Ambition Quote by Henry A. Kissinger
“I grew up in Germany during the Nazi period, and I came to this country when I was 15. And then I had to work in a factory because we had no resources. And I went to night school. So, it was not a rational ambition for me to become a world statesman.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Economist, 1975
Hardship and limited resources shaped a pragmatic, not idealistic, career path.
In simple terms: Early struggles forced practical ambitions.
Key Takeaway
Adapt goals to circumstances.
Themes
hardship
pragmatism
career
Mood
reflective
historical
Type
biographical
political
When to use this quote
- immigrant experience
- vocational training
- policy advocacy
Key Concepts
social mobility
resource scarcity
Questions to Reflect On
- How did adversity shape your goals?
- What resources could have altered your path?
A Different Perspective
Idealism can still drive change despite constraints.
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![“Before the Freedom of Information Act, I used to say at meetings "The illegal we do immediately. The unconstitutional takes a little longer." [...] But since the Freedom of Information Act, I'm afraid to say things like that.” quote by Henry A. Kissinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6dc/henry-a-kissinger-1068_freedom_before-the-freedom-of-information-act-i_25339.jpg)
