They were incapable of supporting a great constructive statesman in a great crisis; and this, not because they were too virtuous, but because they lacked the necessary common-sense and power of subordination of self to enable them to work disinterestedly with others for the common good.
In an essay on the strenuous life, this passage critiques those who fail to support effective leadership due to a lack of common sense and self-subordination.
Share
More from Teddy Roosevelt
Like all other good citizens, I accept the result with entire good humor and contentment.
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.
I deeply appreciate your letter, and I realize to the full the heavy responsibility it puts upon me.
The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood.
Other voices in this conversation
