Administration Quote by Abraham Lincoln
“I certainly know that if the war fails, the administration fails, and that I will be blamed for it, whether I deserve it or not. And I ought to be blamed, if I could do better. You think I could do better; therefore you blame me already. I think I could not do better; therefore I blame you for blaming me.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Gettysburg Address, 1863
The speaker acknowledges personal responsibility and the tendency to assign blame regardless of performance, highlighting the paradox of expectation and accountability.
In simple terms: People blame each other whether they succeed or fail.
Key Takeaway
Accept responsibility and seek improvement.
Themes
responsibility
accountability
leadership
Mood
reflective
serious
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- government decisions
- military strategy
- public criticism
- personal performance review
Key Concepts
political
psychology
ethics
Questions to Reflect On
- How do expectations shape accountability?
- When is blame justified?
A Different Perspective
Blame can be unfair when circumstances limit control.
![“I'm quite honored by it. They [people] tell me that , 'If it hadn't of been for you, I wouldn't have played drums.' Hey, don't blame me, I was just up there doing my stuff. So no, I never take it as any real pressure.” quote by Ringo Starr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/cfa/ringo-starr-3090_blame_i-m-quite-honored-by-it-they-people-tell_149082.jpg)
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
