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
There can be no fifty-fifty Americanism in this country. There is room here for only 100% Americanism, only for those who are Americans and nothing else
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the idea of total commitment to being American without any divided loyalties or identities.
Theodore Roosevelt's quote highlights the importance of complete loyalty to the ideals of Americanism, indicating that in a nation, there should be no partial allegiance. He reflects on the concept of national identity, suggesting that individuals must wholly identify as Americans without holding onto other national or cultural identities that could create divisions, thus promoting unity and patriotism within the country.
Themes
AmericanismLoyaltyIdentityPatriotismUnity
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about national unity, one could quote Theodore Roosevelt to emphasize the need for complete dedication to our nation.
More from Theodore Roosevelt
All quotes →It 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.
Theodore RooseveltRead
No man should receive a dollar unless that dollar has been fairly earned.
Theodore RooseveltRead
Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.
Theodore RooseveltRead
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.
Theodore RooseveltRead
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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