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About this quote

What does it mean?
Kennedy warns that a lack of purpose and dignity, driven by materialism, erodes community values and excellence.
In plain terms
He says chasing material things makes us lose purpose and community.
What can you take from it?
Prioritize purpose and dignity over material accumulation.

Where it applies

  • personal reflection
  • community meetings
  • educational curricula

Putting it to work

  • encourage volunteerism
  • promote arts
  • reduce consumerist messaging

Questions to consider

  • Why do we equate material wealth with success?
  • How can we restore community excellence?

Another view

Changing deep‑rooted consumer habits is difficult.

More from Robert F. Kennedy

  1. All of us, from the wealthiest to the young children that I have seen in this country, in this year, bloated by starvation - we all share one precious possessi…

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  2. As long as America must choose, that long will there be a need and a place for the Democratic Party. We Democrats can run on our record but we cannot rest on i…

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  3. All great questions must be raised by great voices, and the greatest voice is the voice of the people - speaking out - in prose, or painting or poetry or music…

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