--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I know I will go to hell, because I…" description: "\"I know I will go to hell, because I pardoned Richard Nixon.\" — Gerald R. Ford" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4eb/gerald-r-ford-2628_forgiveness_i-know-i-will-go-to-hell-because-i-pardo_527208.jpg" --- # I know I will go to hell, because I pardoned Richard Nixon. ![“I know I will go to hell, because I pardoned Richard Nixon.” quote by Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4eb/gerald-r-ford-2628_forgiveness_i-know-i-will-go-to-hell-because-i-pardo_527208.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4eb/gerald-r-ford-2628_forgiveness_i-know-i-will-go-to-hell-because-i-pardo_527208.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4eb/gerald-r-ford-2628_forgiveness_i-know-i-will-go-to-hell-because-i-pardo_527208.jpg) > “I know I will go to hell, because I pardoned Richard Nixon.” [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Ford expresses personal guilt, believing his pardon condemned him morally. **In simple terms:** He feels his pardon was a moral failure. Key Takeaway Reflect on the ethical weight of political decisions. Themes guilt politics morality consequence accountability Mood reflective somber Type political ethical When to use this quote - political decision making - public office - historical analysis Key Concepts ethical responsibility political compromise personal conscience Questions to Reflect On - Is personal conscience more important than political pragmatism? - Can forgiveness be reconciled with personal guilt? A Different Perspective The moral impact of a single act can be debated. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Go to hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/go-to-hell/) [Hell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hell/) [Hell Pardoned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hell-pardoned-4437273/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nixon/) [Pardoned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pardoned/) [Pardoned Richard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pardoned-richard-2960825/) [Richard nixon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/richard-nixon/) ## Related quotes > [ \[Gerald Rudolph \] Ford pardoned Richard Nixon to save everybody that, and the Democrats were ticked about it. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/gerald-rudolph-ford-pardoned-richard-nixon-to-save-everybody-that-and/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [In many ways when Jerry Ford pardoned Nixon, in a certain way, he did speak for the country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/morley-safer/in-many-ways-when-jerry-ford-pardoned-nixon-in-a-certain-way-he-did/) [Morley Safer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/morley-safer/) > [George Washington was the president who could never tell a lie, and Richard Nixon was the president who could never tell the truth. Donald…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/george-washington-was-the-president-who-could-never-tell-a-lie-and/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [John Kennedy won the first televised presidential debate among those watching it, while Richard Nixon won among those listening on the radio.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-estrich/john-kennedy-won-the-first-televised-presidential-debate-among-those/) [Susan Estrich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-estrich/) > [We forced Richard Nixon and the Congress who established, and thanks to your leadership, we supported you and we got the Environmental Protection Act…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/we-forced-richard-nixon-and-the-congress-who-established-and-thanks/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [ Mr. \[Richard M.\] Nixon never has anything but hindsight. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-roosevelt/mr-richard-m-nixon-never-has-anything-but-hindsight/) [Eleanor Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-roosevelt/) > [ \[democrats\] hated Richard Nixon, and no wonder. It was Nixon who sent Alger Hiss to jail, and Nixon who waged the Vietnam War after… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-frum/democrats-hated-richard-nixon-and-no-wonder-it-was-nixon-who-sent/) [David Frum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-frum/) > [The essence of Richard Nixon is loneliness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-a-kissinger/the-essence-of-richard-nixon-is-loneliness/) [Henry A. Kissinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-a-kissinger/) > [For Obama to save himself, he should be thinking about the example of an unlikely Republican predecessor: Richard Nixon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-podhoretz/for-obama-to-save-himself-he-should-be-thinking-about-the-example-of/) [John Podhoretz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-podhoretz/) > [Only a cheap politician, greedy for political gain, would try to single out one individual for blame. The fault lies not with the individual…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pat-paulsen/only-a-cheap-politician-greedy-for-political-gain-would-try-to-single/) [Pat Paulsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pat-paulsen/) > [ I'd almost prefer \[Richard\] Nixon. I'd say \[Bill\] Clinton is every bit as corrupt as Nixon, but a lot smoother. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/i-d-almost-prefer-richard-nixon-i-d-say-bill-clinton-is-every-bit-as/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) > [ \[On Richard M. Nixon:\] Americans began with a president who couldn't tell a lie and now they have one who can't tell the truth. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benazir-bhutto/on-richard-m-nixon-americans-began-with-a-president-who-couldn-t-tell/) [Benazir Bhutto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benazir-bhutto/) > [Experience helped Richard Nixon, but it didn't save him, and it certainly wasn't a blanket endorsement. He blundered terribly in dealing with Vietnam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-dallek/experience-helped-richard-nixon-but-it-didn-t-save-him-and-it/) [Robert Dallek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-dallek/) > [ There were really funny characteristics about this guy \[Richard Nixon\], chief of which would be that he seemed to devote about 85 percent of… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harry-shearer/there-were-really-funny-characteristics-about-this-guy-richard-nixon/) [Harry Shearer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harry-shearer/) > [By disgracing and degrading the presidency of the United States, by fleeing the White House like a diseased cur, Richard Nixon broke the heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hunter-s-thompson/by-disgracing-and-degrading-the-presidency-of-the-united-states-by/) [Hunter S. Thompson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hunter-s-thompson/) ## More by Gerald R. Ford > [My fellow Americans, our long national nightmare is over. Our Constitution works; our great Republic is a government of laws and not of men.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/my-fellow-americans-our-long-national-nightmare-is-over-our/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [One of the enduring truths of the nation's capital is that bureaucrats survive.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/one-of-the-enduring-truths-of-the-nation-s-capital-is-that/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [The old question still remains: Can a free people restrain crime without sacrificing fundamental liberties and a heritage of compassion?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/the-old-question-still-remains-can-a-free-people-restrain-crime/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [In the firm belief that the American public deserves a better explanation than that thus far given by the Air Force, I strongly recommend…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/in-the-firm-belief-that-the-american-public-deserves-a-better/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [The Federal role in overcoming barriers to needed health care should emphasize health care financing programs-such as Medicare and Medicaid.