Lawyer Quote by Nat Hentoff
“I always wanted to be a lawyer,but I certainly never wanted to be a trapeze performer.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New Yorker, 1975
The speaker contrasts a desired professional role with an absurd, unrelated image to highlight the mismatch between expectations and reality.
In simple terms: People often imagine careers without fully understanding the demands.
Key Takeaway
Clarify realistic expectations before pursuing a path.
Themes
career expectations
misconceptions
humor
Mood
wry
reflective
Type
anecdotal
humorous
When to use this quote
- job interviews
- career counseling
- educational planning
- personal reflection
Key Concepts
identity
role conflict
social perception
Questions to Reflect On
- What assumptions do you hold about your desired job?
- How can you research a career realistically?
A Different Perspective
The humor may downplay serious challenges of the profession.
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![“[My wife Margot] was the - I guess, the coordinator or the production manager [of The Jazz Review], and we got to know each other and we married.” quote by Nat Hentoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/18d/nat-hentoff-1615_coordinator_my-wife-margot-was-the-i-guess-the-coord_104123.jpg)
![“[A.J. Muste] was - he - I don't know what he finally came out believing in, but it was some kind of higher being.” quote by Nat Hentoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c49/nat-hentoff-1615_believe_a-j-muste-was-he-i-don-t-know-what-he-fi_209477.jpg)
![“I am somewhat influenced by the years that I've spent trying to actually get things done, whether it was reforming education in Arkansas or a survey and Legal Services Corporation board when President [Jimmy ]Carter appointed me and trying to get lawyers for poor people. I have worked in these…” quote by Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6c7/hillary-clinton-51_action_i-am-somewhat-influenced-by-the-years-th_9078.jpg)
