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
A typical vice of American politics is the avoidance of saying anything real on real issues.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote criticizes American politics for not addressing genuine issues honestly.
Theodore Roosevelt highlights a recurring problem in American politics: politicians often evade discussing significant real-world issues in favor of vague statements or empty rhetoric. This avoidance diminishes the quality of political discourse and prevents meaningful engagement with the challenges facing society, ultimately undermining the political system's integrity.
Themes
PoliticsHonestyIssuesAmerican PoliticsDiscouragement
In practice
Example use cases
In a political debate to illustrate the need for transparency.
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
Similar quotes
Elections aren't just about who votes but who doesn't vote.
Michelle ObamaRead
Nations are born in the hearts of poets, they prosper and die in the hands of politicians.
Muhammad IqbalRead
Government is, or ought to be instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security of the people, nation, or community... when any government shall be found inadequate or contrary to these purposes, a majority of the community hath an indubitable, inalienable, and indefeasible right to reform, alter, or abolish it, in such manner as shall be judged most conducive to the public weal.
George MasonRead
True individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.
Franklin D. RooseveltRead
Why is the Keystone Pipeline the very first, #1 item on the Republicans' agenda? We know that this pipeline runs terrible environmental risks and it just won't do much for the American people. So why is this bill so urgent? Money and power.
Elizabeth WarrenRead
Fighting corruption is not just good governance. It's self-defense. It's patriotism.
Joe BidenRead