“To announce that the president must not be criticized, or that we must stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but morally treasonous to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be said about him or anyone else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about anyone else.”
– Theodore Roosevelt.
The meaning of the quote
Theodore Roosevelt was an American leader, writer, and soldier who served as the 26th President of the United States from 1901 to 1909. In this statement, former US President Theodore Roosevelt argued that people should not blindly support the president no matter what he does. He believes that saying the president must never be criticized is unpatriotic and even harmful to the country. Instead, Roosevelt noted that citizens have a duty to tell the truth about their leaders, whether the truth is positive or negative.
He emphasizes that honesty and responsibility are essential in a democracy.
According to him, it is especially important to criticize the president when necessary because he has great power and his actions affect the entire nation.
According to Roosevelt, silence or blind loyalty would weaken the country rather than strengthen it.
Who was Roosevelt?
Roosevelt delivered these words in Kansas City on May 7, 1918, no doubt in part to justify his extreme criticism of then-President Woodrow Wilson, whom he criticized for moral laxity, for high-sounding words not matched by action, and for failing to prepare the people of the United States to enter World War I.
Theodore Roosevelt gave this speech in Kansas City on May 7, 1918, partly in defense of his strong criticism of Woodrow Wilson. He harshly accused Wilson of lacking moral strength, using bombastic language without taking real action, and failing to properly prepare the American public for entry into World War I.
Roosevelt played an important role in regulating large corporations, expanding national parks, and strengthening the country’s global influence. Before becoming president, he gained fame as a war hero in the Spanish-American War and later became vice president under William McKinley and became president after McKinley’s assassination.
Famous quotes from Roosevelt
“Remember, always remember, that we all, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionaries.”
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how a strong man stumbles… The credit goes to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood…” Known as the “Man in the Arena” quote from a 1910 speech in Paris.
“Speak softly and carry a big stick; you’ll go far.”
To announce that there must be no criticism of the President… is not only unpatriotic and servile, but morally treasonous to the American public.
“Believe you can and you’re halfway there.”
“In every decision moment, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.”
