--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Any social movement that seeks to benefit…" description: "\"Any social movement that seeks to benefit only its own members I think is a shallow movement and probably doomed to failure.\" — Cleve Jones" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bde/cleve-jones-12503_benefits_any-social-movement-that-seeks-to-benefi_384789.png" --- # Any social movement that seeks to benefit only its own… ![“Any social movement that seeks to benefit only its own members I think is a shallow movement and probably doomed to failure.” quote by Cleve Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bde/cleve-jones-12503_benefits_any-social-movement-that-seeks-to-benefi_384789.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bde/cleve-jones-12503_benefits_any-social-movement-that-seeks-to-benefi_384789.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bde/cleve-jones-12503_benefits_any-social-movement-that-seeks-to-benefi_384789.png) > “Any social movement that seeks to benefit only its own members I think is a shallow movement and probably doomed to failure.” [Cleve Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cleve-jones/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A movement that only serves its members lacks broader purpose and will likely fail. **In simple terms:** Self‑centered movements are doomed. Key Takeaway Include all people, not just members. Themes inclusion social justice movement dynamics Mood concerned critical Type advocacy philosophical When to use this quote - community organizing - policy advocacy - grassroots campaigns Key Concepts collective benefit ethical leadership Questions to Reflect On - How can a movement broaden its impact? - What responsibilities do leaders have to outsiders? A Different Perspective May ignore systemic issues beyond members. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Failure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/failure/) [Movement](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/movement/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [Social movements](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social-movements/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) ## Related quotes > [A movement that seeks to advance only its own members is going to accomplish little](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cleve-jones/a-movement-that-seeks-to-advance-only-its-own-members-is-going-to/) [Cleve Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cleve-jones/) > [Feminism is the single most powerful social movement of our time, one that addresses every aspect of human and social life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-allen-epstein/feminism-is-the-single-most-powerful-social-movement-of-our-time-one/) [Richard Allen Epstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-allen-epstein/) > [There has never been a successful social movement for any minority without the support of the majority.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hudson-taylor/there-has-never-been-a-successful-social-movement-for-any-minority/) [Hudson Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hudson-taylor/) > [As a cultural-intellectual power and a moral ideal, collectivism died in World War II. If we are still rolling in its direction, it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/as-a-cultural-intellectual-power-and-a-moral-ideal-collectivism-died/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [When a social movement adopts the compromises of legislators, it has forgotten its role, which is to push and challenge the politicians, not fall…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-zinn/when-a-social-movement-adopts-the-compromises-of-legislators-it-has/) [Howard Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-zinn/) > [A social movement that only moves people is merely a revolt. A movement that changes both people and institutions is a revolution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/a-social-movement-that-only-moves-people-is-merely-a-revolt-a/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [Sometimes the difference between two candidates is an important one in the immediate sense, and then I believe trying to get somebody into office,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/howard-zinn/sometimes-the-difference-between-two-candidates-is-an-important-one/) [Howard Zinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/howard-zinn/) > [This is the beginning of a social movement in fact and not in pronouncements. We seek our basic, God - given rights as human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/this-is-the-beginning-of-a-social-movement-in-fact-and-not-in/) [Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/) > [In other words, "speaking truth" as a social movement may move you forward in some ways, but to really lock in and have real…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/in-other-words-speaking-truth-as-a-social-movement-may-move-you/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [There will be no equity without solidarity. 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They must make mistakes and learn from them, make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr-2/human-beings-with-all-their-faults-and-strengths-constitute-the/) [Martin Luther King Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr-2/) > [“by the essence of their nature, which was frail, all human beings were probably doomed to be seasick.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eudora-welty/by-the-essence-of-their-nature-which-was-frail-all-human-beings-were/) [Eudora Welty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eudora-welty/) > [The non-violent movement seeks justice and reconciliation, not victory - or not just victory.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alveda-king/the-non-violent-movement-seeks-justice-and-reconciliation-not-victory/) [Alveda King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alveda-king/) > [People think I'm as shallow and superficial as I look, and it's a surprise when they find out, sure enough, I am.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dolly-parton/people-think-i-m-as-shallow-and-superficial-as-i-look-and-it-s-a/) [Dolly Parton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dolly-parton/) ## More by Cleve Jones > [If I had to say what my one greatest achievement is, it's that I lasted, and I'm still happy. I hope that comes through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cleve-jones/if-i-had-to-say-what-my-one-greatest-achievement-is-it-s-that-i/) [Cleve Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cleve-jones/) > [If you tell me I can't understand you because of my color or you can't understand me because of your sexual orientation or she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cleve-jones/if-you-tell-me-i-can-t-understand-you-because-of-my-color-or-you-can/) [Cleve Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cleve-jones/) > [Everybody will always find some way of diminishing your work, but it's all a lie!