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.
It was strictly forbidden to preach to other prisoners. It was understood that whoever was caught doing this received a severe beating. A number of us decided to pay the price for the privilege of preaching, so we accepted their [the communists' ] terms. It was a deal; we preached and they beat us. We were happy preaching. They were happy beating us, so everyone was happy.
You have been chosen, and you must therefore use such strength and heart and wits as you have.
Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace! β but there is no peace.
The McCarthy period came along...and many of the other scientists who had been working on these same lines gave up. Probably saying "Why should I sacrifice myself? I am a scientist, I am supposed to be working on scientific things, so I don't need to put myself at risk by talking about these possibilities." And I have said that perhaps I'm just stubborn... I have said "I don't like anybody to tell me what to do or to think, except Mrs. Pauling."
All adventures, especially into new territory, are scary.
As every scuba diver knows, panic is your worst enemy: when it hits, your mind starts to thrash and you are likely to do something really stupid and self-destructive.
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