--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There's nothing wrong with the…" description: "\"There's nothing wrong with the free-enterprise system. But it has to have some compassion.\" — Jim McDermott" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/868/jim-mcdermott-44933_compassion_there-s-nothing-wrong-with-the-free-ente_1812173.png" --- # There's nothing wrong with the free-enterprise system. But… ![“There's nothing wrong with the free-enterprise system. But it has to have some compassion.” quote by Jim McDermott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/868/jim-mcdermott-44933_compassion_there-s-nothing-wrong-with-the-free-ente_1812173.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/868/jim-mcdermott-44933_compassion_there-s-nothing-wrong-with-the-free-ente_1812173.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/868/jim-mcdermott-44933_compassion_there-s-nothing-wrong-with-the-free-ente_1812173.png) > “There's nothing wrong with the free-enterprise system. But it has to have some compassion.” [Jim McDermott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mcdermott/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A free‑enterprise system works only when it includes empathy for people’s needs. **In simple terms:** Capitalism needs compassion. Key Takeaway Add humane policies to markets. Themes economics ethics policy Mood thoughtful balanced Type political social When to use this quote - business decisions - government legislation - social welfare programs Key Concepts social responsibility market regulation Questions to Reflect On - How can profit and compassion coexist? - What policies balance growth and care? A Different Perspective Compassion may be seen as limiting profit motives. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Enterprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/enterprise/) [Free enterprise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/free-enterprise/) ## Related quotes > [Free enterprise is not a bad idea and has produced art.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ishmael-reed/free-enterprise-is-not-a-bad-idea-and-has-produced-art/) [Ishmael Reed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ishmael-reed/) > [However, however, if the goal is to abandon America's free enterprise economy, if the goal is to convert America into a submissive member of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/however-however-if-the-goal-is-to-abandon-america-s-free-enterprise/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [Organized business has assumed that greater profits would be pretty much of a cure-all, and it has to a major extent ignored the fact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saul-alinsky/organized-business-has-assumed-that-greater-profits-would-be-pretty/) [Saul Alinsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saul-alinsky/) > [Our free enterprise system of disseminating information is collectively referred to as The Media. But there is no collective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessica-savitch/our-free-enterprise-system-of-disseminating-information-is/) [Jessica Savitch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessica-savitch/) > [If you want to get rich with a tax free enterprise that sells nothing, start a church.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/if-you-want-to-get-rich-with-a-tax-free-enterprise-that-sells-nothing/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [I heard Nixon speak. He was talking about free enterprise, getting government off your back, lowering taxes and strengthening the military. Listening to Nixon…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-schwarzenegger/i-heard-nixon-speak-he-was-talking-about-free-enterprise-getting/) [Arnold Schwarzenegger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-schwarzenegger/) > [We stand for the maintenance of private property... We shall protect free enterprise as the most expedient, or rather the sole possible economic order.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-hitler/we-stand-for-the-maintenance-of-private-property-we-shall-protect/) [Adolf Hitler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-hitler/) > [There's no limit to what free men and free women in a free market with free enterprise can accomplish when people are free to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kemp/there-s-no-limit-to-what-free-men-and-free-women-in-a-free-market/) [Jack Kemp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kemp/) > [It's time to take Economics 101 to Washington. We believe in liberty, we believe in limited government, we believe in free enterprise, we believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-bills/it-s-time-to-take-economics-101-to-washington-we-believe-in-liberty/) [Kurt Bills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-bills/) > [I'm the guy that's trying to break up that monopoly to introduce free enterprise and competition to the energy sector.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-jones/i-m-the-guy-that-s-trying-to-break-up-that-monopoly-to-introduce-free/) [Van Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-jones/) > [The Family of Man is more than 3 billion strong. It lives in more than 100 nations. Most of its members are not white.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/the-family-of-man-is-more-than-3-billion-strong-it-lives-in-more-than/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [We very much hope that as we get growth that we can reduce the burden of taxation, that we can reduce income tax and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-thatcher/we-very-much-hope-that-as-we-get-growth-that-we-can-reduce-the-burden/) [Margaret Thatcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-thatcher/) > [Provided that societies stay mindful of the challenges that capitalism creates and never forget the paramount importance of inclusion and equal opportunity, we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/provided-that-societies-stay-mindful-of-the-challenges-that/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [There was free trade in Africa. There was free enterprise in Africa before the colonialists came.