--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Sometimes it looks as if, the better off…" description: "\"Sometimes it looks as if, the better off they [nations] become, the bigger do they conceive the gap between what is actually their lot and what would b..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95c/gunnar-myrdal-25477_better-off_sometimes-it-looks-as-if-the-better-off_2646793.jpg" --- # Sometimes it looks as if, the better off they \[nations\]… ![“Sometimes it looks as if, the better off they [nations] become, the bigger do they conceive the gap between what is actually their lot and what would be desirable, while in the poor countries large masses of people seem to be satisfied by merely surviving.” quote by Gunnar Myrdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95c/gunnar-myrdal-25477_better-off_sometimes-it-looks-as-if-the-better-off_2646793.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95c/gunnar-myrdal-25477_better-off_sometimes-it-looks-as-if-the-better-off_2646793.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/95c/gunnar-myrdal-25477_better-off_sometimes-it-looks-as-if-the-better-off_2646793.jpg) > “Sometimes it looks as if, the better off they \[nations\] become, the bigger do they conceive the gap between what is actually their lot and what would be desirable, while in the poor countries large masses of people seem to be satisfied by merely surviving.” [Gunnar Myrdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gunnar-myrdal/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Wealthier nations feel a growing disparity between reality and ideals, while poorer peoples often accept minimal existence as sufficient. **In simple terms:** Rich countries see a bigger gap between what they have and what they want; poor people settle for survival. Key Takeaway Recognize and address unequal expectations across societies. Themes inequality aspiration contentment development Mood reflective analytical Type sociological philosophical When to use this quote - policy making - international aid - community development - education programs Key Concepts relative deprivation social comparison economic disparity Questions to Reflect On - What drives the differing perceptions of satisfaction? - How can policy bridge the gap without imposing external ideals? A Different Perspective The view may overlook cultural values that prioritize collective well‑being over individual desire. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Country](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/country/) [Mass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mass/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Poor countries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poor-countries/) [Surviving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/surviving/) ## Related quotes > [“Pastor and radio broadcaster Tony Evans says, “If you want a better world, composed of better nations, inhabited by better states, filled with better…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/pastor-and-radio-broadcaster-tony-evans-says-if-you-want-a-better/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [A lot of people say that India has been held back by its democracy. 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Snow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-p-snow/) ## More by Gunnar Myrdal > [As a forecaster, Marx shared the common destiny of all prophets: to be belied by events.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gunnar-myrdal/as-a-forecaster-marx-shared-the-common-destiny-of-all-prophets-to-be/) [Gunnar Myrdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gunnar-myrdal/) > [In most circles, the idea of economic planning has been in disrepute most of the time and, particularly in America, has almost carried connotations…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gunnar-myrdal/in-most-circles-the-idea-of-economic-planning-has-been-in-disrepute/) [Gunnar Myrdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gunnar-myrdal/) > [The short-term international capital market is shrunken and erratic, and cannot be relied upon to cushion the effects of tendencies to disequilibrium in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gunnar-myrdal/the-short-term-international-capital-market-is-shrunken-and-erratic/) [Gunnar Myrdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gunnar-myrdal/) > [So many social changes are as irreversible as the reaction when sodium is thrown into water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gunnar-myrdal/so-many-social-changes-are-as-irreversible-as-the-reaction-when/) [Gunnar Myrdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gunnar-myrdal/) > [Language, as we know, is full of illogicalities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gunnar-myrdal/language-as-we-know-is-full-of-illogicalities/) [Gunnar Myrdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gunnar-myrdal/) > [All sudden and violent changes, whatever their causes or character, must tend to decrease the respect for status quo as a natural order of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gunnar-myrdal/all-sudden-and-violent-changes-whatever-their-causes-or-character/) [Gunnar Myrdal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gunnar-myrdal/) > [America has had gifted conservative statesmen and national leaders. 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