Skip to content
quotesby

The President must be greater than anyone else, but not better than anyone else. We subject him and his family to close and constant scrutiny and denounce them for things that we ourselves do every day. A Presidential slip of the tongue, a slight error in judgment - social, political, or ethical - can raise a storm of protest. We give the President more work than a man can do, more responsibility than a man should take, more pressure than a man can bear. We abuse him often and rarely praise him. We wear him out, use him up, eat him up. And with all this, Americans have a love for the President that goes beyond loyalty or party nationality; he is ours, and we exercise the right to destroy him.

John Steinbeck#7

PoliticsExpectationsLeadershipPressurePublic

About this quote

What does it mean?
Presidents face extreme scrutiny and pressure despite being symbolic leaders.
In plain terms
Presidents are overworked and judged harshly by the public.
What can you take from it?
Leaders face harsh public judgment.

Where it applies

  • political discourse
  • leadership roles
  • media

Putting it to work

  • leadership training
  • public relations
  • media literacy

Questions to consider

  • What should leaders expect?
  • How do we judge leaders?

Another view

High standards may be necessary for accountability.

More from John Steinbeck

  1. The profession of book-writing makes horse-racing seem like a solid, stable business.

    Permalink to quote #6
  2. In utter loneliness a writer tries to explain the inexplicable.

    Permalink to quote #8
  3. Writers are a little below clowns and a little above trained seals.

    Permalink to quote #5

Related quotes

  1. I'm ready to take the blame for all the problems of English football if that is what he wants.

    Arsene WengerArsene Wenger quote #1
  2. The only assurance that I can now give of the future is reference to the past. The course which I have taken in the past in connection with this rebellion must…

    Andrew JohnsonAndrew Johnson quote #13
  3. Gentlemen of the Convention, your present temper may not mark the healthful pulse of our people. When your enthusiasm has passed, when the emotions of this hou…

    James A. GarfieldJames A. Garfield quote #20