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/the-federal-role-in-overcoming-barriers-to-needed-health-care-should/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [America now is stumbling through the darkness of hatred and divisiveness. Our values, our principles, and our determination to succeed as a free and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/america-now-is-stumbling-through-the-darkness-of-hatred-and/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [The political lesson of Watergate is this: Never again must America allow an arrogant, elite guard of political adolescents to by-pass the regular party…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/the-political-lesson-of-watergate-is-this-never-again-must-america/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [This is an hour of history that troubles our minds and hurts our hearts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/this-is-an-hour-of-history-that-troubles-our-minds-and-hurts-our/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [In a democracy, the public has a right to know not only what the government decides, but why and by what process.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/in-a-democracy-the-public-has-a-right-to-know-not-only-what-the/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [I had a life-long ambition to be a professional baseball player, but nobody would sign me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/i-had-a-life-long-ambition-to-be-a-professional-baseball-player-but/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [It's more like it is now than it ever has been.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/it-s-more-like-it-is-now-than-it-ever-has-been/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [Let America symbolize humanity's struggle to conquer nature and master technology. The time has now come for our Government to facilitate the individual's control…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/let-america-symbolize-humanity-s-struggle-to-conquer-nature-and/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [Personal excellence can be achieved by a visionary goal, through planning, dedicated execution, and total follow-through.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/personal-excellence-can-be-achieved-by-a-visionary-goal-through/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [Now, therefore, I, Gerald R. Ford, President of the United States, pursuant to the pardon power conferred upon me by Article II, Section 2,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/now-therefore-i-gerald-r-ford-president-of-the-united-states-pursuant/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [I had pro offers from the Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers, who were pretty hard up for linemen in those days. If I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/i-had-pro-offers-from-the-detroit-lions-and-green-bay-packers-who/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) [Explore all 157 Gerald R. Ford quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) ## More Forgiveness quotes > [“Lord I come before you, I repent all my sins; forgive me. I repent on behalf of my children forgive them Lord. Help them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/lord-i-come-before-you-i-repent-all-my-sins-forgive-me-i-repent-on/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [Forgiveness is not saying, What you did to me is okay. It is saying, Im not going to let what you did to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/forgiveness-is-not-saying-what-you-did-to-me-is-okay-it-is-saying-im/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [“So in practicing blanket forgiveness you first assume that in any current condition of pain or discomfort there is some anger involved, even if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serge-kahili-king/so-in-practicing-blanket-forgiveness-you-first-assume-that-in-any/) [Serge Kahili King](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/serge-kahili-king/) > [Do what is given to you, and do it well, and you will have done enough...live together in the forgiveness of your sins. Forgive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-what-is-given-to-you-and-do-it-well-and-you-will-have-done-enough/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The public, more often than not, will forgive mistakes, but it will not forgive trying to wiggle out of one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-grizzard/the-public-more-often-than-not-will-forgive-mistakes-but-it-will-not/) [Lewis Grizzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-grizzard/) > [A Real Boyfriend does the sweetest things randomly because he never wants her to feel unappreciated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enhance-dreams/a-real-boyfriend-does-the-sweetest-things-randomly-because-he-never/) [Enhance Dreams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enhance-dreams/) > [“(Evil people) do not believe in forgiveness. Their transgressions are either punished or not punished. That is the only result that matters.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-mchugh/evil-people-do-not-believe-in-forgiveness-their-transgressions-are/) [Daniel McHugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-mchugh/) > [Friendship means understanding, not argument. it means forgiveness, not forgetting. it means the memories last, even if contact is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sokhom/friendship-means-understanding-not-argument-it-means-forgiveness-not/) [Sokhom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sokhom/) > [Grace is the wonderful spirit that imbues every fiber of our being when we practice the fruits of the spirit: kindness, patience, understanding, forgiveness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-cayce/grace-is-the-wonderful-spirit-that-imbues-every-fiber-of-our-being/) [Edgar Cayce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-cayce/) > [One of the most basic principles for making and keeping peace within and between nations. . . is that in political, military, moral, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/one-of-the-most-basic-principles-for-making-and-keeping-peace-within/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [“Have an open mind and heart. Learn to journey in understanding and forgiveness. It's not always going to be easy but it will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-elle/have-an-open-mind-and-heart-learn-to-journey-in-understanding-and/) [Alexandra Elle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-elle/) > [Forgive us our trespasses," says Margarethe, "and get out of our way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-maguire/forgive-us-our-trespasses-says-margarethe-and-get-out-of-our-way/) [Gregory Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-maguire/) > [“ving self and others is an every second of every day of every week, of every month, of every year gift that should not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanjo-jendayi/ving-self-and-others-is-an-every-second-of-every-day-of-every-week-of/) [Sanjo Jendayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanjo-jendayi/) > [Forgive yourself for not being the richest, the thinnest, the tallest, the one with the best hair. Forgive yourself for not being the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/forgive-yourself-for-not-being-the-richest-the-thinnest-the-tallest/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [If you can't forgive and forget, pick only one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-brault/if-you-can-t-forgive-and-forget-pick-only-one/) [Robert Brault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-brault/) [Browse all 8,311 Forgiveness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I know I will go to hell, because I pardoned Richard Nixon.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gerald R. 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