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The only people who can destroy Israel are the Jews. They are a stiff-necked people, very divisive. It's hard for them all to get along. There's this joke where the president of Israel is talking to the president of America, and he says, 'I know it's hard to be the president of a quarter of a billion people, but how would you like to be the president of five million presidents?'

Kirk Douglas#24

IdentityLeadershipPoliticsUnity

About this quote

What does it mean?
The quote suggests internal division within a group can be more damaging than external threats.
In plain terms
Internal conflict among a people can threaten them more than outside enemies.
What can you take from it?
Unity is crucial for a group's survival.

Where it applies

  • political analysis
  • organizational dynamics
  • group identity

Putting it to work

  • assess internal cohesion
  • promote unity
  • identify divisive factors

Questions to consider

  • How does internal division affect a group's resilience?
  • What role does leadership play in unifying a people?

Another view

The quote relies on stereotypes and jokes that may oversimplify complex geopolitical realities.

More from Kirk Douglas

  1. I don't like goody-goodies.

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  2. Thinking of other people takes you away from constantly thinking of yourself.

    Permalink to quote #25
  3. People are always talking about the old days. They say that the old movies were better, that the old actors were so great. But I don't think so. All I can say …

    Permalink to quote #22

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