Accomplished Quote by Walter Kirn
“The success that Americans are said to worship is success of a specific sort: accomplished not through hard work, primarily, but through the ingenious angle, the big break. Sit down at a lunch counter, stand back up a star. Invest in a new issue and watch it soar. Split a single atom, win a war.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The American Dream Reexamined, 2005
Success is often portrayed as a result of luck or a single breakthrough rather than sustained effort.
In simple terms: Success is seen as a lucky break, not hard work.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the role of effort beyond luck.
Themes
success
luck
hard work
American Dream
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
commentary
When to use this quote
- career advancement
- entrepreneurship
- investment
- scientific research
Key Concepts
Meritocracy
randomness
breakthroughs
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance effort and opportunity?
- Can you create your own “big break”?
A Different Perspective
Luck alone cannot replace consistent dedication.
![“[U]nless oppressed groups stick together, and on alliances of self interest rather than do-goodism; nothing can be accomplished in the long run to dismantle the apparatus of oppression.” quote by Shulamith Firestone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d7b/shulamith-firestone-12980_accomplished_u-nless-oppressed-groups-stick-together_5485.jpg)
