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
We despise and abhor the bully, the brawler, the oppressor, whether in private or public life, but we despise no less the coward and the voluptuary. No man is worth calling a man who will not fight rather than submit to infamy or see those that are dear to him suffer wrong.
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of standing up against oppression and injustice, arguing that true worth comes from fighting for what is right.
In this quote, Theodore Roosevelt expresses his disdain not only for bullies and oppressors but also for those who lack the courage to stand up against wrongdoings. He argues that a true man is one who is willing to fight against injustice rather than submit to disgrace or allow his loved ones to suffer. This highlights the virtues of bravery and moral integrity, suggesting that passivity in the face of evil is equally contemptible.
Themes
CourageInjusticeIntegrityFightOppression
In practice
Example use cases
This quote can be used in a speech advocating for civil rights, emphasizing the need to confront injustice.
More from Theodore Roosevelt
All quotes →It 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.
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No man should receive a dollar unless that dollar has been fairly earned.
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Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.
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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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Our chiefs are killed. . . . The little children are freezing to death. . . . My people have no blankets, no food. . . . My heart is sick and sad. . . . I will fight no more forever.
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