Political Quotes

Teddy Roosevelt: “Robbery and theft, perjury and subornation of perjury, are crimes punishable by the courts; but many a man who…”

On the recordJanuary 1, 1900
Robbery and theft, perjury and subornation of perjury, are crimes punishable by the courts; but many a man who technically never commits any one of these crimes is yet morally quite as guilty as is his less adroit but not more wicked, and possibly infinitely less dangerous, brother who gets into the penitentiary.
Said by
Teddy Roosevelt
Republican · New York

Editor's note · Context

From his essay "The Strenuous Life," this passage argues that moral guilt can exist even when legal crimes are not technically committed.

Share

More from Teddy Roosevelt

Oct 13, 1912

I want every labor man, every labor leader, every organized union man, to take the lead in denouncing crime or violence.

presidency.ucsb.edu
Nov 4, 1912

The American people by a great plurality have conferred upon you the highest honor in their gift.

presidency.ucsb.edu
Oct 13, 1912

I don’t know anything about who the man was who shot me to-night.

presidency.ucsb.edu

Other voices in this conversation