---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If your only objective is to be popular…"
description: "\"If your only objective is to be popular, you're going to be popular but you will be known as the Prime Minister who achieved nothing.\" — Brian Mulroney"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c7/brian-mulroney-18382_goals_if-your-only-objective-is-to-be-popular_1459080.jpg"
---

#  If your only objective is to be popular, you're going to…

![“If your only objective is to be popular, you're going to be popular but you will be known as the Prime Minister who achieved nothing.” quote by Brian Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c7/brian-mulroney-18382_goals_if-your-only-objective-is-to-be-popular_1459080.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c7/brian-mulroney-18382_goals_if-your-only-objective-is-to-be-popular_1459080.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c7/brian-mulroney-18382_goals_if-your-only-objective-is-to-be-popular_1459080.jpg)

> “If your only objective is to be popular, you're going to be popular but you will be known as the Prime Minister who achieved nothing.”

[Brian Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mulroney/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Seeking popularity as the sole goal leads to empty fame and a legacy of insignificance despite public approval.

**In simple terms:** Popularity alone yields hollow achievement.

Key Takeaway

Pursue meaningful impact over mere fame.

Themes

ambition legacy politics popularity

Mood

critical motivational strategic

Type

political leadership

When to use this quote

- career planning
- leadership
- public speaking
- media strategy

Key Concepts

ethics purpose public perception

Questions to Reflect On

- What lasting contribution matters more than fame?
- How can you balance visibility with substance?

A Different Perspective

Focusing only on popularity can compromise integrity and long‑term relevance.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Popularity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/popularity/) [Prime minister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prime-minister/)

## Related quotes

> [Originally, 'Popular' was going to be a movie.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-murphy/originally-popular-was-going-to-be-a-movie/)

[Ryan Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-murphy/)

> [The art world is never going to be popular like the NFL, but more people are buying art and I think that's cushioning, to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-gagosian/the-art-world-is-never-going-to-be-popular-like-the-nfl-but-more/)

[Larry Gagosian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-gagosian/)

> [Over a period of time it's been driven home to me that I'm not going to be the most popular writer in the world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-sondheim/over-a-period-of-time-it-s-been-driven-home-to-me-that-i-m-not-going/)

[Stephen Sondheim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-sondheim/)

> [I think everyone in high school at one point feels like they're on the outside observing what's going on. Even if you're very popular,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alden-ehrenreich/i-think-everyone-in-high-school-at-one-point-feels-like-they-re-on/)

[Alden Ehrenreich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alden-ehrenreich/)

> [If you make people think they're thinking they'll like you, but if you make people actually think, then watch out, you're not going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mat-kearney/if-you-make-people-think-they-re-thinking-they-ll-like-you-but-if-you/)

[Mat Kearney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mat-kearney/)

> [Sometimes being different is not going to be the most popular thing. But you have to be confident in you and what you know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/delisha-milton-jones/sometimes-being-different-is-not-going-to-be-the-most-popular-thing/)

[DeLisha Milton-Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/delisha-milton-jones/)

> [I never thought I was going to be popular; I never thought I was going to be famous.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cardi-b/i-never-thought-i-was-going-to-be-popular-i-never-thought-i-was-going/)

[Cardi B](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cardi-b/)

> [You can never tell what's going to be popular.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/travis-knight/you-can-never-tell-what-s-going-to-be-popular/)

[Travis Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/travis-knight/)

> [It's my responsibility, and entirely my fault, Of course I regret it. It's the kind of locker-room conversation we all use, but as prime…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mulroney/it-s-my-responsibility-and-entirely-my-fault-of-course-i-regret-it-it/)

[Brian Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mulroney/)

> [Every cabinet minister gets a mission statement from the Prime Minister.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mulroney/every-cabinet-minister-gets-a-mission-statement-from-the-prime/)

[Brian Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mulroney/)

> [He cast off his friends as a huntsman his pack, For he knew when he pleas'd he could whistle them back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/he-cast-off-his-friends-as-a-huntsman-his-pack-for-he-knew-when-he/)

[Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/)

> [“One of the eternal verities of human life is that if you make the same choices as other people, they will think you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-hammond/one-of-the-eternal-verities-of-human-life-is-that-if-you-make-the/)

