Nobody but radicals have ever accomplished anything in a great crisis.
Interpretation
Radical actions are often necessary to achieve significant change during tough times.
This quote by James A. Garfield suggests that only those who take bold and unconventional approaches, referred to as radicals, can bring about meaningful accomplishments in times of crisis. It highlights the idea that in moments of great difficulty, typical or moderate responses are often insufficient, and it is the willingness to embrace radical ideas and actions that can lead to success and resolution.
In practice
In a speech about leadership during a crisis, one might use this quote to emphasize the need for bold decisions.
Statistical science is indispensable to modern statesmanship. In legislation as in physical science it is beginning to be understood that we can control terrestrial forces only by obeying their laws. The legislator must formulate in his statutes not only the national will, but also those great laws of social life revealed by statistics.
I am trying to do two things: dare to be a radical and not a fool, which is a matter of no small difficulty.
Justice and goodwill will outlast passion.
Now more than ever the people are responsible for the character of their Congress. If that body be ignorant, reckless, and corrupt, it is because the people tolerate ignorance, recklessness, and corruption.
If the power to do hard work is not a skill, it's the best possible substitute for it.
Next in importance to freedom and justice is popular education, without which neither freedom nor justice can be permanently maintained.
The worst moment from all of this was driving from that doctor's office, to tell my wife that I was HIV positive.
Do you know how big of an insult that is to me - to say that I had to be brave to confront some ignorant white folks?
Let's cool it brothers . . . Spoken to his assassins, three men who stabbed him 16 times.
it is only courage on the path itself that makes the path appear
All right, Watson. Don’t look so scared,” he muttered in a very weak voice. “It’s not as bad as it seems.” “Thank God for that!” “I’m a bit of a single-stick expert, as you know. I took most of them on my guard. It was the second man that was too much for me.” “What can I do, Holmes? Of course, it was that damned fellow who set them on. I’ll go and thrash the hide off him if you give the word.” “Good old Watson!(...)
A blank wall of social and professional antagonism faces the woman physician that forms a situation of singular and painful loneliness, leaving her without support, respect or professional counsel.
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