The health of our republic depends on shared principles like the First Amendment, but it is also built on the Teddy Roosevelt-like vigor of its citizens and local self-reliance.
Interpretation
A strong republic requires both shared values and active participation from its citizens.
This quote emphasizes that the strength of a democratic society relies not only on fundamental principles, such as those exemplified in the First Amendment, but also on the energetic involvement of its citizens who demonstrate self-reliance and take an active role in their communities. The reference to Teddy Roosevelt highlights the importance of vigor and proactive engagement in maintaining the health of the republic.
In practice
In a commencement speech to encourage civic engagement among graduates.
Among the responsibilities of each citizen in a participatory democracy is keeping ourselves sufficiently informed so that we can participate effectively, argue our positions honorably, and hopefully, forge sufficient consensus to understand each other and then to govern.
Becoming a reader grows our horizons, our appetite for the good, the true and the beautiful, and our empathy.
Being stuck in adolescence - that's a hell. 'Peter Pan' is a dystopia, and we forget that. Neverland is a bad place to be.
Rising political tribalism, shamelessly exaggerating our opponents' claims or behavior, is leaving us vulnerable: No one loves America's internal fighting - and our increasingly siloed news consumption - more than Vladimir Putin.
Good history is good story-telling. And good story-telling demands empathy; it requires understanding different actors, differing motivations, competing goals.
I don't think that our Founders would believe that America could long prosper if the people were not readers.
For He is in the midst of us day and night [in the Blessed Sacrament]; He dwells in us with the fullness of grace and truth. He raises the level of morals, fosters virtue, comforts the sorrowful, strengthens the weak and stirs up all those who draw near to Him to imitate Him, so that they may learn from his example to be meek and humble of heart, and to seek not their own interests but those of God.
Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better.
How can I keep my soul in me, so that it doesn't touch your soul? How can I raise it high enough, past you, to other things?
The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation.
I mean, knowing people, people are terrified of the unknown and they want to just kill the unknown.
The day we fret about the future is the day we leave our childhood behind.
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