To get people to do needed things is the perennial hard task of government, not to mention of religion and philosophy.
Interpretation
Effective leadership requires persuading people to take action, which is a constant challenge in governance, religion, and philosophy.
This quote by Gore Vidal highlights the fundamental difficulty leaders face across various fields, whether in government, religion, or philosophy, in motivating individuals to engage in necessary activities. It suggests that leadership is not just about making decisions but also about inspiring collective action and overcoming resistance to change or responsibility.
In practice
This quote can be used in a speech about the responsibilities of leaders in society.
We must declare ourselves, become known; allow the world to discover this subterranean life of ours which connects kings and farm boys, artists and clerks. Let them see that the important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.
American writers want to be not good but great; and so are neither.
Writing fiction has become a priestly business in countries that have lost their faith.
The important thing is not the object of love, but the emotion itself.
For the average American, freedom of speech is simply the freedom to repeat what everyone else is saying and no more.
Ayn Rand's 'philosophy' is nearly perfect in its immorality, which makes the size of her audience all the more ominous and symptomatic as we enter a curious new phase in our society.... To justify and extol human greed and egotism is to my mind not only immoral, but evil.
A really great person is the person who makes every person feel great.
I repeat what I always say: I want the best for Argentina in every way. I never try to make trouble for anybody.
I talked to the players and tried to make them aware of what was good and bad, but I didn't try to run their lives.
If we reduce the number of employees for better short-term financial results, employee morale will decrease. I sincerely doubt employees who fear that they may be laid off will be able to develop software titles that could impress people around the world.
In effective personal leadership, visualization and affirmation techniques emerge naturally out of a foundation of well thought through purposes and principles that become the center of a person's life.
A real leader is not the top dog who merely shouts down orders. a leader is one who holds the space for the brilliance of others.
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