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
When they call the roll in the Senate, the Senators do not know whether to answer 'Present' or 'Not guilty.'
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote suggests that Senators often face dilemmas in ethical situations where their votes reflect more than just their positions.
The quote by Theodore Roosevelt highlights the moral complexities and challenges faced by Senators when making decisions. It implies that their responses during roll calls are not simply about attendance or objection; instead, they reflect deeper ethical considerations that can equate their presence with guilt or complicity in decisions that may not align with their values.
Themes
SenateEthicsPoliticsDecision-MakingMoral Dilemmas
In practice
Example use cases
In a discussion about political integrity, one might quote Roosevelt to highlight the ethical challenges politicians face.
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.
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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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