--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think there are different kinds of…" description: "\"I think there are different kinds of elites. I think there are venal elites, and self-interested elites, and selfish elites, and I think there are visi..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e3/thomas-friedman-1784_different_i-think-there-are-different-kinds-of-eli_1456339.png" --- # I think there are different kinds of elites. I think there… ![“I think there are different kinds of elites. I think there are venal elites, and self-interested elites, and selfish elites, and I think there are visionary elites.” quote by Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e3/thomas-friedman-1784_different_i-think-there-are-different-kinds-of-eli_1456339.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e3/thomas-friedman-1784_different_i-think-there-are-different-kinds-of-eli_1456339.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/1e3/thomas-friedman-1784_different_i-think-there-are-different-kinds-of-eli_1456339.png) > “I think there are different kinds of elites. I think there are venal elites, and self-interested elites, and selfish elites, and I think there are visionary elites.” [Thomas Friedman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-friedman/) ## 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 distinguishes between corrupt, self‑serving, and visionary leaders, suggesting elites vary in motives and impact. **In simple terms:** Elites can be corrupt, self‑interested, or visionary. Key Takeaway Identify and support visionary leaders. Themes leadership ethics politics society Mood critical reflective Type analytical thought‑provoking When to use this quote - government reform - corporate governance - community activism - education reform Key Concepts Power dynamics moral philosophy public policy Questions to Reflect On - What qualities define a visionary elite? - How can societies encourage visionary leadership? A Different Perspective Visionary elites are rare and may be co‑opted by existing power structures. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Different kinds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different-kinds/) [Elites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elites/) [Elites Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elites-self-5250428/) [Elites Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/elites-think-436444/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Kinds Elites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kinds-elites-5250426/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Selfish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish/) [Selfish Elites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfish-elites-5250429/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Visionaries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/visionaries/) [Visionary Elites](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/visionary-elites-5250427/) ## Related quotes > [“There are very few intellectual elites and those who think they are, are merely not and those who are not shows us the intellectual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santosh-kalwar/there-are-very-few-intellectual-elites-and-those-who-think-they-are/) [Santosh Kalwar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santosh-kalwar/) > [The popular mind often pictures gigantic flying machines speeding across the Atlantic carrying innumerable passengers in a way analogous to our modern steam ships.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-henry-pickering/the-popular-mind-often-pictures-gigantic-flying-machines-speeding/) [William Henry Pickering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-henry-pickering/) > [Wright is a visionary with a great strategic mind, and he's a strong business leader with outstanding people skills, ... 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