I argue that it's appropriate for people to pursue their profit motive in business. If you want to change that, you're going against human nature. But when it comes to setting the rules or creating the institutions, then you should have the general interest at heart, even if it conflicts with your personal interest.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Soros accepts profit motives as natural but insists institutions should serve the general interest.
- In plain terms
- Business can seek profit, but rules should protect everyone.
- What can you take from it?
- Private gain must be balanced with public good.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you balance profit and ethics?
- Who decides the general interest?
Another view
Defining general interest can be politically contentious.
More from George Soros
Well, you know, I was a human being before I became a businessman.
Permalink to quote #24 You know, these things interested me before I became a businessman and I kind of neglected them during twenty, twenty-five years, while I was engaged in making…
Permalink to quote #26 It's more difficult, you know, to bring about positive change than it is to make money. It's much easier to make money, because it's a much easier way to measu…
Permalink to quote #23
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