“Never Retract. Source Never Explain. Get It Done and Let Them Howl.”
High-stakes leadership often demands thick skin. Critics will always voice their opposition. However, effective leaders must push forward regardless of the noise. This powerful maxim captures that spirit of determination perfectly. It serves as a blunt reminder to focus on results rather than public opinion. Indeed, the history behind these words is as fascinating as the advice itself.
We often attribute this quote to a single famous figure. The Famous 5 – Library and Archives Canada Yet, the truth reveals a more complex story. The phrase actually evolved over decades. It emerged from a mix of Victorian academic circles and political battlegrounds. Therefore, understanding its origins gives us deeper insight into the minds of past reformers.
The Essence of Resolute Leadership
This quote champions a specific style of management. Specifically, it advocates for absolute decisiveness. Leaders often face paralysis when they worry about every complaint. Consequently, progress stalls. This maxim offers a remedy. It suggests that explanation often signals weakness. Instead, action speaks for itself.
Furthermore, the “howl” imagery is particularly vivid. It reduces critics to mere background noise. They become temporary obstacles rather than valid roadblocks. Thus, the leader maintains focus on the ultimate goal. This philosophy does not suggest ignoring valid feedback. Rather, it warns against letting vocal minorities derail necessary changes.
Many historical figures adopted this mindset. They understood that significant reform always generates friction. If you stop to explain every move, you will never finish the job. Therefore, you must trust your vision. You must execute your plan. Finally, you must let the results justify your methods.
The Mystery Behind the Maxim
Identifying the true author of this quote is difficult. History offers several candidates. Benjamin Jowett, a renowned scholar at Oxford, frequently receives the credit. Alternatively, people point to Elbert Hubbard, the American writer. Some even cite Nellie McClung, the Canadian activist. However, the evidence tells a different story.
Research indicates that no single person invented the entire phrase at once. Instead, it grew organically. It combined existing rhetorical styles with practical political advice. Different speakers added their own flair over time. Eventually, these fragments coalesced into the powerful motto we know today.
Specifically, the investigation leads us back to the late 19th century. During this time, rhetorical patterns involving the word “never” were quite popular. Writers loved the punchy, repetitive rhythm. Consequently, this stylistic trend helped shape the maxim’s final form.
Benjamin Jowett’s Role
Benjamin Jowett plays a central role in this narrative. Source He served as the Master of Balliol College at Oxford. In 1895, a publication called The Journal of Education connected him to the quote. Lionel Arthur Tollemache, a writer who knew Jowett, recounted the story. .
According to Tollemache, Jowett did not claim authorship himself. Instead, Jowett cited an unnamed acquaintance. This friend reportedly possessed great practical ability. He lived by three rules: never retract, never explain, and get it done. Jowett apparently found these rules amusing. He would repeat them with a characteristic laugh.
This distinction is crucial. Jowett acted as a messenger, not the creator. He popularized the sentiment among his students and peers. Yet, he explicitly credited another source. Unfortunately, the identity of that “practical friend” remains a mystery. We may never know who originally uttered the complete phrase.
Early Roots and the “Howl”
The phrase’s components appeared even earlier than 1895. For instance, the specific instruction to “let them howl” has deep political roots. We can trace this sentiment back to the mid-19th century. During this period, civil service reform was a hot topic in England.
James Kay-Shuttleworth, a prominent politician, influenced this evolution. He reportedly gave advice to his subordinate, Ralph Lingen. Kay-Shuttleworth told Lingen to complete his work and simply allow the objectors to howl. This exchange supposedly happened between 1846 and 1854. Therefore, the “howl” fragment existed long before the full maxim appeared.
Jowett likely knew both men. He worked closely with Lingen on university reforms. Thus, Jowett probably heard this colorful expression directly from them. He then incorporated it into his repertoire of witty sayings. This demonstrates how great quotes often assemble themselves from bits of conversation.
The Rhetorical Style of the Era
The 1860s saw a rise in specific speech patterns. Writers frequently used the word “never” in rapid succession. It created a sense of authority and finality. For example, Jowett himself used this technique in personal letters. He once advised Alfred Tennyson’s children to “Never Fear” and “Never Cry.”
Poets also adopted this style. Robert Browning included a similar sequence in his 1864 poetry collection. He wrote about speaking one’s mind without bragging or blustering. Clearly, the repetition of “never” was a fashionable literary device. It made advice easier to remember.
Newspapers utilized this format too. In 1869, the New York Tribune criticized a rival paper using this exact structure. They claimed the London Times “never apologizes” and “never retracts.” This usage connects the rhetorical style directly to journalism. It sets the stage for the maxim’s later popularity in media circles.
American Adaptations and Journalism
The philosophy crossed the Atlantic quickly. American journalists found the sentiment particularly appealing. It suited the rough-and-tumble world of 19th-century reporting. One notable example involves Wilbur F. Storey. He owned a newspaper in Chicago.
Storey faced a confrontation with Senator Charles B. Farwell in 1889. The senator complained about false accusations in the paper. Storey’s response was legendary. He told Farwell that his paper never retracted and never explained. He argued that controversy dies if you ignore it. Storey claimed that explaining only adds fuel to the fire.
Similarly, a Virginia columnist praised the Alexandria Gazette in 1891. He admired the paper because it ignored criticism. He noted that the paper proceeded in its own delightful way. This proves the philosophy had permeated American culture. It became a badge of honor for defiant publishers.
Famous Misattributions and Later Use
Over time, the quote attached itself to various famous names. This often happens with catchy sayings. For instance, many sources credit Elbert Hubbard. Hubbard was a master of aphorisms. In 1903, he published a version of the quote in his magazine. However, he correctly attributed it to Jowett at the time.
Later, confusion arose. People began citing Hubbard as the originator. This is a common historical error. The publisher often eclipses the author. Nevertheless, Hubbard certainly helped spread the maxim to a wider American audience. His endorsement gave it fresh life in the 20th century.
Nellie McClung also utilized the phrase effectively. In 1924, she included it in a speech. She advised women to pursue their goals without apology. Her usage shows the quote’s versatility. It moved from male-dominated politics into the women’s rights movement. It empowered a new generation of activists to ignore their detractors.
Conclusion
The maxim “Never Retract, Never Explain, Get It Done and Let Them Howl” is more than just a clever saying. It represents a lineage of resilient leadership. It originated from the practical struggles of Victorian reformers. It traveled through the halls of Oxford and the newsrooms of Chicago. Finally, it found a voice in the fight for social equality.
Today, the advice remains relevant. Leaders still face the “howl” of opposition. The temptation to over-explain is stronger than ever in our connected world. Yet, the core truth persists. Action yields results. Apologies often yield nothing. Sometimes, the best course is to simply finish the work and let the critics make their noise.