"One of the enduring problems with certain societies in the world - and this is certainly true of a lot of places in the Middle East - is that the capacity for self-governance and self-organizing just isn't there. It has to do with history."

Action

Create & Download Quote Image

Select Template

Insight & Reflection

This reflection on action by P. J. O'Rourke resonates across generations. It highlights a fundamental truth about human nature: our continuous search for meaning in action is what ultimately defines our character and our path forward.

About P. J. O'Rourke

Patrick Jake O'Rourke was an American author, journalist, and political satirist who wrote twenty-two books on subjects as diverse as politics, cars, etiquette, and economics. His books Parliament of Whores and Give War a Chance both reached No. 1 on The New York Times bestseller list.

More quotes by P. J. O'Rourke  ’
Editorial Note: This quote is curated and fact-checked by the Quotes Archive Editorial Team. Verified Literature Specialist.

More by P. J. O'Rourke

"Creativity is seeing what everyone has seen, but thinking what no one else thought. Such is the immutable nature of understanding."

Read more  ’

More about Action

"Now I know that Wal-Mart's policies do not reflect the best way of doing business and the values that I think are important in America."

Read more  ’

"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same."

Read more  ’

"You do the work and you want people to see it; but, um while I'm doing the work, the result doesn't matter at all to me. Ultimately, I don't, I don't care whether the film is - you know - some big giant box-office bonanza and I don't care if its a complete flop. To me, when a film gets made and it's actually finished it's a success. They're all a success in their own way."

Read more  ’
View all Action quotes  ’