--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If, as is natural, you focus on the…" description: "\"If, as is natural, you focus on the corruption and on those threatened institutions that are trying to prevent change - even though they don't really k..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/761/paul-hawken-3831_change_if-as-is-natural-you-focus-on-the-corrup_2207809.png" --- # If, as is natural, you focus on the corruption and on… ![“If, as is natural, you focus on the corruption and on those threatened institutions that are trying to prevent change - even though they don't really know what they're trying to prevent - then you can get pessimistic.” quote by Paul Hawken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/761/paul-hawken-3831_change_if-as-is-natural-you-focus-on-the-corrup_2207809.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/761/paul-hawken-3831_change_if-as-is-natural-you-focus-on-the-corrup_2207809.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/761/paul-hawken-3831_change_if-as-is-natural-you-focus-on-the-corrup_2207809.png) > “If, as is natural, you focus on the corruption and on those threatened institutions that are trying to prevent change - even though they don't really know what they're trying to prevent - then you can get pessimistic.” [Paul Hawken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-hawken/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Focusing on corrupt institutions can lead to pessimism, especially when their motives are unclear **In simple terms:** Seeing corruption can make you feel hopeless Key Takeaway Recognize bias, seek constructive action Themes environment politics optimism Mood reflective critical Type analytical motivational When to use this quote - activism - policy advocacy - community organizing Key Concepts systemic inertia change resistance Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance awareness of corruption with hope? - What actions can counteract pessimism? A Different Perspective Optimism can be maintained by focusing on solutions, not just problems ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Corruption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corruption/) [Focus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/focus/) [Institutions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/institutions/) [Pessimistic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pessimistic/) ## Related quotes > [When asked if I am pessimistic or optimistic about the future, my answer is always the same: If you look at the science about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-hawken/when-asked-if-i-am-pessimistic-or-optimistic-about-the-future-my-3/) [Paul Hawken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-hawken/) > [When asked if I am pessimistic or optimistic about the future, my answer is always the same: If you look at the science about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-hawken/when-asked-if-i-am-pessimistic-or-optimistic-about-the-future-my-2/) [Paul Hawken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-hawken/) > [If you look at the science that describes what is happening on earth today and aren't pessimistic, you don’t have the correct data. 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Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. 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