Therefore, when war threatens, preparations must be made in any event; for the evil of what proves to be the needless expenditure of money in one instance is not to be weighed for a moment against the failure to prepare in the other.
From an essay on national defense, this passage argues that the potential cost of unnecessary military spending is negligible compared to the catastrophic consequences of failing to prepare for war.
Share
More from Teddy Roosevelt
The American people by a great plurality have conferred upon you the highest honor in their gift.
I want every labor man, every labor leader, every organized union man, to take the lead in denouncing crime or violence.
I wish to say that the Progressive Party is making its appeal to all our fellow citizens without any regard to their creed or to their birthplace.
Like all other good citizens, I accept the result with entire good humor and contentment.
Other voices in this conversation
