--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The measure of our progress is not…" description: "\"The measure of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much, but whether, as Franklin Roosevelt said, we provide eno..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15c/mark-shields-1572_abundance_the-measure-of-our-progress-is-not-wheth_3081651.png" --- # The measure of our progress is not whether we add more to… ![“The measure of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much, but whether, as Franklin Roosevelt said, we provide enough for those who have too little.” quote by Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15c/mark-shields-1572_abundance_the-measure-of-our-progress-is-not-wheth_3081651.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15c/mark-shields-1572_abundance_the-measure-of-our-progress-is-not-wheth_3081651.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15c/mark-shields-1572_abundance_the-measure-of-our-progress-is-not-wheth_3081651.png) > “The measure of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much, but whether, as Franklin Roosevelt said, we provide enough for those who have too little.” [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True progress is measured by helping the less fortunate, not by adding to the rich's wealth. **In simple terms:** Success means sharing enough with those in need. Key Takeaway Focus on equitable resource distribution. Themes equity social justice wealth distribution Mood thoughtful concerned Type ethical political When to use this quote - policy making - charitable planning - community development - business strategy Key Concepts economics ethics philanthropy Questions to Reflect On - How can we ensure aid reaches those most in need? - What policies promote fair wealth distribution? A Different Perspective Balancing aid with economic growth is complex. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Abundance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abundance/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) ## Related quotes > [“               The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/siddharth-kara/the-test-of-our-progress-is-not-whether-we-add-more-to-the-abundance/) [Siddharth Kara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/siddharth-kara/) > [Franklin Roosevelt said the test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance to those who have much; it is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-j-kennedy/franklin-roosevelt-said-the-test-of-our-progress-is-not-whether-we/) [Patrick J. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-j-kennedy/) > [The test of our progress is not whether we add to the abundance of those who have much. It is whether we provide enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt-2/the-test-of-our-progress-is-not-whether-we-add-to-the-abundance-of/) [Franklin D Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt-2/) > [The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much it is whether we provide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/the-test-of-our-progress-is-not-whether-we-add-more-to-the-abundance-2/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [Government wants to provide the little but the sufficient so that you keep cool and quiet while you are being a slave of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carlos-a/government-wants-to-provide-the-little-but-the-sufficient-so-that-you/) [Carlos A](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carlos-a/) > [To aim at excellence, our reputation, and friends, and all must be ventured; to aim at the average we run no risk and provide…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-goldsmith/to-aim-at-excellence-our-reputation-and-friends-and-all-must-be/) [Oliver Goldsmith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-goldsmith/) > [I provide a little comic relief.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-anderson/i-provide-a-little-comic-relief/) [Anthony Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-anderson/) > [Those who go ahead provide a little light into the unknown.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-densmore/those-who-go-ahead-provide-a-little-light-into-the-unknown/) [John Densmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-densmore/) > [In this nation I see tens of millions of its citizens, a substantial part of its whole population, who at this very moment are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/in-this-nation-i-see-tens-of-millions-of-its-citizens-a-substantial/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [“One true measure of progress in Afghanistan is the relationship between the government and the people. The more the villagers support the government, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/douglas-grindle/one-true-measure-of-progress-in-afghanistan-is-the-relationship/) [Douglas Grindle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/douglas-grindle/) > [What is the first step to take and how do you measure your progress? How far have you gone and how close are you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-gerber/what-is-the-first-step-to-take-and-how-do-you-measure-your-progress/) [Michael Gerber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-gerber/) > [The way we have to measure progress is not, "Is there ever going to be an incident of racism in the country?" It's, "How…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/the-way-we-have-to-measure-progress-is-not-is-there-ever-going-to-be/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The measure of progress of civilization is the progress of the people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bancroft/the-measure-of-progress-of-civilization-is-the-progress-of-the-people/) [George Bancroft](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bancroft/) > [One industrial age belief is that GDP or GNP is a measure of progress. I don't care if you're the President of China or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-senge/one-industrial-age-belief-is-that-gdp-or-gnp-is-a-measure-of-progress/) [Peter Senge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-senge/) > [“So, start every change project with a clear and compelling statement of the goal you’re trying to achieve. Measure your progress. Don’t leave it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-grenny/so-start-every-change-project-with-a-clear-and-compelling-statement/) [Joseph Grenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-grenny/) ## More by Mark Shields > [I'm not sure Betsy DeVos has ever spent a day in a public school. And I don't - I'm pretty sure Donald Trump hasn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/i-m-not-sure-betsy-devos-has-ever-spent-a-day-in-a-public-school-and/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [Donald Trump is sounding the same theme he has sounded since May or June of 2015.