I've always argued that this country has benefited immensely from the fact that we draw people from all over the world.
Alan GreenspanRead
We really can't forecast all that well, and yet we pretend that we can, but we really can't.
Interpretation
This quote emphasizes the uncertainty of predicting the future while acknowledging our tendency to act as if we can do so.
Alan Greenspan highlights the inherent unpredictability of events and decisions in life. Despite our attempts to project future outcomes with confidence, the reality is that our ability to foresee developments is limited. This observation invites humility and caution in our projections and decisions, reminding us that uncertainty is a fundamental aspect of existence.
In practice
This quote could be used in a discussion about economic forecasting to underline its challenges.
I've always argued that this country has benefited immensely from the fact that we draw people from all over the world.
There's no other job in public life that is like chairman of the Fed.
Since 1948 I have spent every single day thinking how the economic and political worlds have changed.
Most high-income people in our country do not realize that their incomes are being subsidized by their protection from competition from highly skilled people who are prevented from immigrating to the United States. But we need such skills in order to staff our productive economy, so that the standard of living for Americans as a whole can grow.
I don't know where the stock market is going, but I will say this, that if it continues higher, this will do more to stimulate the economy than anything we've been talking about today or anything anybody else was talking about.
Every economy exists, no matter what the level of democracy, has elements of crony capitalism. It's - given human nature and given the democratic structures, which we all, I assume, adhere to, that is an inevitable consequence.
Let each hour of the day have its allotted duty, and cultivate that power of concentration which grows with its exercise.
I have been speculating last night what makes a man a discoverer of undiscovered things; and a most perplexing problem it is. Many men who are very clever - much cleverer than the discoverers - never originate anything.
Sometimes I'm more stubborn than I am smart.
First you must learn to control your self. The rest follows. Blessed is he who knows himself and commands himself, for the world is his and love and happiness and peace walk with him wherever he goes.
He has existed only, not lived, who lacks wisdom in old age.
Intelligence, guided by kindness, is the highest wisdom. . . .
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