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Meaning
The quote suggests that people often accept respected institutions without questioning whether they truly serve our interests. It points to the need to evaluate prestige separately from actual benefit. In other words, what is admired is not always what is best.
When It Was Said
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Who It Was Said To
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Historical Context
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Source
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Original Language & Translation
Originally said in English.
Did They Really Say It?
No source found on Wikiquote; the quote is listed as attributed to Malcolm Gladwell.
Did You Know?
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About Malcolm Gladwell
British-Canadian journalist, author, and public speaker
Malcolm Gladwell is a British-Canadian journalist, author, and public speaker. He has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1996, and he is known for books that bring ideas from social science, business, and culture to a wide general audience. He has published eight books. He also hosts the podcast Revisionist History and co-founded Pushkin Industries, a podcast company. His work often looks at why people and institutions think and behave as they do.
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Books by Malcolm Gladwell
Blink
2007
Outliers
2008
David and Goliath
2013
What the dog saw and other adventure stories
2009
The Bomber Mafia
2021