They criticize me for harping on the obvious; if all the folks in the United States would do the few simple things they know they ought to do, most of our big problems would take care of themselves.
Calvin CoolidgeRead
The right thing to do never requires any subterfuge, it is always simple and direct.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Doing the right thing is straightforward and doesn't require deceit.
Calvin Coolidge's quote emphasizes that ethical decisions and actions are usually uncomplicated and transparent. When faced with moral choices, the best course of action is often clear and does not necessitate manipulation or dishonesty, highlighting the importance of integrity in our choices.
Themes
Right ThingIntegrityHonestySimplicityDirectness
In practice
Example use cases
During a business meeting, when discussing ethical practices, one could say this quote to emphasize the importance of straightforwardness.
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No method of procedure has ever been devised by which liberty could be divorced from local self-government. No plan of centralization has ever been adopted which did not result in bureaucracy, tyranny, inflexibility, reaction, and decline.
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Whether one traces his Americanism back three centuries to the Mayflower, or three years to the steerage, is not half so important as whether his Americanism of today is real and genuine. No matter by what various crafts we came here, we are all now in the same boat.
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The foundations of our society and our government rest so much on the teachings of the Bible that it would be difficult to support them if faith in these teachings would cease to be practically universal in our country.
Calvin CoolidgeRead
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