Books Quote by Dinesh D'Souza
““I read Tom Brokaw’s book The Greatest Generation. This book celebrates the virtues of the generation that grew up between the two world wars.9 As I read Brokaw’s book, I asked myself: What made the “greatest generation” so great? The answer is twofold: the Depression and World War II. The virtues of that generation were the product of scarcity and war. Hardship and need forged the admirable qualities of courage, sacrifice, and solidarity. But the greatest generation failed in one important respect: it could not produce another great generation. Why not? The obvious answer is affluence. The parents of the greatest generation wanted their children to have the advantages they never had. And in giving their children everything they wanted, the frugal, self-disciplined, sacrificial generation of World War II produced the spoiled children of the 1960s—the Clinton generation. Ironically””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Greatest Generation by Tom Brokaw, 1998
Hardship and war forged courage, sacrifice, and solidarity, but post‑war affluence dulled those virtues in the next generation.
In simple terms: War built character; peace weakened it.
Key Takeaway
Balance scarcity‑driven discipline with modern comfort.
Themes
history
culture
generational change
values
affluence
Mood
reflective
critical
Type
analytical
historical
When to use this quote
- education reform
- parenting
- public policy
- community building
Key Concepts
scarcity
war
affluence
intergenerational dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- How can societies preserve resilience without hardship?
- What policies nurture disciplined values today?
A Different Perspective
Affluence can erode the virtues it once protected.
