“I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is opposed to every instinct in my body. But as president I must put the interests of America first. Therefore, I shall resign the presidency effective at noon tomorrow.”
- January 9, 1913 – April 22, 1994
- American
- The 37th President of the United States, Lawyer, Politician
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Quote
“I have never been a quitter. To leave office before my term is completed is opposed to every instinct in my body. But as president I must put the interests of America first. Therefore, I shall resign the presidency effective at noon tomorrow.”
Explanation
This quote comes from Richard Nixon’s resignation speech, delivered on August 8, 1974, marking the first and only time a U.S. president has resigned from office. By beginning with “I have never been a quitter,” Nixon frames his decision as an agonizing break from his personal values and lifelong tenacity. The phrase “opposed to every instinct in my body” underscores the emotional and moral conflict he faced, presenting his resignation not as capitulation, but as an act of reluctant duty and sacrifice.
The core of the quote—“I must put the interests of America first”—positions his resignation as an act of national service, rather than self-preservation. With the Watergate scandal having eroded public trust, triggered bipartisan calls for impeachment, and paralyzed his administration, Nixon concluded that his continued presence in office would do more harm than good. By setting the resignation for “noon tomorrow,” he conveyed a sense of finality and formality, ensuring a peaceful and orderly transfer of power to Vice President Gerald Ford.
In historical and contemporary terms, this quote stands as a defining moment of constitutional integrity and political accountability. It highlights the gravity of the presidency and the necessity of placing country above personal ambition, especially in moments of crisis. Nixon’s words, while colored by the scandal that forced them, serve as a powerful reminder that leadership sometimes requires stepping aside for the greater good, and that the preservation of democratic institutions must always take precedence over individual survival.
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