That reading of the article is so poor it looks like you are trying to spin it intentionally. The quote without your interpretation does not have any 'enormous

That reading of the article is so poor it looks like you are trying to spin it intentionally. The quote without your interpretation does not have any 'enormous ego' vibes. One clear alternative interpretation is that he was being railroaded via office politics, wasn't equipped to deal with the hit to his image a firing would have, and didn't feel he had the energy to deal with it. No 'enormous ego' required. Edit: were you involved in this? Your tone and interpretation made it seem so, and your username 'hulitu'... are you Dr. Li? https://www.csc.ncsu.edu/people/hli83 https://www.csc.ncsu.edu/people/hli83