Quote by Rick Warren

“THE STORY OF DENNIS KOZLOWSKI is a real-life parable of the good life conceived as wine, women, and song, with the power to replenish supplies at the snap of one’s fingers. While the dimensions of his appetites make the story grotesque, their out-sized character makes it easier to see our common longings for what they are. Kozlowski wanted to be rich. He believed that wealth would lead to limitless pleasure and achievement would lead to fame. He became obsessed with gratifying his own desires, despite the consequences to others. He thus exemplifies the modern American desire for personal autonomy, defined as freedom from all restraints, with the added kick of flouting the law. His ultimate goal became to do just as he pleased—to be his own god. There may be saints immune to these siren songs, but I am not among them, and I doubt that you are either. Bizarre though Kozlowski’s story is, I can identify with him. We both came from modest backgrounds. My view of life was particularly influenced by having seen bread lines in the Depression, and I vowed never to let that happen to me. We both had an enormous drive to succeed.”