"It was my fortune, or misfortune, to be called to the office of Chief Executive without any previous political training"

Ulysses S. Grant's quote reflects his modest attitude and his awareness of the trouble of his position. He acknowledges that it was either his fortune or misery to be designated as Chief Executive without any prior political experience. This suggests that he was aware of the challenges he would face in his brand-new role, but he was also grateful for the opportunity to serve his nation. Grant's quote likewise implies that he was confident in his ability to discover and adjust to the needs of the office. He was willing to take on the difficulty of leading the country in spite of his lack of political training. Grant's quote is a testament to his guts and determination to serve his nation and to do the best job he could.