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cleve-jones/everybody-will-always-find-some-way-of-diminishing-your-work-but-it-s/) [Cleve Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cleve-jones/) > [During those days when you're exhausted and during those days when you're frustrated, during those days when you're being attacked by your own people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cleve-jones/during-those-days-when-you-re-exhausted-and-during-those-days-when/) [Cleve Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cleve-jones/) > [What people haven't quite grasped yet is that the rich are transforming cities all across the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cleve-jones/what-people-haven-t-quite-grasped-yet-is-that-the-rich-are/) [Cleve Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cleve-jones/) > [I have no personal desire to get married whatsoever and I certainly have no desire to be a soldier. I'm old school, I'm from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cleve-jones/i-have-no-personal-desire-to-get-married-whatsoever-and-i-certainly/) [Cleve Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cleve-jones/) > [I saw great hope in the Sanders campaign - a flawed candidate, not perfect, but pretty damn close. Millions of young people were inspired…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cleve-jones/i-saw-great-hope-in-the-sanders-campaign-a-flawed-candidate-not/) [Cleve Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cleve-jones/) > [The sense of urgency has almost completely vanished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cleve-jones/the-sense-of-urgency-has-almost-completely-vanished/) [Cleve Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cleve-jones/) > [The joy with which we denigrate each others' efforts, I hate that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cleve-jones/the-joy-with-which-we-denigrate-each-others-efforts-i-hate-that/) [Cleve Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cleve-jones/) > [ If we \[gays\] want to be equal under the law, we must now - as the great heroes of the Civil Rights movement of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cleve-jones/if-we-gays-want-to-be-equal-under-the-law-we-must-now-as-the-great/) [Cleve Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cleve-jones/) > [I don't have any hobbies! I don't golf, I can't imagine what I would do if I retired other than get fat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cleve-jones/i-don-t-have-any-hobbies-i-don-t-golf-i-can-t-imagine-what-i-would-do/) [Cleve Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cleve-jones/) > [Hello! The world is a mess!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cleve-jones/hello-the-world-is-a-mess/) [Cleve Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cleve-jones/) > [Dealing with Hollywood and commercial entertainment, you always have to worry that the political message is going to be skewed or obscured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cleve-jones/dealing-with-hollywood-and-commercial-entertainment-you-always-have/) [Cleve Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cleve-jones/) > [I go back to the parallels with 1963, 1964 when white America really became aware of the brutality of segregation, the cruelty of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cleve-jones/i-go-back-to-the-parallels-with-1963-1964-when-white-america-really/) [Cleve Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cleve-jones/) > [The penalties for homosexual conduct were - would vary from state to state, but they were - it was a felony in most states…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cleve-jones/the-penalties-for-homosexual-conduct-were-would-vary-from-state-to/) [Cleve Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cleve-jones/) [Explore all 54 Cleve Jones quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cleve-jones/) ## More Benefits quotes > [If the members of parliament no longer consider themselves mandatories of the taxpayers but deputies of those receiving salaries, wages, subsidies, doles, and other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ludwig-von-mises/if-the-members-of-parliament-no-longer-consider-themselves/) [Ludwig von Mises](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ludwig-von-mises/) > [ \[The Dalai Lama\] told me some years ago, "I've made every concession to China, and I've been as open and tolerant as I could,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pico-iyer/the-dalai-lama-told-me-some-years-ago-i-ve-made-every-concession-to/) [Pico Iyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pico-iyer/) > [Anger is a rough water; if you can canalize it into a water mill, you can benefit from it. Anything bad can be transformed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/anger-is-a-rough-water-if-you-can-canalize-it-into-a-water-mill-you/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Shortly after I turned 50, both Ted Turner and the AARP came into my life. The only difference? With AARP, there were benefits.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jane-fonda/shortly-after-i-turned-50-both-ted-turner-and-the-aarp-came-into-my/) [Jane Fonda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jane-fonda/) > [That old man dies prematurely whose memory records no benefits conferred. They only have lived long who have lived virtuously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brinsley-sheridan/that-old-man-dies-prematurely-whose-memory-records-no-benefits/) [Richard Brinsley Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brinsley-sheridan/) > [Politics is about power. It is about the power of the state. It is about the power of the state as applied to individuals,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-rudd/politics-is-about-power-it-is-about-the-power-of-the-state-it-is/) [Kevin Rudd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-rudd/) > [Therefore, I see whatever exists as good, death is to me like life, sin like holiness, wisdom like foolishness, everything has to be as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/therefore-i-see-whatever-exists-as-good-death-is-to-me-like-life-sin/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Trust is about keeping commitments, but in many instances, circumstances change and organizations therefore shed commitments, things such as retiree medical benefits, pension obligations,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-pfeffer/trust-is-about-keeping-commitments-but-in-many-instances/) [Jeffrey Pfeffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-pfeffer/) > [Neither novels or their readers benefit from any attempts to divine whether any facts hide inside a story. Such efforts attack the very idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/neither-novels-or-their-readers-benefit-from-any-attempts-to-divine/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [Let us think of education as the means of developing our greatest abilities, because in each of us there is a private hope and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/let-us-think-of-education-as-the-means-of-developing-our-greatest/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [To really be of benefit to others as the Buddha always taught, we ourselves must first get out of the swamp. One of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tenzin-palmo/to-really-be-of-benefit-to-others-as-the-buddha-always-taught-we/) [Tenzin Palmo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tenzin-palmo/) > [I won the seat of Oxley largely on an issue that has resulted in me being called a racist. 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