Common good Quote by Salman Rushdie
““In these our cowardly times, we deny the grandeur of the Universal, and assert and glorify our local Bigotries, and so we cannot agree on much. In these our degenerate times, men bent on nothing but vainglory and personal gain- hollow, bombastic men for whom nothing is off-limits if it advances their petty cause- will claim to be great leaders and benefactors, acting in the common good, and calling all who oppose them liars, envious, little people, stupid people, stiff, and, in a precise reversal of the truth, dishonest and corrupt.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Age of Discontent”, 2019, The New Yorker
He criticizes how societies retreat into narrow bigotries, rejecting universal values, leading to false leaders who label dissenters negatively
In simple terms: Societies reject universal values, embrace narrow bigotries, and create false leaders
Key Takeaway
Beware of narrow bigotries and false leadership
Themes
politics
culture
ethics
leadership
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
analytical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- political discourse
- media analysis
- education
- community building
Key Concepts
authoritarianism
moral relativism
groupthink
Questions to Reflect On
- What defines a true leader?
- How can societies reclaim universal values?
A Different Perspective
Counterpoint: Some argue strong identity politics can empower marginalized groups
