--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Here is my principle: Taxes shall be…" description: "\"Here is my principle: Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle.\" — Franklin D. Roosevelt" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/060/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_ability_here-is-my-principle-taxes-shall-be-levi_2749164.jpg" --- # Here is my principle: Taxes shall be levied according to… ![“Here is my principle: Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle.” quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/060/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_ability_here-is-my-principle-taxes-shall-be-levi_2749164.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/060/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_ability_here-is-my-principle-taxes-shall-be-levi_2749164.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/060/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_ability_here-is-my-principle-taxes-shall-be-levi_2749164.jpg) > “Here is my principle: Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle.” [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Taxation should reflect each citizen’s capacity, embodying fairness as a core American value. **In simple terms:** Taxes based on ability to pay ensure fairness. Key Takeaway Implement progressive taxation. Themes fairness tax policy American values Mood thoughtful serious Type policy educational When to use this quote - budget planning - public policy - civic education Key Concepts progressive taxation social equity Questions to Reflect On - How does progressive tax affect economic growth? - What alternatives exist for fair revenue? A Different Perspective Political opposition may label it as punitive. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Principle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/principle/) [Taxes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/taxes/) ## Related quotes > [We can't be dominated by ruthless terrorism and the American principle is that we never will be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-kennedy-smith/we-can-t-be-dominated-by-ruthless-terrorism-and-the-american/) [Jean Kennedy Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-kennedy-smith/) > [Nondiscrimination is a great American principle. It's a core American principle, as is religious freedom. 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It's also known…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-skousen/the-true-principle-of-taxation-is-the-benefit-principle-those-who/) [Mark Skousen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-skousen/) > [Taxes, after all, are dues that we pay for the privileges of membership in an organized society.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/taxes-after-all-are-dues-that-we-pay-for-the-privileges-of-membership/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Taxes are paid in the sweat of every man who labors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/taxes-are-paid-in-the-sweat-of-every-man-who-labors/) [Franklin D. 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Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Labor Day symbolizes our determination to achieve an economic freedom for the average man which will give his political freedom realty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/labor-day-symbolizes-our-determination-to-achieve-an-economic-freedom/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Too often in recent history liberal governments have been wrecked on rocks of loose fiscal policy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/too-often-in-recent-history-liberal-governments-have-been-wrecked-on/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [The frontier of America is on the Rhine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-frontier-of-america-is-on-the-rhine/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Repetition does not transform a lie into a truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/repetition-does-not-transform-a-lie-into-a-truth/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [The future lies with those wise political leaders who realize that the great public is interested more in Government than in politics. The growing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-future-lies-with-those-wise-political-leaders-who-realize-that/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) [Explore all 521 Franklin D. Roosevelt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. 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I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. 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