Eliot Spitzer Plagiarizes in Resignation Speech
March 14th, 2008 . by MartyInteresting that Eliot Spitzer could afford the talents of Ashley Alexander Dupre (aka “Kristen“), but he obviously had no money left for a decent speechwriter when it came time for his resignation. Loyal readers know that we’ve dwelled here in the last couple weeks on “plagiarism” and “misappropriation” of quotes. The lesson is, when there’s a dispute, then attribute. But maybe Eliot Spitzer should have been reading the blog.
In his resignation speech the other day, he said “From those to whom much is given, much is expected.” At first I thought that was from Spiderman, but actually it’s from Bill Gates’ mother. As Bill put it in his commencement speech to Harvard on June 7, 2007:
My mother was very ill with cancer at the time, but she saw one more opportunity to deliver her message, and at the close of the letter she said: “From those to whom much is given, much is expected.”
Of course, the similar quote appears elsewhere - from George Bush to John F. Kennedy, Jr. In fact, there’s a fascninating history of the phrase posted by Mark Lieberman at Penn.
Spitzer continues in the speech: “our greatest glory consists not in never falling but in rising every time we fall.” A terrific line. And one that sounded great when British writer Oliver Goldsmith said it in the 18th Century.
This guy just makes one mistake after another. Talk about digging himself a hole. The best thing about the Internet is that chances are someone like you is paying attention and ready to catch cheats out.
Thanks for the link!
Yes, a brilliant point, Martie. So brilliant, in fact, that I heard your nemesis Marnie Vander Helsing say the same thing last night on Hardball. One step behind, Eisenstadt…
Yes, well, marnie_fan34, be that as it may, I’ll have you know that what the always “instructive” (and I regret to admit not entirely charm-free) Ms. Marnie Vander Helsing neglected to say was that I texted her that very observation this afternoon when it looked like Hardball was going to organize the satellite link to Dubai for MY appearance. Apparently the sat-time that was too expensive for them (basic cable!) and Marnie got the booking. And the - ahem - “scoop.”