“Most of our faults are more pardonable than the means we use to conceal them.”
(Francois duc de la Rochefoucauld)

For Nixon, it wasn’t so much the campaign to discredit his opponents (although illegal), it was the cover up that followed.

For Clinton, it wasn’t the marital indiscretion (although immoral), it was the lying about sex with that woman.

These are classic cases of leaders failing to simply own their mistakes, apologize with integrity, and move on with humility.

We would be wise to heed their examples whenever we:

—forget an appointment
—show up late to a dinner
—carelessly mention something in public that was supposed to be confidential
—change our mind at the last second (in a way that affects others)
—yell at our children

Instead of hemming & hawing, making up a believable lie, or blaming our behavior on others, let’s just learn from the mistakes of others. Let’s just own it.

Peace begins with pause,