One wanted to "elevate the world's consciousness". Another aspired to "make a bigger difference around the world". A third, speaking of climate change, said: "We owe it to our children to find the right answers."
This soaring rhetoric did not emanate from motivational speakers or religious leaders. It was uttered by wealthy chief executives hoping to curry favour with a public desperate to be inspired. Ultimately, their idealism counted for little.
Already a subscriber? Log in
Read the full story and more at $9.90/month
Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month
ST One Digital
$9.90/month
No contract
ST app access on 1 mobile device
Unlock these benefits
All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com
Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device
E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you