Endangered species Quote by John Dolan
““Some people are straightforward. What you see is indeed what you get. Their words have no subtext and their hearts are open. Such individuals possess a naïveté which is both striking and humbling, and which inspires trust in others because these people are themselves trusting. They see life essentially through childlike eyes and, because of that, the more cynical members of the human race often consider them foolish and unsophisticated. Those more experienced in the ways of the world view them as easy marks, such stuff as the con-man’s wet dreams are made on. Straightforward people are very much in the minority, and in today’s world where idealism has become unfashionable and the concept of self-sacrifice unfathomable, they are in all likelihood an endangered species. For the rest of us, lying and deception is a necessary social skill. One we practice every day. Those – like myself – suckled at the breast of Perfidious Albion especially see the public expression of vulnerability as anathema. We harbour an abhorrence for emotional weakness; and we Brits are by no means the only ones. On a dog-eat-dog planet if you are to thrive, you have to be in control of yourself. Or at least appear to be.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Endangered Straightforward” in The Atlantic, 2021
Straightforward people are rare, often exploited, yet they inspire trust and humility in a cynical world.
In simple terms: Honest people are few and vulnerable.
Cultivate honesty while protecting yourself.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- workplace
- politics
- personal relationships
- online interactions
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you be honest without being exploited?
- What protections help maintain integrity?
Being overly naive can lead to manipulation; balance is needed.