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
To announce that there must be no criticism of the president... is morally treasonable to the American public.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Criticism of leadership is essential for a healthy democracy and should not be suppressed.
The quote by Theodore Roosevelt emphasizes the importance of free speech and the necessity of holding leaders accountable. He argues that forbidding criticism of the president undermines the moral integrity of society and violates the public's right to express dissent, which is a cornerstone of American democracy.
Themes
CriticismDemocracyLeadershipFreedomAccountability
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech about political transparency, one might quote Roosevelt to emphasize the need for open discussion.
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
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