Americans Quote by Gregory Boyington
““For those boys, ragged and starved though they were, would still do anything for a laugh or a joke, even if they were beaten afterward for the joke or for laughing. They are the types of kids who make Americans seem great people; they are such a contrast to the ambitious sourpusses who, during the war, held down so many of the bureau jobs here at home, and are still holding them down, and will want to continue holding them—even if it means the continuation of bureaus we no longer need. Even if it means the continuation of all these paid people still making the personal judgments for us—what we should eat, when and how; what foreign countries we should be good to, when and how; what we should think and when we should think it.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Postwar Reflection, 1947
Even the poorest find joy in humor, contrasting with bureaucratic rigidity that dominates society.
In simple terms: Joyful humor persists despite hardship.
Key Takeaway
Seek humor even in tough times.
Themes
humor
class
bureaucracy
war
society
Mood
cynical
thoughtful
Type
social
political
When to use this quote
- war zones
- office politics
- community gatherings
Key Concepts
social critique
human resilience
Questions to Reflect On
- How does humor help you cope with stress?
- What role should bureaucracy play in postwar society?
A Different Perspective
Humor can be a coping mechanism, not a solution to systemic issues.
![“We [Americans] have a great ardor for gain; but we have a deep passion for the rights of man.” quote by Woodrow Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cdf/woodrow-wilson-534_ardor_we-americans-have-a-great-ardor-for-gain_2250442.jpg)
