Better world Quote by Kurt Vonnegut
““Well, I've worried some about, you know, why write books ... why are we teaching people to write books when presidents and senators do not read them, and generals do not read them. And it's been the university experience that taught me that there is a very good reason, that you catch people before they become generals and presidents and so forth and you poison their minds with ... humanity, and however you want to poison their minds, it's presumably to encourage them to make a better world.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on Education, 1970s
He argues that teaching writing to future leaders is vital because it instills humanity, preventing them from becoming detached or harmful.
In simple terms: Teaching writing to leaders nurtures humanity and better decisions.
Key Takeaway
Promote writing education for future leaders.
Themes
education
leadership
humanity
Mood
thoughtful
inspirational
Type
philosophical
educational
When to use this quote
- universities
- political training
- military academies
Key Concepts
civic responsibility
critical thinking
Questions to Reflect On
- Can writing truly change a leader’s actions?
- What other skills complement writing for ethical leadership?
A Different Perspective
The impact of writing on leaders is indirect and may not guarantee ethical outcomes.
![“Thomas Jefferson High School [..] His high school was named after a slave owner who was also one of the world’s greatest theoreticians on the subject of human liberty.” quote by Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/73a/kurt-vonnegut-41_freedom_thomas-jefferson-high-school-his-high-sc_9727.jpg)
