Thomas Brackett Reed
January 2, 1894
“I would rather be right than president,” declared William McKendree Springer, Democrat from Illinois, on the floor of the House.
“The gentleman needn’t worry,” replied Thomas Brackett Reed (1839-1902), Republican from Maine and Speaker of the House. “He will never be either.”
That famous exchange took place in the late nineteenth century, but the sentiment expressed by Congressman Springer may well be timeless in human affairs. Whether the venue be public or domestic, the context political or personal, many of us attach inordinate value to being right. We would rather be right than president–or fair, or peaceful, or humane. (more…)
One Time, One Meeting 