Community Quote by Nicholas von Hoffman
“In one of his puckish moods Saul talked the president of a university into letting him anonymously take an examination being administered to candidates for a doctorate in community organization. "Three of the questions were on the philosophy of and motivations of Saul Alinsky," writes Saul. "I answered two of them incorrectly."”
About This Quote
Source Book: The New York Times Book Review, 1972
Saul Alinsky's influence was so pervasive that even a doctorate exam included his ideas, yet the author admits limited understanding.
In simple terms: Alinsky's ideas were on a doctorate exam, but the author got most wrong.
Key Takeaway
Recognize gaps in your knowledge and seek deeper study.
Themes
education
politics
influence
humor
Mood
wry
reflective
Type
anecdotal
critical
When to use this quote
- academic exams
- political campaigns
- community organizing
- self‑assessment
Key Concepts
Political theory
activism
knowledge gaps
Questions to Reflect On
- What assumptions do you make about influential figures?
- How can you verify your understanding of a subject?
A Different Perspective
The anecdote may exaggerate Alinsky's reach; context matters.
![“[Barack] Obama isn't pointing to anyone, and certainly doesn't like it when others note (correctly) that his influences were the likes of Saul Alinsky, the Chicagoan and modern founder of community organizing, or Frank Marshall Davis, the communist journalist and agitator from Chicago who mentored…” quote by Paul Kengor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/b0a/paul-kengor-14302_acknowledge_barack-obama-isn-t-pointing-to-anyone-an_1938904.jpg)
![“... Don [Hewitt, 60 Minutes exec producer] told me, "You have set broadcast journalism back 20 years." Naturally, I was both proud and elated although too modest to say so, but broadcast journalism recovered with alacrity, my contract wasn't renewed, and the incident was forgotten.” quote by Nicholas von Hoffman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/4d8/nicholas-von-hoffman-32722_alacrity_don-hewitt-60-minutes-exec-producer-told_603904.jpg)
![“The social [media channel] isn't about beauty contests and popularity contests. They're a distortion, a caricature of the real thing. It's about trust, connection, and community. That's what there's too little of in today's mediascape, despite all the hoopla surrounding social tools. The promise…” quote by Umair Haque](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c85/umair-haque-25881_beauty_the-social-media-channel-isn-t-about-bea_1270.jpg)
