The President of the United States should strive to be always mindful of the fact that he serves his party best who serves his country best.
Rutherford B. HayesRead
Unjust attacks on public men do them more good than unmerited praise.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Public criticism can be more beneficial than insincere compliments for leaders.
Rutherford B. Hayes suggests that unjust criticism of public figures can serve as a form of accountability and encourage them to improve, whereas empty praise may lead to complacency. This highlights the importance of honest feedback in leadership and the growth that can come from facing challenges rather than merely receiving accolades.
Themes
CriticismLeadershipPublic FiguresAccountabilityPraise
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech addressing future leaders, this quote can remind them that facing criticism is part of growth.
More from Rutherford B. Hayes
All quotes βPersonally I do not resort to force - not even the force of law - to advance moral reforms. I prefer education, argument, persuasion, and above all the influence of example - of fashion.
Rutherford B. HayesRead
Nothing brings out the lower traits of human nature like office-seeking. Men of good character and impulses are betrayed by it into all sorts of meanness.
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Wars will remain while human nature remains. I believe in my soul in cooperation, in arbitration; but the soldier's occupation we cannot say is gone until human nature is gone.
Rutherford B. HayesRead
The bold enterprises are the successful ones. Take counsel of hopes rather than of fears to win in this business.
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It is the desire of the good people of the whole country that sectionalism as a factor in our politics should disappear.
Rutherford B. HayesRead
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