"There’s a point where the vanity burns away and you’ve had y..." — Barack Obama

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There’s a point where the vanity burns away and you’ve had your fill of your name in the papers, or big adoring crowds, or the exercise of power. And for me that happened fairly quickly. And then you are really focused on: What am I going to get done with this strange privilege that’s been granted to me? How do I make myself worthy of it?

— Barack Obama

as transcribed by Doris Kearns Goodwin

Barack Obama and Doris Kearns Goodwin: The Ultimate Exit Interview

Strange Privilege Ego Seeing Further Burning Focus

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