---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is time to provide a smashing answer…"
description: "\"It is time to provide a smashing answer for those cynical men who say that a democracy cannot be honest, cannot be efficient… We have in the darkest mo..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e14/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_ability_it-is-time-to-provide-a-smashing-answer_2238248.jpg"
---

#  It is time to provide a smashing answer for those cynical…

![“It is time to provide a smashing answer for those cynical men who say that a democracy cannot be honest, cannot be efficient… We have in the darkest moments of our national trials retained our faith in our own ability to master our own destiny.” quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e14/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_ability_it-is-time-to-provide-a-smashing-answer_2238248.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e14/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_ability_it-is-time-to-provide-a-smashing-answer_2238248.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e14/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_ability_it-is-time-to-provide-a-smashing-answer_2238248.jpg)

> “It is time to provide a smashing answer for those cynical men who say that a democracy cannot be honest, cannot be efficient… We have in the darkest moments of our national trials retained our faith in our own ability to master our own destiny.”

[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.

Democracy can thrive despite cynicism if citizens retain faith in self‑determination during crises.

**In simple terms:** Democracy works when people trust themselves.

Key Takeaway

Believe in collective agency.

Themes

democracy citizen empowerment resilience

Mood

hopeful determined

Type

political inspirational

When to use this quote

- national crises
- public policy debates
- community organizing

Key Concepts

self‑determination civic trust political optimism

Questions to Reflect On

- How can citizens rebuild trust after a crisis?
- What mechanisms protect democratic honesty?

A Different Perspective

Cynics may point to systemic corruption that undermines trust.

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