--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I actually am a capitalist, and I believe…" description: "\"I actually am a capitalist, and I believe in shareholders. But I believe in them as a result of what I do, not as a reason for what I'm doing. The same..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/813/paul-polman-3721_alone_i-actually-am-a-capitalist-and-i-believe_2437458.jpg" --- # I actually am a capitalist, and I believe in shareholders… ![“I actually am a capitalist, and I believe in shareholders. But I believe in them as a result of what I do, not as a reason for what I'm doing. The same with profits - profits alone cannot be an objective. It has to have a purpose.” quote by Paul Polman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/813/paul-polman-3721_alone_i-actually-am-a-capitalist-and-i-believe_2437458.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/813/paul-polman-3721_alone_i-actually-am-a-capitalist-and-i-believe_2437458.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/813/paul-polman-3721_alone_i-actually-am-a-capitalist-and-i-believe_2437458.jpg) > “I actually am a capitalist, and I believe in shareholders. But I believe in them as a result of what I do, not as a reason for what I'm doing. The same with profits - profits alone cannot be an objective. It has to have a purpose.” [Paul Polman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-polman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He argues that shareholders and profits should serve a higher purpose, not be ends themselves. **In simple terms:** Shareholders need purpose. Key Takeaway Align profit with purpose. Themes business ethics purpose shareholder value profitability corporate responsibility Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - strategic planning - corporate governance - investment decisions - social impact - product development Key Concepts Stakeholder theory sustainable capitalism value creation Questions to Reflect On - How can companies embed purpose into profit goals? - What metrics balance profit and societal benefit? A Different Perspective Profit focus alone can ignore social and environmental costs. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Alone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/alone/) [Capitalism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/capitalism/) [Economics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economics/) [Goals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/goals/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) ## Related quotes > [I am a capitalist and I believe in making a profit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-rohatyn/i-am-a-capitalist-and-i-believe-in-making-a-profit/) [Felix Rohatyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-rohatyn/) > [I'm a capitalist. I believe in capitalism. 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