Our standard of public and private conduct will never be raised to the proper level until we make the scoundrel who succeeds feel the weight of a hostile public opinion even more strongly than the scoundrel who fails.
From his essay "The Strenuous Life," this passage emphasizes the role of public opinion in upholding ethical standards in society.
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More from Teddy Roosevelt
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.
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