--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The Gross National Product measures…" description: "\"The Gross National Product measures neither our wit nor our courage, neither our wisdom nor our learning, neither our compassion nor our devotion to ou..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dae/robert-kennedy-2083_america_the-gross-national-product-measures-neit_255913.jpg" --- # The Gross National Product measures neither our wit nor… ![“The Gross National Product measures neither our wit nor our courage, neither our wisdom nor our learning, neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country. It measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile, and it can tell us everything about America - except whether…” quote by Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dae/robert-kennedy-2083_america_the-gross-national-product-measures-neit_255913.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dae/robert-kennedy-2083_america_the-gross-national-product-measures-neit_255913.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dae/robert-kennedy-2083_america_the-gross-national-product-measures-neit_255913.jpg) > “The Gross National Product measures neither our wit nor our courage, neither our wisdom nor our learning, neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country. It measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile, and it can tell us everything about America - except whether we are proud to be Americans.” [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote critiques GDP as an inadequate gauge of a nation's true values, emphasizing that it ignores moral and cultural qualities that give life meaning. **In simple terms:** GDP misses moral and cultural values that matter. Key Takeaway Look beyond economic metrics to assess societal health. Themes values economics culture national identity ethics Mood critical reflective thoughtful Type philosophical political social commentary When to use this quote - policy analysis - education reform - community building - personal reflection Key Concepts human development well‑being civic pride Questions to Reflect On - How can we measure a nation's moral health? - What indicators reflect citizens' sense of purpose? A Different Perspective GDP cannot capture intangible qualities like pride, compassion, or purpose. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Courage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/courage/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Wisdom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wisdom/) ## Related quotes > [Gross National Product measures neither the health of our children, the quality of their education, nor the joy of their play. It measures neither…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-francis-kennedy/gross-national-product-measures-neither-the-health-of-our-children/) [Robert Francis Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-francis-kennedy/) > [The gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education or the joy of their play.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/the-gross-national-product-does-not-allow-for-the-health-of-our-2/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [The Gross National Product measures everything except that which makes life worthwhile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/the-gross-national-product-measures-everything-except-that-which/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [...the gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education or the joy of their play.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-gross-national-product-does-not-allow-for-the-health-of-our/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The Gross National Product does not include the beauty of our poetry or the intelligence of our public debate. It measures neither our wit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-brynjolfsson/the-gross-national-product-does-not-include-the-beauty-of-our-poetry/) [Erik Brynjolfsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-brynjolfsson/) > [The gross national product includes air pollution and advertising for cigarettes, and ambulances to clear our highways of carnage. It counts special locks for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/the-gross-national-product-includes-air-pollution-and-advertising-for/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [The Gross National Product includes the destruction of the redwoods and the death of Lake Superior. It grows with the production of napalm and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/the-gross-national-product-includes-the-destruction-of-the-redwoods/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [“The gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education or the joy of their play.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/the-gross-national-product-does-not-allow-for-the-health-of-our-3/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [“Our gross national product, now, is over eight hundred billion dollars a year, but that GNP--if we should judge America by that--counts air pollution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-liu/our-gross-national-product-now-is-over-eight-hundred-billion-dollars/) [Eric Liu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-liu/) > [Gross National Product is our Holy Grail.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stewart-udall/gross-national-product-is-our-holy-grail/) [Stewart Udall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stewart-udall/) > [The substance of man cannot be measured by Gross National Product.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-f-schumacher/the-substance-of-man-cannot-be-measured-by-gross-national-product/) [E. F. Schumacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-f-schumacher/) > [We will find neither national purpose nor personal satisfaction in a mere continuation of economic progress, in an endless amassing of worldly goods. We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/we-will-find-neither-national-purpose-nor-personal-satisfaction-in-a/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [When people put labels on us, it doesn't always enclose everything that we are. So even though I'm proud to be Somali, I'm proud…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/halima-aden/when-people-put-labels-on-us-it-doesn-t-always-enclose-everything/) [Halima Aden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/halima-aden/) > [I am proud to be American. We wouldn't have our big dreams without this quality, but if we can't agree on the shape of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-andersen/i-am-proud-to-be-american-we-wouldn-t-have-our-big-dreams-without/) [Kurt Andersen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-andersen/) > [I am many different things, and that is why I am so proud to be American.