" It is always a strain when people are being killed. I don’t think anybody has held this job who hasn’t felt personally responsible for those being killed. "
- Lyndon B. Johnson

The quote reflects a profound sense of personal responsibility felt by those in leadership positions during times of conflict or war. It highlights the emotional strain and burden that leaders experience when people under their authority are killed, emphasizing the weight of decision-making in high-stakes situations.

On a deeper level, this statement underscores the complex ethical and moral challenges faced by leaders in positions of power. Leaders often have to make decisions that can result in loss of life, and they must grapple with the consequences of these choices on both a personal and professional level. The quote also suggests that such experiences are not unique to Lyndon B. Johnson but are common among those who hold significant leadership roles during times of crisis or conflict.

Lyndon B. Johnson was the 36th President of the United States, serving from 1963 to 1969 following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. As a leader during a tumultuous period marked by civil rights struggles and the escalation of the Vietnam War, Johnson had to make numerous difficult decisions that affected millions of lives. His reflections on personal responsibility resonate with his experiences as both a congressman and president.