But there is just as little use for the foolish optimist who refuses to face the many and real evils that exist, and who fails to see that the only way to ensure the triumph of righteousness in the future is to war against all that is base, weak, and unlovely in the present.
From his speech "The Strenuous Life," this passage critiques naive optimism, advocating for active engagement against present evils to secure a righteous future.
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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.
I want every labor man, every labor leader, every organized union man, to take the lead in denouncing crime or violence.
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