they taught me all i knew); Theirs names are What and Why and When And How And Where and Who.
Rudyard KiplingRead
Your example, even more than your words, will be an eloquent lesson to the world.
Madeleine Sophie BaratRead
Going back to my film education, I always have that voice in my head that's always screaming, 'Sell out!' And that's good: you want that, because it keeps you on your toes, and it's important to remember what's actually important.
Damien ChazelleRead
We have a large public that is very ignorant about public affairs and very susceptible to simplistic slogans by candidates who appear out of nowhere, have no track record, but mouth appealing slogans
Zbigniew BrzezinskiRead