The first and most essential quality of a presidential…
““The first and most essential quality of a presidential candidate, as Averell Harriman once pointed out, is that he should lust for the job - he should want it more than all things, with a passion surpassing all emotion and probably even all principle.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A presidential candidate must desire the office more than anything, driven by intense passion that outweighs emotion and principle.
In simple terms: Candidates need overwhelming desire for the role.
Cultivate deep passion for leadership.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- campaigns
- career decisions
- public service
- personal ambition
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you prioritize desire over principle?
- How can passion be balanced with ethics?
Passion may blind ethical judgment.