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
The great body of our citizens shoot less as times goes on. We should encourage rifle practice among schoolboys, and indeed among all classes, as well as in the military services by every means in our power. Thus, and not otherwise, may we be able to assist in preserving peace in the world... The first step – in the direction of preparation to avert war if possible, and to be fit for war if it should come – is to teach men to shoot!
Interpretation
What this quote means
The quote emphasizes the importance of promoting shooting skills for self-defense and peace.
The quote by Theodore Roosevelt suggests that as society evolves, individuals are becoming less adept in skills necessary for protection and defense, such as shooting. Roosevelt believes that encouraging rifle practice among citizens, particularly young boys and military personnel, is essential not only for preparing for potential conflicts but also for fostering a spirit of readiness and responsibility that may help to preserve peace.
Themes
ShootingPreparationPeaceMilitaryTrainingResponsibility
In practice
Example use cases
During a school presentation on the importance of self-defense skills, one might quote Roosevelt to highlight the value of firearms training.
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.
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
In firing his gun, John Brown has merely told what time of day it is. It is high noon.
William Lloyd GarrisonRead
Once every seven days, do something that frightens you. Every time we do something that we resist and is frightening, we actually grow in our power.
Robin S. SharmaRead
We are Craiglockhart's success stories. Look at us. We don't remember, we don't feel, we don't think - at least beyond the confines of what's needed to do the job. By any proper civilized standard (but what does that mean now?) we are objects of horror. But our nerves are completely steady. And we are still alive.
Pat BarkerRead
There's a long history and a pattern of Black athletes - and Black people, period - being told to shut up and accept whatever it is they're given.
Jemele HillRead
Bullies may be the perpetrators of evil, but it is the evil of passivity of all those who know what is happening and never intervene that perpetuates such abuse.
Philip ZimbardoRead
My life now centered around sleepless nights and stand-bys, dodging the Brits and calming nerves to go out on operations. But the people stood by us. The people not only opened the doors of their homes to lend us a hand, but they opened their hearts to us. I learned that without the people, we could not survive and I knew that I owed them everything.
Bobby SandsRead