A nation, like a person, has a mind - a mind that must be kept informed and alert, that must know itself, that understands the hopes and needs of its neighbors - all the other nations that live within the narrowing circle of the world
Interpretation
Nations, much like individuals, need awareness and understanding of themselves and others to thrive.
This quote emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and global consciousness for nations, akin to how individuals must understand their surroundings and the desires of others to function effectively. Roosevelt suggests that just as a person should remain informed and considerate to thrive, a nation must maintain an informed mentality to foster relationships and cooperation among other nations in a rapidly evolving world.
In practice
During a diplomatic meeting, one might quote Roosevelt to emphasize the importance of understanding other nations' needs.
There has been one persistent theme through all Axis propaganda. This theme has been that Americans are admittedly rich, that Americans have considerable industrial power - but that Americans are soft and decadent, that they cannot and will not unite and work and fight. ... Let them tell that to the Marines!
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.
A war of ideas can no more be won without books than a naval war can be won without ships. Books, like ships, have the toughest armor, the longest cruising range, and mount the most powerful guns.
Better the occasional faults of a government that lives in a spirit of charity than the consistent omissions of a government frozen in the ice of its own indifference.
Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds.
A world turned into a stereotype, a society converted into a regiment, a life translated into a routine, make it difficult for either art or artists to survive. Crush individuality in society and you crush art as well. Nourish the conditions of a free life and you nourish the arts, too.
The bad fortune of the good turns their faces up to heaven; the good fortune of the bad bows their heads down to the earth.
All kinds of excuses have been given by governments for not implementing this recommendation like food price inflation. But the question is, do the farmers of this country, who constitute nearly half of the working population, also not need to eat?
What is reprehensible is that while leading good lives themselves and abhorring those of wicked men, some, fearing to offend, shut their eyes to evil deeds instead of condemning them and pointing out their malice.
Get into the habit of dealing with God about everything.
The result of the voyage does not depend on the speed of the ship, but on whether or not it keeps a true course.
The becoming of man is the history of the exhaustion of his possibilities.
Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.