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-samuelsson/i-am-many-different-things-and-that-is-why-i-am-so-proud-to-be/) [Marcus Samuelsson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-samuelsson/) ## More by Robert Kennedy > [Wars of any magnitude release powerful social and economic forces which can change the whole face of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/wars-of-any-magnitude-release-powerful-social-and-economic-forces/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [If freedom makes social progress possible, so social progress strengthens and enlarges freedom. The two are inseparable partners in the great adventure of humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/if-freedom-makes-social-progress-possible-so-social-progress/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [Goethe tells us in his greatest poem that Faust lost the liberty of his soul when he said to the passing moment, 'Stay, thou…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/goethe-tells-us-in-his-greatest-poem-that-faust-lost-the-liberty-of/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [The intolerant man will not rely on persuasion, or on the worth of the idea. He would deny to others the very freedom of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/the-intolerant-man-will-not-rely-on-persuasion-or-on-the-worth-of-the/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [Let us dedicate ourselves to what the Greeks wrote so many years ago: to tame the savageness of man and make gentle the life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/let-us-dedicate-ourselves-to-what-the-greeks-wrote-so-many-years-ago/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [President Kennedy's election was such an enlargement. It expanded religious freedom to include the highest office in the land. President Kennedy's administration was such…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/president-kennedy-s-election-was-such-an-enlargement-it-expanded/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [Men and women with freed minds may often be mistaken, but they are seldom fooled. They may be influenced, but they cannot be intimidated.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/men-and-women-with-freed-minds-may-often-be-mistaken-but-they-are/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [Prejudice exists and probably will continue to 'but we have tried to make progress and we are making progress. We are not going to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/prejudice-exists-and-probably-will-continue-to-but-we-have-tried-to/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [Too much and too long, we seem to have surrendered community excellence and community values in the mere accumulation of material things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/too-much-and-too-long-we-seem-to-have-surrendered-community/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [In the final analysis, poverty is a condition of helplessness - of inability to cope with the conditions of existence in our complex society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/in-the-final-analysis-poverty-is-a-condition-of-helplessness-of/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [We know that we cannot live together without rules which tell us what is right and what is wrong, what is permitted and what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/we-know-that-we-cannot-live-together-without-rules-which-tell-us-what/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [Punishment is not prevention. History offers cold comfort to those who think grievance and despair can be subdued by force.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/punishment-is-not-prevention-history-offers-cold-comfort-to-those-who/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [The travail of freedom and justice is not easy, but nothing serious and important in life is easy. The history of humanity has been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/the-travail-of-freedom-and-justice-is-not-easy-but-nothing-serious/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [Our future may lie beyond our vision, but it is not completely beyond our control. It is the shaping impulse of America that neither…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/our-future-may-lie-beyond-our-vision-but-it-is-not-completely-beyond/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) > [Unions, by and large, are democratic organizations with freely chosen leaders and policies determined by the membership. They concern themselves with individual dignity not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-kennedy/unions-by-and-large-are-democratic-organizations-with-freely-chosen/) [Robert Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) [Explore all 186 Robert Kennedy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-kennedy/) ## More America quotes > [The costs of the Bush-Obama wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are now estimated to run as high as $4.4 trillion - a major victory…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/the-costs-of-the-bush-obama-wars-in-iraq-and-afghanistan-are-now/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Young men, especially in America, write to me and ask me to recommend “a course of reading.” Distrust a course of reading! People who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lang/young-men-especially-in-america-write-to-me-and-ask-me-to-recommend-a/) [Andrew Lang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lang/) > [Well, The Day the Earth Caught Fire was a story... I don't if anybody knows what it is but it was about... in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/val-guest/well-the-day-the-earth-caught-fire-was-a-story-i-don-t-if-anybody/) [Val Guest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/val-guest/) > [So here's what I want you to know, and here's what I want all our men and women in uniform to know: Because of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/so-here-s-what-i-want-you-to-know-and-here-s-what-i-want-all-our-men/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [Today, the world looks to America for leadership. And America looks to its Corps of Marines.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/today-the-world-looks-to-america-for-leadership-and-america-looks-to/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [The image of blacks usually is one of people who are suffering from hunger, unemployment, and poverty. The idea of them as agents and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grace-lee-boggs/the-image-of-blacks-usually-is-one-of-people-who-are-suffering-from/) [Grace Lee Boggs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grace-lee-boggs/) > [ I'll smoke, I'll cough, I'll get the tumors, I'll die, deal? Thank you America. \[salutes\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-hicks/i-ll-smoke-i-ll-cough-i-ll-get-the-tumors-i-ll-die-deal-thank-you/) [Bill Hicks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-hicks/) > [America is a democracy and has no Hitler, but I am afraid for her future; there are hard times ahead for the American people,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/america-is-a-democracy-and-has-no-hitler-but-i-am-afraid-for-her/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [I'm gonna bring America together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-trump/i-m-gonna-bring-america-together/) [Donald Trump](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-trump/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [We need a system that serves our needs, not the needs of others. 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