|
|
Article: Nixon, Richard M. 1913-1994
- Article from:
- American Decades
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2001 The Gale Group, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
NIXON, RICHARD M. 1913-1994
President of the united states, 1969-1974
Nixon and His Enemies
As Richard Nixon resigned the presidency in 1974, he left the public with a bit of advice. Speaking to his staff, Nixon said, "Always give your best, never get discouraged, never be petty; always remember, others may hate you, but those who hate you don't win unless you hate them
—
and then you destroy yourself." Ironically, Nixon's downfall was partially precipitated by his own pettiness, by his tendency to despise and hate his own enemies. At times, Nixon seemed to go out of his way to create enemies.
A Humble Background
A certain amount of Nixon's antagonistic character perhaps stemmed ...