---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If one defines the term 'dropout' to mean…"
description: "\"If one defines the term 'dropout' to mean a person who has given up serious effort to meet his responsibilities, then every business office, government..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/515/john-w-gardner-7687_agency_if-one-defines-the-term-dropout-to-mean_1359959.jpg"
---

#  If one defines the term 'dropout' to mean a person who has…

![“If one defines the term 'dropout' to mean a person who has given up serious effort to meet his responsibilities, then every business office, government agency, golf club and university faculty would yield its quota.” quote by John W. Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/515/john-w-gardner-7687_agency_if-one-defines-the-term-dropout-to-mean_1359959.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/515/john-w-gardner-7687_agency_if-one-defines-the-term-dropout-to-mean_1359959.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/515/john-w-gardner-7687_agency_if-one-defines-the-term-dropout-to-mean_1359959.jpg)

> “If one defines the term 'dropout' to mean a person who has given up serious effort to meet his responsibilities, then every business office, government agency, golf club and university faculty would yield its quota.”

[John W. Gardner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-w-gardner/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

If "dropout" means abandoning responsibility, then many institutions would be full of such individuals, highlighting widespread disengagement.

**In simple terms:** Many people give up on duties, so many places would have "dropouts".

Key Takeaway

Encourage accountability and commitment in all roles.

Themes

responsibility work ethic institutional health social expectations

Mood

reflective thoughtful

Type

diagnostic inspirational

When to use this quote

- workplace
- government
- education
- sports clubs
- academic departments

Key Concepts

commitment motivation civic duty

Questions to Reflect On

- What factors lead people to abandon responsibilities?
- How can institutions foster sustained effort?

A Different Perspective

Labeling everyone as a dropout may overlook systemic issues that cause disengagement.

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