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About this quote

What does it mean?
It is sad when anyone falls into a low condition, but even sadder when they had every advantage to avoid it.
In plain terms
Failing despite having many advantages is more pitiful than failing without them.
What can you take from it?
Advantages do not guarantee success or dignity.

Where it applies

  • privileged failure
  • personal decline
  • disappointing outcomes

Putting it to work

  • evaluate advantages realistically
  • recognize wasted potential

Questions to consider

  • What advantages have you been given?
  • How do you measure success against privilege?

Another view

Sometimes external factors outweigh personal advantages regardless of effort.

More from Kurt Vonnegut

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  2. There is no reason why good cannot triumph as often as evil. The triumph of anything is a matter of organization. If there are such things as angels, I hope th…

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  3. He ransacked his memory like a thief going through another man's billfold.

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