Americanism is a question of principle, of idealism, of character. It is not a matter of birthplace, or creed, or line of descent.
Theodore RooseveltRead
Character, in the long run, is the decisive factor in the life of an individual and of nations alike.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Character determines the true essence of individuals and nations over time.
This quote suggests that the quality of one's character is essential and has a lasting impact on both personal lives and the broader scope of nations. It emphasizes that while external circumstances may change, the fundamental moral and ethical principles that guide individuals will ultimately shape their destinies and the future of societies.
Themes
CharacterIndividualNationsDecisiveFactor
In practice
Example use cases
During a graduation speech to highlight the importance of personal integrity.
More from Theodore Roosevelt
All quotes βIt tires me to talk to rich men. You expect a man of millions, the head of a great industry, to be a man worthhearing; but as a rule they don't know anything outside their own business.
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No man should receive a dollar unless that dollar has been fairly earned.
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Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.
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Conservation means development as much as it does protection._x000D_ _x000D_ A man's usefulness depends upon his living up to his ideals insofar as he can.
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It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; . . . who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.
Theodore RooseveltRead
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We make a space inside ourselves, so that being can speak.
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A civilization, a culture, cannot survive without passion, cannot be saved without passion.
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