Reality Before Ideals

 

“Don’t overlook the real world by going too far in pursuing the ideal world.” This quote comes from Konosuke Matsushita (1894–1989), one of Japan’s most renowned entrepreneurs. His message was clear: do not leave the resolution of pressing, real-world problems to others. Instead, face them directly and work through them yourself, guided by true independence and autonomy, rather than simply talking about ideals or dreams. Only after addressing reality should the pursuit of ideals follow—never the other way around. This perspective reflects a defining quality of a great business leader like Matsushita, who consistently solved complex management challenges while upholding his company’s ideals. Such an attitude of practical yet principled thinking is valuable not only for entrepreneurs but also for idealists and realists in any field.

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