Failure Quote by John Steinbeck
““The things we admire in men, kindness and generosity, openness, honesty, understanding and feeling are the concomiants of failure in our system. And those traits we detest, sharpness, greed, acquisitiveness, meanness, egotism and self-interest are the traits of success. And while men admire the quality of the first they love the produce of the second. (Cannery Row)””
About This Quote
Source Novel: Cannery Row by John Steinbeck, 1945
Society rewards traits like greed and selfishness while condemning kindness and generosity, revealing a paradox in values.
In simple terms: Success is linked to selfish traits, kindness to failure.
Key Takeaway
Question the values we reward in society.
Themes
values
societal paradox
success
morality
Mood
critical
thought‑provoking
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- workplace dynamics
- political discourse
- personal ambition
Key Concepts
capitalism
ethical relativism
social critique
Questions to Reflect On
- What traits are truly rewarded today?
- Can kindness coexist with success?
A Different Perspective
Ignores context where kindness leads to success.
![“Teaching might even be the greatest of the arts since the medium is the human mind and spirit. My three [great teachers] did not tell - they catalyzed a burning desire to know. Under their influence, the horizons sprung wide and fear went away and the unknown became knowable. But most important of…” quote by John Steinbeck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/84c/john-steinbeck-71_art_teaching-might-even-be-the-greatest-of-t_1738.jpg)