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-ayittey/there-was-free-trade-in-africa-there-was-free-enterprise-in-africa/) [George Ayittey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-ayittey/) > [I believe that there are barriers, educational barriers, cultural barriers, societal barriers, that are keeping people from accessing the promise of a vibrant free…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/i-believe-that-there-are-barriers-educational-barriers-cultural/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) ## More by Jim McDermott > [I have stood on the front lines of the health care system as a doctor, patient and concerned parent. Those experiences have served as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mcdermott/i-have-stood-on-the-front-lines-of-the-health-care-system-as-a-doctor/) [Jim McDermott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mcdermott/) > [But beyond the hysteria of phantom death panels, where is the abomination? Show me the provisions that will hurt consumers, because if you think…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mcdermott/but-beyond-the-hysteria-of-phantom-death-panels-where-is-the/) [Jim McDermott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mcdermott/) > [I have stood on the front lines of the health care system as a doctor, patient and concerned parent. Those experiences have served as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mcdermott/i-have-stood-on-the-front-lines-of-the-health-care-system-as-a-doctor-2/) [Jim McDermott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mcdermott/) > [You can make people do anything if they're afraid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mcdermott/you-can-make-people-do-anything-if-they-re-afraid/) [Jim McDermott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mcdermott/) > [I think it's a trial balloon to see what happens, and I'm not impressed with it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mcdermott/i-think-it-s-a-trial-balloon-to-see-what-happens-and-i-m-not/) [Jim McDermott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mcdermott/) > [I'm not giving the president a blank check, period.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mcdermott/i-m-not-giving-the-president-a-blank-check-period/) [Jim McDermott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mcdermott/) > [I'm old enough to remember John Kennedy sending a few advisers into Vietnam. I'm very worried we'll get in and we'll get mired down…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mcdermott/i-m-old-enough-to-remember-john-kennedy-sending-a-few-advisers-into/) [Jim McDermott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mcdermott/) > [We pretended there was no problem with Agent Orange after Vietnam and later the Pentagon recanted, after untold suffering by veterans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-mcdermott/we-pretended-there-was-no-problem-with-agent-orange-after-vietnam-and/) [Jim McDermott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mcdermott/) [Explore all 9 Jim McDermott quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-mcdermott/) ## More Compassion quotes > [Half the misery of human life might be extinguished if men would alleviate the general curse they lie under by mutual offices of compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/half-the-misery-of-human-life-might-be-extinguished-if-men-would/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [“I fight with love and kindness as my weapons and compassion as my defense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/i-fight-with-love-and-kindness-as-my-weapons-and-compassion-as-my/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“If you refuse to use physical force, then you will be at the mercy of your oppressor!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/segun-magbagbeola/if-you-refuse-to-use-physical-force-then-you-will-be-at-the-mercy-of/) Segun Magbagbeola > [For some reason, we are truly convinced that if we criticize ourselves, the criticism will lead to change. If we are harsh, we believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/for-some-reason-we-are-truly-convinced-that-if-we-criticize-ourselves/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [We are puzzled and bewildered whenever we see suffering in this world because we have become accustomed to the mercy and the long-suffering of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/we-are-puzzled-and-bewildered-whenever-we-see-suffering-in-this-world/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [“Helpers in every corner, helpers in every hood. That's how we'll make the move, to reform from rude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/helpers-in-every-corner-helpers-in-every-hood-that-s-how-we-ll-make/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [May the gods have mercy on whoever pisses them off, because Zarek and Jericho will have none for them. (Madoc) You’d better be glad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/may-the-gods-have-mercy-on-whoever-pisses-them-off-because-zarek-and/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [When you need empathy, you cannot give empathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-you-need-empathy-you-cannot-give-empathy/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-b-rosenberg/) > [But victimhood was seductive, a release from responsibility and caring. Fear would be transmuted into weary resignation; failure would no longer generate guilt but,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/but-victimhood-was-seductive-a-release-from-responsibility-and-caring/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“No one has any right to tell you that the way you perceive yourself is wrong. Because by doing so, they also discourage the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/no-one-has-any-right-to-tell-you-that-the-way-you-perceive-yourself/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [“la ilaha ilallah muhammadun rasulullah, alaihi salatullah wa alihi wal ahibba "shine your mercy like the sun, and be gracious as the earth let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talib-al-habib/la-ilaha-ilallah-muhammadun-rasulullah-alaihi-salatullah-wa-alihi-wal/) Talib al Habib > [The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/the-love-for-all-living-creatures-is-the-most-noble-attribute-of-man/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) [Browse all 9,892 Compassion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "There's nothing wrong with the free-enterprise system. 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