“I gave ’em a sword. And they stuck it in, and they twisted it with relish. And I guess if I had been in their position, I’d have done the same thing.”
- January 9, 1913 – April 22, 1994
- American
- The 37th President of the United States, Lawyer, Politician
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Quote
“I gave ’em a sword. And they stuck it in, and they twisted it with relish. And I guess if I had been in their position, I’d have done the same thing.”
Explanation
In this quote, Richard Nixon offers a dramatic and emotionally charged reflection on the media and political reaction to his actions during the Watergate scandal. By stating, “I gave ’em a sword,” he acknowledges that his own mistakes—particularly the cover-up and misuse of power—provided his critics with the opportunity to bring him down. The imagery of the sword being “stuck in and twisted with relish” conveys a sense of betrayal and intense, even gleeful retribution. Yet Nixon tempers this with a note of resigned understanding, admitting that in their position, he too might have acted similarly.
This quote was delivered during his famous 1977 interviews with journalist David Frost, when Nixon attempted to explain his mindset and actions during his presidency. It reflects a complex blend of self-pity, accountability, and bitterness, revealing a man who recognized his role in his own downfall, but who also felt deeply wounded by how others responded to it. The metaphor of the sword suggests not only culpability, but also a kind of tragic inevitability—that once the weapon was offered, it was bound to be used.
In modern political discourse, the quote serves as a vivid lesson in how personal conduct can undermine even the highest office, and how public figures must accept that their actions invite scrutiny and consequences. Nixon’s words offer a rare combination of personal responsibility and empathy for his adversaries, making it one of the most human and introspective lines he ever uttered. It remains a stark reminder that in politics, missteps can be fatal, and the court of public opinion spares few when truth and power collide.
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