Characteristics Quote by Harry Shearer
![“There were really funny characteristics about this guy [Richard Nixon], chief of which would be that he seemed to devote about 85 percent of his waking energy to suppressing any sign of his emotional response to anything that was going on around him, and the other 15 percent blurting out those…” quote by Harry Shearer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7f4/harry-shearer-7595_characteristics_there-were-really-funny-characteristics_50569.jpg)
“There were really funny characteristics about this guy [Richard Nixon], chief of which would be that he seemed to devote about 85 percent of his waking energy to suppressing any sign of his emotional response to anything that was going on around him, and the other 15 percent blurting out those authentic responses in the silliest and most inopportune ways. And he had these smiles that would come at the most inappropriate times - just flashes that there was an inner life screaming to get out.”
About This Quote
The quote observes that Nixon spent most of his mental effort hiding his true feelings, letting only brief, ill‑timed out slip through, revealing an inner emotional life suppressed by his public persona.
In simple terms: Nixon concealed emotions, occasional outbursts betray inner life.
Key Takeaway
Public image can mask authentic emotional currents.
Themes
psychology
politics
authenticity
self‑control
image management
Mood
ironic
critical
reflective
Type
observation
character sketch
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- media interviews
- high‑stakes negotiations
- public speaking
Key Concepts
cognitive dissonance
emotional suppression
public persona
Practical Applications
- leadership training
- media coaching
Questions to Reflect On
- How does emotional suppression affect decision‑making?
- What are the risks of revealing authentic feelings in leadership?
A Different Perspective
Some argue that such emotional restraint can be a strategic advantage, allowing leaders to appear composed under pressure.
