Early life Quote by Hugh Brogan
““his genius (for that it undoubtedly was) lay in a certain hot, instinctive cunning which told him how to win power, headlines and a passionately loyal following by manipulating the worst impulses and most entire weaknesses of his fellow-countrymen. He was a liar on a truly amazing scale, telling so many lies, so often, and in such a tangled fashion that Hercules himself could not have completed their refutation, for new falsehoods sprouted faster than old ones could be rebutted. In early life he lost all respect for the pieties and hypocrisies that governed most American politicians and voters, and was therefore able to see quite clearly that the penalties for defying these shibboleths were small, the possible rewards enormous. He lied his way into his first public office,””
About This Quote
Source Book: Biography of Richard Nixon, 1990s
The subject possessed a cunning, instinctive talent for manipulating public sentiment, using lies and exploiting weaknesses to gain power, reflecting on the ethical decay in politics.
In simple terms: He used deceit and manipulation to rise in politics.
Key Takeaway
Beware charismatic manipulators.
Themes
politics
manipulation
ethics
leadership
Mood
cautionary
critical
Type
political
psychological
When to use this quote
- campaigns
- media strategy
- public speaking
- policy debates
Key Concepts
propaganda
psychological tactics
Questions to Reflect On
- What safeguards can limit political deceit?
- How does charisma mask unethical behavior?
A Different Perspective
His tactics erode public trust.
![“[T]hey are much to be pitied who have not ... been given a taste for Nature in early life. They lose a great deal.” quote by Jane Austen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d07/jane-austen-39_early-life_t-hey-are-much-to-be-pitied-who-have-not_320677.jpg)