[George Hammond](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-hammond/)

> [Popularity isn't just something that happens. You have to give something in exchange for it, and that's the dangerous part of the process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-bringhurst/popularity-isn-t-just-something-that-happens-you-have-to-give/)

[Robert Bringhurst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-bringhurst/)

> [“Alles Populäre ist falsch.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/alles-popul-re-ist-falsch/)

[Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/)

> [ The social \[media channel\] isn't about beauty contests and popularity contests. They're a distortion, a caricature of the real thing. It's about trust, connection,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/umair-haque/the-social-media-channel-isn-t-about-beauty-contests-and-popularity/)

[Umair Haque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/umair-haque/)

## More by Brian Mulroney

> [I commend Sri Chinmoy for his faith and serenity, and I hope he will continue to exert his calming and constructive influence on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mulroney/i-commend-sri-chinmoy-for-his-faith-and-serenity-and-i-hope-he-will/)

[Brian Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mulroney/)

> [Every cabinet minister gets a mission statement from the Prime Minister.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mulroney/every-cabinet-minister-gets-a-mission-statement-from-the-prime/)

[Brian Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mulroney/)

> [There are so many demands on your time, on your resources, and on the prestige of the government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mulroney/there-are-so-many-demands-on-your-time-on-your-resources-and-on-the/)

[Brian Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mulroney/)

> [You can't be chasing 15 rabbits. Otherwise, the public mind cannot follow you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mulroney/you-can-t-be-chasing-15-rabbits-otherwise-the-public-mind-cannot/)

[Brian Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mulroney/)

> [In politics, madame, you need two things: friends, but above all an enemy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mulroney/in-politics-madame-you-need-two-things-friends-but-above-all-an-enemy/)

[Brian Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mulroney/)

> [Every argument that Margaret Thatcher ever made internationally didn't have a great deal to do with her contempt for Communism - she never really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mulroney/every-argument-that-margaret-thatcher-ever-made-internationally-didn/)

[Brian Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mulroney/)

> [Like all of us, there were many facets to Margaret Thatcher's personality. In private she was kind, thoughtful, charming. Very attentive to her interlocutors.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mulroney/like-all-of-us-there-were-many-facets-to-margaret-thatcher-s/)

[Brian Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mulroney/)

> [Once you articulate an agenda, you have to follow it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mulroney/once-you-articulate-an-agenda-you-have-to-follow-it/)

[Brian Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mulroney/)

> [Margaret Thatcher inherited the sick man of Europe in 1979 and transformed it into a powerhouse. When she left office, it was Britain redefined.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mulroney/margaret-thatcher-inherited-the-sick-man-of-europe-in-1979-and/)

[Brian Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mulroney/)

> [We decided that the environment was an integral part of our policies and the political thrust of our government. We gave it the priority…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mulroney/we-decided-that-the-environment-was-an-integral-part-of-our-policies/)

[Brian Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mulroney/)

> [It's my responsibility, and entirely my fault, Of course I regret it. It's the kind of locker-room conversation we all use, but as prime…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mulroney/it-s-my-responsibility-and-entirely-my-fault-of-course-i-regret-it-it/)

[Brian Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mulroney/)

> [And, of course, the fact that Maurice Strong, a Canadian, was in charge made it important for us to pull up our socks and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mulroney/and-of-course-the-fact-that-maurice-strong-a-canadian-was-in-charge/)

[Brian Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mulroney/)

> [Whether the process proves to be Kyoto or something else, let's acknowledge the urgency of global warming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mulroney/whether-the-process-proves-to-be-kyoto-or-something-else-let-s/)

[Brian Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mulroney/)

> [I would go to them and I would explain this is the price of going forward. We're going to move ahead in all these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mulroney/i-would-go-to-them-and-i-would-explain-this-is-the-price-of-going/)

[Brian Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mulroney/)

> [You accumulate political capital to spend it on noble causes for Canada. If you're afraid to spend your capital, you shouldn't be there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mulroney/you-accumulate-political-capital-to-spend-it-on-noble-causes-for/)

[Brian Mulroney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mulroney/)

