“Don’t get the impression that you arouse my anger. You see, one can only be angry with those he respects.”
- January 9, 1913 – April 22, 1994
- American
- The 37th President of the United States, Lawyer, Politician
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Quote
“Don’t get the impression that you arouse my anger. You see, one can only be angry with those he respects.”
Explanation
In this quote, Richard Nixon delivers a cutting remark veiled in calm detachment, suggesting that the subject is beneath his regard, not worthy of emotional investment. The statement “one can only be angry with those he respects” implies that anger, in Nixon’s view, is a form of engagement that presupposes equality or admiration. By denying even that response, Nixon communicates disdain through indifference, asserting a form of superior control and emotional distance.
This line reflects Nixon’s acerbic rhetorical style, often marked by personal grievances and carefully measured contempt. He had a complicated relationship with the press, political opponents, and even members of his own administration, and this type of remark reveals how he often used language to assert dominance without overt confrontation. It fits into a broader pattern of his leadership: valuing tactical restraint over emotional outbursts, while still delivering pointed, psychologically sharp messages.
In the modern context, the quote resonates in environments where power dynamics and personal rivalries are in play, such as politics, business, or public discourse. It serves as a reminder that silence or calmness does not always imply weakness—sometimes, it’s a calculated form of dismissal or superiority. Nixon’s words caution us to consider the role of respect in conflict, and how withholding emotional reaction can sometimes convey more than engagement ever could.
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