A man may be a tough, concentrated, successful moneymaker…
“A man may be a tough, concentrated, successful moneymaker and never contribute to his country anything more than a horrible example. A manager may be tough and practical, squeezing out, while the going is good, the last ounce of profit and dividend, and may leave behind him an exhausted industry and a legacy of industrial hatred. A tough manager may never look outside his own factory walls or be conscious of his partnership in a wider world. I often wonder what strange cud such men sit chewing when their working days are over, and the accumulating riches of the mind have eluded them.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Powerful managers can be successful yet socially harmful, focusing only on profit and neglecting broader responsibility.
In simple terms: Success without social conscience harms society.
Key Takeaway
Balance profit with social impact.
Themes
leadership
ethics
social responsibility
Mood
critical
thoughtful
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- board meetings
- policy making
- community engagement
Key Concepts
industrial relations
corporate governance
Questions to Reflect On
- What responsibilities do leaders have beyond shareholders?
- How can profit and purpose coexist?
A Different Perspective
Profit focus can ignore human costs.