“Today, if you invent a better mousetrap, the government comes along with a better mouse.”

Simplified Meaning:

When someone comes up with a new idea or innovation, especially something meant to solve a problem, sometimes the government or big organizations create new rules or obstacles that make things harder. Imagine you design a super effective trap that catches all the mice in your house. Instead of fixing the mouse problem, the government might change the rules so you can’t use your trap without complicated permissions, or they might introduce even trickier mice that avoid your trap. This quote is saying that sometimes, when people try to improve things, bigger powers make their lives more difficult instead of easier. For instance, if you create a new, efficient way to produce clean energy, the government could introduce complex regulations that slow you down or make your innovation less impactful. To apply this to your life, it's important to be prepared for new challenges and obstacles that might come from unexpected places when you are trying to make improvements or solve problems. Staying flexible and thinking ahead can help you navigate these difficulties successfully.