[Explore all 35 Brian Mulroney quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mulroney/)

## More Goals quotes

> [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/)

[Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/)

> [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/)

[Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/)

> [Before I debuted, it was my goal to make my debut, and afterwards, I aimed at winning champion titles on television music shows, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hyuna/before-i-debuted-it-was-my-goal-to-make-my-debut-and-afterwards-i/)

[Hyuna](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hyuna/)

> [I don't really like too much credit. I know nobody's going to believe this, but I'd rather be able to score goals and nobody…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradley-wright-phillips/i-don-t-really-like-too-much-credit-i-know-nobody-s-going-to-believe/)

[Bradley Wright-Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradley-wright-phillips/)

> [Leo, Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Eden. Every year, you look at their numbers - score goals, assists, minutes - to see they play very well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pedro/leo-cristiano-ronaldo-neymar-eden-every-year-you-look-at-their/)

[Pedro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pedro/)

> [“So Jace is my actual family," Kit said. "But I can't go live with him, because him and his hot girlfriend are going off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/so-jace-is-my-actual-family-kit-said-but-i-can-t-go-live-with-him/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [The goal of spiritual practice is full recovery, and the only thing you need to recover from is a fractured sense of self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/the-goal-of-spiritual-practice-is-full-recovery-and-the-only-thing/)

[Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/)

> [Every drop of rain hits its appointed target.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/every-drop-of-rain-hits-its-appointed-target/)

[John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/)

> [“Achieving mental harmony is one of the greatest goals and experiences in life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kambiz-mostofizadeh/achieving-mental-harmony-is-one-of-the-greatest-goals-and-experiences/)

[Kambiz Mostofizadeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kambiz-mostofizadeh/)

> [I don't think about the press or the crowds or the other leaders of the race. The focus is only on myself. As soon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/magdalena-neuner/i-don-t-think-about-the-press-or-the-crowds-or-the-other-leaders-of/)

[Magdalena Neuner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/magdalena-neuner/)

> [Too many times we flitter our energy into too many goals and in the process don't achieve much. Focus is very important in life.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaishali-kasture/too-many-times-we-flitter-our-energy-into-too-many-goals-and-in-the/)

[Vaishali Kasture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaishali-kasture/)

> [Plainly, the environment must be a living one, directed by a higher intelligence, arranged by an adult who is prepared for his mission.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-montessori/plainly-the-environment-must-be-a-living-one-directed-by-a-higher/)

[Maria Montessori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-montessori/)

> [According to the best research, less than 3% of Americans have written goals, and less than 1% review and rewrite their goals on a daily basis.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/according-to-the-best-research-less-than-3-of-americans-have-written/)

[Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/)

> [When you have accomplished your goal simply walk away. This is the path way to Heaven.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laozi/when-you-have-accomplished-your-goal-simply-walk-away-this-is-the/)

[Laozi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laozi/)

> [“What shapes us is not always our achievements but our omissions. Not lies; simply the truths we don’t tell.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-tudor/what-shapes-us-is-not-always-our-achievements-but-our-omissions-not/)

[C.J. Tudor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-tudor/)

[Browse all 21,276 Goals quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "If your only objective is to be popular, you're going to be popular but you will be known as the Prime Minister who achieved nothing.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Brian Mulroney"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mulroney/if-your-only-objective-is-to-be-popular-you-re-going-to-be-popular/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Goals"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mulroney/if-your-only-objective-is-to-be-popular-you-re-going-to-be-popular/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c7/brian-mulroney-18382_goals_if-your-only-objective-is-to-be-popular_1459080.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c7/brian-mulroney-18382_goals_if-your-only-objective-is-to-be-popular_1459080.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1c7/brian-mulroney-18382_goals_if-your-only-objective-is-to-be-popular_1459080.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“If your only objective is to be popular, you're going to be popular but you will be known as the Prime…” — Brian Mulroney",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Brian Mulroney",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-mulroney/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "If your only objective is to...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mulroney/if-your-only-objective-is-to-be-popular-you-re-going-to-be-popular/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-mulroney/if-your-only-objective-is-to-be-popular-you-re-going-to-be-popular/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
