Cases Quote by Walter Cronkite
“Would it be better to have a president who cries easily? Well, that depends on what he cried about. I would not like the thought of a president who could not cry. That would be worse than one who cried over the right things. Which, in this case, would be the things I would cry over.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, 1971
A leader's emotional expression matters; appropriate tears show empathy, while inappropriate ones can undermine credibility.
In simple terms: Crying can be good or bad depending on why.
Consider the purpose behind emotions.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political speeches
- media interviews
- personal crises
- public relations
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- When should a leader show vulnerability?
- How do we judge the appropriateness of emotional displays?
Emotions can be misinterpreted without context.