Always Quote by Sendhil Mullainathan
“Our outrage at inequality is primal. But primal emotions are not always noble ones. Of course, when I see a colleague receive some award, I covet it. But this is not me at my best, and these are not the feelings we would instill and promote in our children.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Interview on Inequality, 2023
The quote highlights that natural feelings of envy and anger toward inequality are instinctive but not virtuous, urging us to model better emotions for children.
In simple terms: Envy and anger are natural but should be guided.
Key Takeaway
Teach children noble values over primal impulses.
Themes
ethics
emotion
parenting
social justice
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
advice
philosophical
When to use this quote
- family discussions
- education curricula
- leadership training
- media messaging
Key Concepts
psychology
morality
emotional intelligence
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we transform envy into motivation?
- What practices help children develop noble emotional habits?
A Different Perspective
Primal emotions can be hard to control and may persist despite rational effort.
