--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Washington has always had a pretty…" description: "\"Washington has always had a pretty healthy amount of self-loathing.\" — Mark Leibovich" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51e/mark-leibovich-14257_always_washington-has-always-had-a-pretty-healt_312894.jpg" --- # Washington has always had a pretty healthy amount of… ![“Washington has always had a pretty healthy amount of self-loathing.” quote by Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51e/mark-leibovich-14257_always_washington-has-always-had-a-pretty-healt_312894.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51e/mark-leibovich-14257_always_washington-has-always-had-a-pretty-healt_312894.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51e/mark-leibovich-14257_always_washington-has-always-had-a-pretty-healt_312894.jpg) > “Washington has always had a pretty healthy amount of self-loathing.” [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Washington’s political culture often includes self‑criticism and low self‑esteem. **In simple terms:** Washington is prone to self‑loathing. Key Takeaway Recognize self‑criticism to improve political discourse. Themes politics self‑esteem culture Mood analytical critical Type journalistic observational When to use this quote - campaign strategy - public speaking - policy debate Key Concepts political science media analysis Questions to Reflect On - Why do leaders embrace self‑criticism? - How can a political culture balance humility and confidence? A Different Perspective Self‑loathing can hinder confidence and leadership. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Health](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/health/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self loathing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-loathing/) [Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/washington/) ## Related quotes > [“Don't worry, nothing speaks louder than a lifetime of regret and self-loathing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecelia-ahern/don-t-worry-nothing-speaks-louder-than-a-lifetime-of-regret-and-self/) [Cecelia Ahern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecelia-ahern/) > [I procrastinate to a point where I'm filled with self-loathing and then I start writing. It's usually a state of self-loathing that gets me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lewis/i-procrastinate-to-a-point-where-i-m-filled-with-self-loathing-and/) [Michael Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lewis/) > [Nothing is loathsomer than the self-loathing of a self one loathes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barth/nothing-is-loathsomer-than-the-self-loathing-of-a-self-one-loathes/) [John Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barth/) > [Certain people give off positive energy, others negative. It's the quality of someone's being, a measure of the love with which they've led their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-orloff/certain-people-give-off-positive-energy-others-negative-it-s-the/) [Judith Orloff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-orloff/) > [When you talk to a young teenage girl, they're just full of self-loathing. The reason they feel self-loathing is they don't feel normal. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caitlin-moran/when-you-talk-to-a-young-teenage-girl-they-re-just-full-of-self/) [Caitlin Moran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caitlin-moran/) > [Self-loathing is the silent hemorrhaging of the soul. You don't feel or see the life force fleeing until it's not longer there, and then,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-ban-breathnach/self-loathing-is-the-silent-hemorrhaging-of-the-soul-you-don-t-feel/) [Sarah Ban Breathnach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-ban-breathnach/) > [“LARRY--(with increasing bitter intensity, more as if he were fighting with himself than with Hickey) I'm afraid to live, am I?--and even more afraid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-o-neill/larry-with-increasing-bitter-intensity-more-as-if-he-were-fighting/) [Eugene O'Neill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-o-neill/) > [I managed to reach a depth of self-loathing that usually takes a night of drinking to achieve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-bourdain/i-managed-to-reach-a-depth-of-self-loathing-that-usually-takes-a/) [Anthony Bourdain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-bourdain/) > [When money and fame happen too late, it's like pouring kerosene over a fire of self-loathing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bradford-cox/when-money-and-fame-happen-too-late-it-s-like-pouring-kerosene-over-a/) [Bradford Cox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bradford-cox/) > [It was a very excellent day over there at HBO/Cinemax when they bought 'Powers' . I felt like I graduated television college, because they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-michael-bendis/it-was-a-very-excellent-day-over-there-at-hbo-cinemax-when-they/) [Brian Michael Bendis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-michael-bendis/) > [When you work at home, fellow alums, discipline is the supreme virtue. Suicidal self-loathing lurks behind every coffee break. Activities must be expertly scheduled,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-lipsyte/when-you-work-at-home-fellow-alums-discipline-is-the-supreme-virtue/) [Sam Lipsyte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-lipsyte/) > [I don't trust anyone who hasn't been self-destructiv e in some way, and who hasn't gone through some sort of bout of self-loathing. You've…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-depp/i-don-t-trust-anyone-who-hasn-t-been-self-destructiv-e-in-some-way/) [Johnny Depp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-depp/) > [Change your thoughts, change your life. —LAO TZU When I was fighting depression, I remember hearing this expression and not understanding it at first.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/demi-lovato/change-your-thoughts-change-your-life-lao-tzu-when-i-was-fighting/) [Demi Lovato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/demi-lovato/) > [Listen, young people, I understand narcissism - clearly. But at least I have the decency to hate myself. And that's what's missing from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janeane-garofalo/listen-young-people-i-understand-narcissism-clearly-but-at-least-i/) [Janeane Garofalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janeane-garofalo/) > [A World filled with self Love and self loathing. Surely I am on the wrong f\*\*king planet...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-nickel/a-world-filled-with-self-love-and-self-loathing-surely-i-am-on-the/) [Eric Nickel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-nickel/) ## More by Mark Leibovich > [I have always been a big meta guy because I think the way journalism is practiced in Washington, and the way everyone sort of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/i-have-always-been-a-big-meta-guy-because-i-think-the-way-journalism/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [“The low point occurred in July, during Romney’s junior week abroad, in which the press became increasingly frustrated over Romney’s refusal to talk to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/the-low-point-occurred-in-july-during-romney-s-junior-week-abroad-in/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [To cover politics in Washington allows you to live in the very, very wide gap between what the actual truth is, and how people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/to-cover-politics-in-washington-allows-you-to-live-in-the-very-very/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [Politicians, in many cases - their moral code will be dictated by what can get them reelected, what they can get away with. When…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/politicians-in-many-cases-their-moral-code-will-be-dictated-by-what/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [“The Founding Fathers are always spinning in their graves over something, as is Ronald Reagan, or FDR. Edward R. Murrow is a perennial grave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/the-founding-fathers-are-always-spinning-in-their-graves-over/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [Media has changed dramatically, as you and I know. We're in a world now where you're rewarded for being outrageous. Punditry has replaced reporting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/media-has-changed-dramatically-as-you-and-i-know-we-re-in-a-world-now/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [I always keep my repertorial hat on.