[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"$fmO5a_W6oWU9XDalMzGuHaoMcQIBogET6aS-kl700kJU":3,"$fP9O66A4YYUF6HrFY06-l3l5zXfW7tK-fJ4S_SQGYPX4":13},{"author":4,"tags":12},{"author_id":5,"author_name":6,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"bio":9,"short_bio":10,"slug":11,"image_url":10},141610,"Meg Greenfield","M",20,"### Full Name and Common Aliases\nMeg Greenfield was born Margaret A. Greene on March 16, 1930.\n\n### Birth and Death Dates\nMarch 16, 1930 - May 21, 1999\n\n### Nationality and Profession(s)\nAmerican journalist and critic of politics, literature, and culture.\n\n### Early Life and Background\nMeg Greenfield was born in New York City to a family that valued education. She grew up with a strong interest in reading and writing, often devouring books from her local library. Her father's profession as a salesman instilled in her the importance of clear communication and effective expression.\n\nGreenfield attended Hunter College High School in Manhattan before pursuing higher education at Barnard College, Columbia University. After graduating in 1950 with honors, she went on to earn a master's degree in English literature from Yale University in 1952.\n\n### Major Accomplishments\nThroughout her illustrious career, Greenfield held various positions as a journalist and critic:\n\n* She began writing for _The New Yorker_ in the late 1960s, becoming one of the magazine's most prominent columnists.\n* As an expert on politics and literature, she penned numerous articles on notable figures like LBJ and Richard Nixon, as well as literary figures such as William Faulkner and T.S. Eliot.\n* In addition to her writing for _The New Yorker_, Greenfield also contributed to publications like _Vogue_ and _Harper's Bazaar_.\n\n### Notable Works or Actions\nSome of Greenfield's most significant contributions include:\n\n* Her insightful analysis on the literary world, which not only enhanced readers' understanding but also raised awareness about issues facing writers.\n* Through her columns, she critiqued societal norms and the people in power, often challenging prevailing views.\n* In 1974, Greenfield wrote a series of articles on Richard Nixon's presidency for _The New Yorker_, contributing to the country's growing distrust of its leaders.\n\n### Impact and Legacy\nMeg Greenfield left an indelible mark on American journalism. Her ability to combine literary expertise with journalistic acumen elevated the quality of writing in her field. As a result, she gained immense respect from readers, fellow writers, and notable figures:\n\n* Her critiques were known for their insight and nuance.\n* In 1989, Greenfield was awarded a Pulitzer Prize Special Citation \"for her insightful commentary on contemporary politics, literature, and culture.\"\n* Many notable authors and journalists have cited Greenfield as an inspiration.\n\n### Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered\nMeg Greenfield's sharp wit and incisive analysis earned her widespread recognition. Her ability to bridge the gap between literary criticism and journalistic writing set a new standard for writers:\n\n* Readers continue to draw upon her insights on politics, literature, and culture.\n* As a role model for aspiring journalists and writers, Greenfield demonstrates that a career can be built through dedication, persistence, and exceptional skill.\n* Her commitment to shedding light on the complexities of human experience continues to inspire new generations.",null,"meg-greenfield",[],{"quotes":14,"pagination":106},[15,23,29,35,42,48,60,71,83,95],{"id":16,"quote_text":17,"author_id":5,"source_id":18,"has_image":19,"author":20,"source":21,"quote_tag":22,"commentary":10},3276048,"Since when do grown men and women, who presume to hold high government office and exercise what they think of as “moral leadership,” require ethics officers to tell them whether it is or isn’t permissible to grab the secretary’s behind or redirect public funds to their own personal advantage?",6,false,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":10},{},[],{"id":24,"quote_text":25,"author_id":5,"source_id":18,"has_image":19,"author":26,"source":27,"quote_tag":28,"commentary":10},3276011,"Washington, under Democrats and Republicans, has a profoundly neurotic attitude toward ‘the people.’ It is built on equal parts of suspicion, loathing, fear, respect and dependence.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":10},{},[],{"id":30,"quote_text":31,"author_id":5,"source_id":18,"has_image":19,"author":32,"source":33,"quote_tag":34,"commentary":10},3275980,"Everyone seems to be running against a liar, but nobody seems to be one. Odd – I mean, the math doesn’t work out.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":10},{},[],{"id":36,"quote_text":37,"author_id":5,"source_id":18,"has_image":19,"author":38,"source":39,"quote_tag":40,"commentary":41},3275944,"Everybody’s for democracy in principle. It’s only in practice that the thing gives rise to stiff objections.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":10},{},[],"**The Backstory**\nMeg Greenfield, a renowned journalist and editor, likely penned this quote in the mid-20th century, a time of great social and political upheaval in the United States. As a prominent voice at The Washington Post, Greenfield witnessed the tumultuous years of the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and the Watergate scandal. Her words reflect the skepticism and disillusionment that characterized the era.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nOn the surface, this quote appears to be a wry observation about the disconnect between idealism and pragmatism. However, Greenfield's statement reveals a more profound truth: that our ideals are often a facade for our self-interest and a desire for control. By acknowledging the \"stiff objections\" that arise in practice, she exposes the inherent tension between our professed values and the messy realities of human behavior.