"This American system of ours, call it Americanism, call it capitalism, call it what you will, gives each and every one of us a great opportunity if we only seize it with both hands and make the most of it"
- Al Capone
About this Quote
The quote credited to Al Capone, an infamous American gangster of the early 20th century, shows an intricate perspective on the American economic and social system. While Capone is a not likely spokesperson for the virtues of American industrialism or "Americanism," his words use an appealing mix of review and recommendation of the chances within the system.
At its core, the quote recommends a fundamental optimism about the possible and opportunities provided by the American system. Terms like "Americanism" and "industrialism" are synonymous here, stressing a society organized around free-market concepts where anyone, despite their background, in theory has a possibility to succeed. This lines up with the timeless notion of the "American Dream," where success is attainable through hard work and decision.
Nevertheless, given Capone's background and notoriety as a gangster, the quote likewise brings an underlying paradox. Capone took advantage of the very system he recommendations, exploiting its weak points and using illegal methods to generate a fortune. His interpretation of "seizing" opportunities could, therefore, show a broader commentary on the versatility of capitalism to serve those who operate both within and outside the law. This duality exposes how capitalism can be both a path to legitimate success and a system vulnerable to adjustment.
Furthermore, the concept of grabbing chances "with both hands" implies not simply seizing opportunities when they emerge, however strongly pursuing them. This shows a fierce view of commercialism, where assertiveness and opportunism are needed to succeed. It paints an image of a system that rewards the strong and enthusiastic, yet also suggests that those who stop working to seize chances might be left behind.
In a broader context, Capone's quote can be viewed as both a celebration of the possibilities within the American system and a subtle review of its moral obscurities. It recommends that while the system provides terrific benefits, the course to success may not always align with ethical or lawful conduct, as evidenced by Capone's own life.
This quote is written / told by Al Capone between January 17, 1899 and February 25, 1947. He/she was a famous Criminal from USA.
The author also have 10 other quotes.
"To be really great in little things, to be truly noble and heroic in the insipid details of everyday life, is a virtue so rare as to be worthy of canonization"
"The opportunity to create a small world between two pieces of cardboard, where time exists yet stands still, where people talk and I tell them what to say, is exciting and rewarding"