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/i-always-keep-my-repertorial-hat-on/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [The shaming of Washington, insofar as it is even possible, is a very noble pursuit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/the-shaming-of-washington-insofar-as-it-is-even-possible-is-a-very/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [Washington has become this place that people don't leave. It has become this permanent feudal class.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/washington-has-become-this-place-that-people-don-t-leave-it-has/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [I'm just a journalist. I shine a mirror to the culture. I give the cop-out answer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/i-m-just-a-journalist-i-shine-a-mirror-to-the-culture-i-give-the-cop/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [“a mantra she attributed to Eleanor Roosevelt: women in politics, she said, “need to develop skin as tough as a rhinoceros hide.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/a-mantra-she-attributed-to-eleanor-roosevelt-women-in-politics-she/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [I work for a big newspaper, and I guess I'm an insider. I don't have the luxury of calling myself a foreign correspondent and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/i-work-for-a-big-newspaper-and-i-guess-i-m-an-insider-i-don-t-have/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [Spirituality in Washington can be more of a - I don't want to say it - but, a networking opportunity. Religion is often used…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/spirituality-in-washington-can-be-more-of-a-i-don-t-want-to-say-it/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [I have been a print reporter my whole career. It's all I ever wanted to be. I specialize in political profiles. I have probably…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/i-have-been-a-print-reporter-my-whole-career-it-s-all-i-ever-wanted/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) > [I think that part of being a good journalist, part of being an awake member of the world you're in, is to view yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/i-think-that-part-of-being-a-good-journalist-part-of-being-an-awake/) [Mark Leibovich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) [Explore all 47 Mark Leibovich quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/) ## More Always quotes > [I think performing has pretty much always been a part of me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isa-briones/i-think-performing-has-pretty-much-always-been-a-part-of-me/) [Isa Briones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isa-briones/) > [I always thought if I was born 2000 years earlier, I would be a monk, probably carving a monastery or some giant pantheon buildings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenova-chen/i-always-thought-if-i-was-born-2000-years-earlier-i-would-be-a-monk/) [Jenova Chen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenova-chen/) > [I always like a character who makes me laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachael-stirling/i-always-like-a-character-who-makes-me-laugh/) [Rachael Stirling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachael-stirling/) > [It's always great to see old friends, especially those I have not been able to see in 15 months.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-regal/it-s-always-great-to-see-old-friends-especially-those-i-have-not-been/) [William Regal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-regal/) > [When you step out and do a song in a musical, the easier thing to do is make it funny. But when those transitions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kelli-o-hara/when-you-step-out-and-do-a-song-in-a-musical-the-easier-thing-to-do/) [Kelli O'Hara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kelli-o-hara/) > [I have really good lateral movement. I've always had quick lateral movement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/austin-rivers/i-have-really-good-lateral-movement-i-ve-always-had-quick-lateral/) [Austin Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/austin-rivers/) > [There is something magical about being able to feel somebody. And that is something that has always moved me with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-brink/there-is-something-magical-about-being-able-to-feel-somebody-and-that/) [Maria Brink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-brink/) > [Mythology is something that always has opportunities to explore. 'It' has been on Earth for millions of years. He's been in contact with humans…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-muschietti/mythology-is-something-that-always-has-opportunities-to-explore-it/) [Andy Muschietti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-muschietti/) > [It's not writing in the traditional sense, but I've always said that the writing process continues on the set and even into the editing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-b-weide/it-s-not-writing-in-the-traditional-sense-but-i-ve-always-said-that/) [Robert B. Weide](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-b-weide/) > [I always watch my matches back 100 times afterwards because that's how I improve. This is something I've always done, even in NXT.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-rose/i-always-watch-my-matches-back-100-times-afterwards-because-that-s/) [Mandy Rose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-rose/) > [I've always been of the idea that is doesn't really matter where you are geographically - with 'Lonerism,' we made half the album in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-parker/i-ve-always-been-of-the-idea-that-is-doesn-t-really-matter-where-you/) [Kevin Parker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-parker/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/) [Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/) > [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/) [Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/) > [Bayern is always a team that can win the Champions League title in Europe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lothar-matthaus/bayern-is-always-a-team-that-can-win-the-champions-league-title-in/) [Lothar Matthaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lothar-matthaus/) Browse all 36,048 Always quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Washington has always had a pretty healthy amount of self-loathing.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mark Leibovich" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/washington-has-always-had-a-pretty-healthy-amount-of-self-loathing/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Always" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/washington-has-always-had-a-pretty-healthy-amount-of-self-loathing/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51e/mark-leibovich-14257_always_washington-has-always-had-a-pretty-healt_312894.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51e/mark-leibovich-14257_always_washington-has-always-had-a-pretty-healt_312894.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/51e/mark-leibovich-14257_always_washington-has-always-had-a-pretty-healt_312894.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Washington has always had a pretty healthy amount of self-loathing.” — Mark Leibovich", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Mark Leibovich", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-leibovich/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Washington has always had a pretty...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/washington-has-always-had-a-pretty-healthy-amount-of-self-loathing/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-leibovich/washington-has-always-had-a-pretty-healthy-amount-of-self-loathing/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```