Political Quotes

On the record
The men who demand the impossible or the undesirable serve as the allies of the forces with which they are nominally at war, for they hamper those who would endeavor to find out in rational fashion what the wrongs really are and to what extent and in what manner it is practicable to apply remedies.
Said by
Teddy Roosevelt
Republican · New York

Editor's note · Context

Roosevelt reflects on how unrealistic demands can hinder genuine efforts to address societal issues.

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More from Teddy Roosevelt

Feb 23, 1912

I absolutely agree with you that this matter is not one to be decided with any reference to the personal preferences or interests of any man, but purely from the standpoint of the interests of the people as a whole.

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Apr 22, 1910

France is one of these nations. For her to sink would be a loss to all the world.

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Aug 30, 1910

No man is worth his salt in public life who makes on the stump a pledge which he does not keep after election; and, if he makes such a pledge and does not keep it, hunt him out of public life.

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