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
The first requisite of a good citizen in this republic of ours is that he shall be able and willing to pull his own weight.
Interpretation
What this quote means
A good citizen contributes to society and takes responsibility for their actions.
This quote emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility and active participation in society. Theodore Roosevelt highlights that a good citizen should not only be able to support themselves but also contribute positively to the community, reinforcing the idea that civic duty involves effort and commitment from each individual for the greater good.
Themes
CitizenshipResponsibilityCommunityServiceLeadership
In practice
Example use cases
During a town hall meeting, a citizen quoted Roosevelt to inspire more community engagement.
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.
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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