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset today, consider that your commitment to a principle or ideal should be tested not by its abstract appeal, but by your willingness to confront the practical challenges and compromises that inevitably arise. By doing so, you can distinguish between genuine conviction and mere rhetorical posturing, and cultivate a more nuanced understanding of the complexities that underlie even the most well-intentioned endeavors.",{"id":43,"quote_text":44,"author_id":5,"source_id":18,"has_image":19,"author":45,"source":46,"quote_tag":47,"commentary":10},3275939,"There’s nothing so dangerous for manipulators as people who choose to think for themselves.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":10},{},[],{"id":49,"quote_text":50,"author_id":5,"source_id":51,"has_image":19,"author":52,"source":53,"quote_tag":54,"commentary":10},1553000,"In government and out, there are vast realms of the bureaucracy dedicated to seeking more information, in perpetuity if need be, in order to avoid taking action.",4,{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":10},{},[55],{"id":56,"tag":57},4547321,{"id":58,"tag_name":59},2873,"needs",{"id":61,"quote_text":62,"author_id":5,"source_id":51,"has_image":19,"author":63,"source":64,"quote_tag":65,"commentary":10},1552994,"There is such a thing as tempting the gods. Talking too much, too soon and with too much self-satisfaction has always seemed to me a sure way to court disaster. The forces of retribution are always listening. They never sleep.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":10},{},[66],{"id":67,"tag":68},4547315,{"id":69,"tag_name":70},3188,"sleep",{"id":72,"quote_text":73,"author_id":5,"source_id":51,"has_image":19,"author":74,"source":75,"quote_tag":76,"commentary":82},1552988,"If you were starting from scratch to invent an instrument that could impose fiscal discipline, the last one on earth you would come up with is the United States government.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":10},{},[77],{"id":78,"tag":79},4547309,{"id":80,"tag_name":81},14852,"scratches","**The Backstory**\nMeg Greenfield, a renowned journalist and biographer, likely penned this quote in the late 1970s or early 1980s, during a tumultuous period in American politics. As a columnist for The Washington Post, she was keenly observing the country's fiscal policies and the government's handling of the economy. This quote may have been part of a scathing critique of the federal budget process, where Greenfield exposed the inefficiencies and bureaucratic red tape that hindered effective fiscal decision-making.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nOn the surface, the quote appears to be a biting commentary on the inefficiencies of the US government. However, the deeper nuance lies in the concept of \"imposing fiscal discipline.\" Greenfield is not advocating for a more draconian approach to budgeting but rather highlighting the inherent contradictions in the system. The \"instrument\" she describes is not just a tool for fiscal restraint but also a reflection of the complex interplay between politics, ideology, and economic reality. By acknowledging the flaws in the system, Greenfield encourages us to think creatively about how to redesign and improve it, rather than simply trying to impose discipline on an inherently flawed process.\n\n**How to Use This**\nIn today's fast-paced professional landscape, this quote encourages us to challenge the status quo and question the assumptions underlying our organizational structures and processes. When faced with a complex problem, instead of imposing a rigid solution, take a step back to analyze the underlying dynamics and look for innovative ways to redesign the system, rather than simply trying to force discipline on it.",{"id":84,"quote_text":85,"author_id":5,"source_id":51,"has_image":19,"author":86,"source":87,"quote_tag":88,"commentary":94},1552981,"Everybody's for democracy in principle. It's only in practice that the thing gives rise to stiff objections.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":10},{},[89],{"id":90,"tag":91},4547304,{"id":92,"tag_name":93},15,"freedom","**The Backstory**\nThis quote is attributed to the renowned American journalist and columnist Meg Greenfield, who served as an editorial page editor at The Washington Post from 1974 to 1997. During her tenure, she was known for her incisive commentary on politics and society. This quote likely reflects her observations on the human tendency to idealize democracy in theory, but struggle with its practical applications.\n\n**The Hidden Insight**\nThe hidden insight in this quote lies in its acknowledgment of a fundamental paradox: people often profess to believe in the ideals of democracy, such as equality and freedom, but when faced with the complexities and challenges of implementing these principles in practice, they become hesitant or even opposed. This tension between principle and practice reveals a deeper human ambivalence towards democracy, which can be both empowering and disorienting.\n\n**How to Use This**\nTo apply this mindset today, consider the following strategy: when confronted with the imperfections and difficulties of a democratic process or institution, resist the temptation to abandon your ideals. Instead, approach the challenge as an opportunity to critically examine and refine your principles, and to engage in constructive dialogue with others who may hold differing views.",{"id":96,"quote_text":97,"author_id":5,"source_id":51,"has_image":19,"author":98,"source":99,"quote_tag":100,"commentary":10},1552975,"Everyone seems to be running against a liar, but nobody seems to be one. Odd - I mean, the math doesn't work out.",{"id":5,"author_name":6,"slug":11,"author_name_first_letter":7,"article_count":8,"image_url":10},{},[101],{"id":102,"tag":103},4547296,{"id":104,"tag_name":105},2469,"liars",{"currentPage":107,"totalPages":108,"totalItems":8,"itemsPerPage":109},1,2,10]