"As you begin your tour of the United States, you may as well know that one American national trait which irritates many Americans and must be convenient for our critics is that we relentlessly advertise our imperfections"
- Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr.
About this Quote
This quote by Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. is describing the tendency of Americans to be excessively essential of themselves and also their nation. This trait can be seen in the method Americans typically point out their own imperfections and drawbacks, also when they are not being slammed by others. This can be viewed as a positive attribute, as it reveals a determination to be self-reflective and to pursue improvement. However, it can additionally be viewed as a negative quality, as it can be seen as a kind of self-deprecation and can be seen as a sign of insecurity. This quality can be both annoying and practical for critics of the United States, as it provides them with a simple target for objection.
"One has children in the expectation of dying before them. In fact, you want to make damn sure you die before them, just as you plant a tree or build a house knowing, hoping that it will outlive you. That's how the human species has done as well as it has"
"Well, I think any time you delve into this sort of religion, politics, as you well know, you're going to, you know, touch a few nerves. I wasn't - now - and this is the honest truth"
