Aspire Quote by Lee Iacocca
“That's the American way. If little kids don't aspire to make money like I did, what the hell good is this country?”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public interview, 1990s
The speaker equates national success with material ambition, implying that without wealth aspiration the country lacks purpose.
In simple terms: Success is tied to making money.
Key Takeaway
Encourage broader definitions of success beyond wealth.
Themes
economics
culture
motivation
Mood
inspirational
concerned
Type
sociopolitical
motivational
When to use this quote
- career counseling
- education policy
- family discussions
Key Concepts
capitalism
American Dream
social values
Questions to Reflect On
- What values should define a thriving society?
- How can we motivate youth without emphasizing money?
A Different Perspective
Wealth isn’t the sole measure of a nation’s health.
![“Kids do better, frankly [when the economy is strong]. Jobs make great years for kids.” quote by Edward Zigler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/2a5/edward-zigler-27708_children_kids-do-better-frankly-when-the-economy_145347.jpg)
![“If you can build a company and make money, great. But eventually, my intention is to give all my money away. I told my kids that. [Wealth] is not particularly helpful to kids. It's almost a burden. It's better to allow them to do their own thing and have their own successes.” quote by Steve Case](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/dcd/steve-case-8001_burden_if-you-can-build-a-company-and-make-mone_1248092.jpg)
![“They're on you day and night. Their oversight is just too extreme [. . .] That's why our 10-year loan, we paid it back in three years. We couldn't stand the government. The bureaucracy kills you.” quote by Lee Iacocca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/8cc/lee-iacocca-3170_bureaucracy_they-re-on-you-day-and-night-their-overs_145905.jpg)
