I went to the White House shortly after tea where I found 'the original gorilla,' about as intelligent as ever. What a specimen to be at the head of our affairs now!
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A private observation mocking a colleague's intellect and fitness for leadership.
- In plain terms
- This person is not smart enough to lead.
- What can you take from it?
- Never assume competence just because someone holds office.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do you assess leadership quality?
- When is mockery warranted in politics?
Another view
Relies on personal animosity and lacks constructive critique.
More from Abraham Lincoln
Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great be…
Permalink to quote #154 Lincoln's proclamation is even more important than the Maryland campaign. Lincoln is a sui generis figure in the annals of history. He has no initiative, no id…
Permalink to quote #156 Now let it be written in history and on Mr. Lincoln's tombstone: 'He died an unbeliever.'
Permalink to quote #153
Related quotes
A foreign minister who knew little of foreign affairs and nothing of foreign policy.
Joachim von RibbentropJoachim von Ribbentrop quote #12 Stalin's methods did not help.
Anastas MikoyanAnastas Mikoyan quote #1 He was a fairly competent chairman of Housing [on Lambeth Council]. Every time he gets up now I keep thinking, 'What on earth is Councillor Major doing?' I can…
Tony BanksTony Banks quote #4