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I think the country could be spared a lot of agony and the government could worry about inflation and a lot of other problems if [Nixon would] go on and resign. [There is] no question that an admission of making false statements to government officials and interfering with the FBI and the CIA is an impeachable offense.

Bill Clinton#44

Attribution disputed; shown as originally published.

PoliticsAccountabilityHistoryEthicsResignation

About this quote

What does it mean?
Resignation could spare national agony, and admitting interference with agencies is an impeachable offense.
In plain terms
Resigning would help the country, and lying to officials is grounds for impeachment.
What can you take from it?
Accountability and resignation can ease national crises.

Where it applies

  • political scandals
  • impeachment hearings
  • crisis management

Putting it to work

  • demand transparency
  • uphold ethical standards
  • accept consequences

Questions to consider

  • When is resignation the right choice?
  • What makes an offense impeachable?

Another view

The statement assumes resignation resolves the underlying issues.

More from Bill Clinton

  1. If I did, I wouldn't tell you.

    Permalink to quote #43
  2. Today, future belongs to freedom, not to fear.

    Permalink to quote #45
  3. Webb, if I put you over at Justice I want you to find the answers to two questions for me. One, who killed JFK? And two, are there UFOs?

    Permalink to quote #42

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