Century Quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt
“Perfectionism, no less than isolationism or imperialism or power politics, may obstruct the paths to international peace. Let us not forget that the retreat to isolationism a quarter of a century ago was started not by a direct attack against international cooperation but against the alleged imperfections of the peace.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Address on International Cooperation, Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1940
Perfectionism, like isolationism and power politics, can block peace; past retreats from cooperation stemmed from perceived flaws in peace itself.
In simple terms: Perfectionism can hinder global peace efforts.
Key Takeaway
Balance ideals with pragmatic cooperation.
Themes
peace
politics
idealism
cooperation
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- diplomacy
- policy making
- conflict resolution
- international summits
- public discourse
Key Concepts
imperfection
realism
global governance
Questions to Reflect On
- Can striving for perfection coexist with diplomatic compromise?
- What role does criticism play in peacebuilding?
A Different Perspective
Perfectionism may also drive improvements; not all idealism is obstructive.
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