Able Quote by Susan Rice
“If you're trying to get something done, there will always be people who don't want to see you get something done, or who have a stake in the status quo. And if they approach that through ad hominem criticism of you, you've got to have enough confidence and thickness of skin to be able to endure.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public remarks, 2015, United Nations General Assembly
People resistant to change often attack the messenger; resilience is needed to withstand personal criticism while pursuing goals.
In simple terms: Resilient people ignore personal attacks when pushing progress.
Build confidence and thick skin.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- leadership
- activism
- policy reform
- organizational change
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you differentiate constructive criticism from ad hominem attacks?
- What strategies strengthen your emotional resilience?
Critics may be motivated by fear, not merit, making it hard to discern constructive feedback.