Bloody Quote by Doris Lessing
“Why were the Europeans bothered about the Soviet Union at all? It was nothing to do with us. China had nothing to do with us. Why were we not building, without reference to the Soviet Union, a good society in our own countries? But no, we were all - in one way or another - obsessed with the bloody Soviet Union, which was a disaster. What people were supporting was failure. And continually justifying it.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 1978
The quote critiques the preoccupation with external political threats over domestic development, suggesting that focusing on the Soviet Union diverted attention from building better societies at home.
In simple terms: Obsessing over foreign problems hinders local progress.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize internal improvement over external fear.
Themes
politics
societal development
historical analysis
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
commentary
When to use this quote
- policy making
- education reform
- community building
- media critique
Key Concepts
Cold War dynamics
national priorities
collective obsession
Questions to Reflect On
- How does external focus affect domestic policy?
- What alternatives could have been pursued?
A Different Perspective
Neglecting internal issues can perpetuate systemic failures.
