"Python is a programming language that lets you work quickly
and integrate systems more effectively." - it's about integration (where dynamic scripting can shine).
"It occurred to me that a scripting language with a syntax like ABC but with access to the Amoeba system calls would fill the need." - it was created as a scripting language.
"Can Python be compiled ...? Not easily. ... a “compiled” Python program would probably consist mostly of calls into the Python run-time system, even for seemingly simple operations like x+1.
...
... improves the start-up time of Python scripts. ... Note that the main script executed by Python ... Usually main scripts are quite short, so this doesn’t cost much speed." - no comments.
Of course now it's increasingly being marketed as a general purpose programming language because it makes devs feel better.
Citation? You're just making stuff up.