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/donald-trump-is-sounding-the-same-theme-he-has-sounded-since-may-or/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [I do look upon the secretary of education's primary responsibility as the quality of education that - and improving the education that every child…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/i-do-look-upon-the-secretary-of-education-s-primary-responsibility-as/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [Dan Coats, retiring senator from Indiana, a mild-mannered man, a former United States ambassador to Germany, former congressman, said of Ted Cruz he's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/dan-coats-retiring-senator-from-indiana-a-mild-mannered-man-a-former/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [It's interesting how identity politics and Ann Coulter-style tactics have now blossomed. But they were always there in CPAC.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/it-s-interesting-how-identity-politics-and-ann-coulter-style-tactics/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [When you run for president of the United States, everybody does the same thing in the campaign-they talk about veterans, how much they admire…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/when-you-run-for-president-of-the-united-states-everybody-does-the/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [Americans don't like powerful figures who punch down, that is, who pick on someone less powerful and less able to speak for themselves than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/americans-don-t-like-powerful-figures-who-punch-down-that-is-who-pick/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [Everyone has to take Donald Trump seriously, and I think that's what we're seeing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/everyone-has-to-take-donald-trump-seriously-and-i-think-that-s-what/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [Donald Trump defies gravity. And so I guess he has to be Donald Trump. It's gotten him so far.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/donald-trump-defies-gravity-and-so-i-guess-he-has-to-be-donald-trump/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [ My church \[Catholisism\] is hurting from arrogance and from its indifference to the suffering of children that were abused and the inclination of the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/my-church-catholisism-is-hurting-from-arrogance-and-from-its/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [America is Republican until 5:00 or 6:00 at night.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/america-is-republican-until-5-00-or-6-00-at-night/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [John Kerry's biography was central to his campaign.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/john-kerry-s-biography-was-central-to-his-campaign/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [I think Guantanamo, has been synonymous with the staining of American values and American legal tradition.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/i-think-guantanamo-has-been-synonymous-with-the-staining-of-american/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [Stronger together is, I think, a preposition and a comparative adjective, but it's not really an action verb or what it is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/stronger-together-is-i-think-a-preposition-and-a-comparative/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [If you only make fights that you're going to win, there would be no women's vote in America, there would be no civil rights…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/if-you-only-make-fights-that-you-re-going-to-win-there-would-be-no/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) [Explore all 227 Mark Shields quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) ## More Abundance quotes > [ When the fountains of government \[borrowing\] abundance began to dry up, when through lack of funds and the impossibility of negotiating fresh loans the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-t-flynn/when-the-fountains-of-government-borrowing-abundance-began-to-dry-up/) [John T. Flynn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-t-flynn/) > [ We have no clear ideas of the agency of \[demonic\] spirits, nor is it necessary. The Scripture says little to satisfy our curiosity; but… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-newton/we-have-no-clear-ideas-of-the-agency-of-demonic-spirits-nor-is-it/) [John Newton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-newton/) > [Like the water of a deep stream, love is always too much. We did not make it. Though we drink till we burst, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendell-berry/like-the-water-of-a-deep-stream-love-is-always-too-much-we-did-not/) [Wendell Berry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendell-berry/) > [“Life is open to us all. No one will ever see life exactly the same as another. Some folks will argue that one who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sereda-aleta-dailey/life-is-open-to-us-all-no-one-will-ever-see-life-exactly-the-same-as/) [Sereda Aleta Dailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sereda-aleta-dailey/) > [Our obsession with material things and lack of self-worth is evident in our need for an abundance of momentary luxuries and must-have amenities that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/t-i/our-obsession-with-material-things-and-lack-of-self-worth-is-evident/) T.I > [Like the sea itself, the unconscious yields an endless and self-replenishing abundance of creatures, a wealth beyond our fathoming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/like-the-sea-itself-the-unconscious-yields-an-endless-and-self/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) > [There are times when born hollandaise heads, as well as nouveaux turbot freaks and recherche escargotphiles alike crave the saignet abundance of a New…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gael-greene/there-are-times-when-born-hollandaise-heads-as-well-as-nouveaux/) [Gael Greene](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gael-greene/) > [I always tell Asian actors, especially Filipinos wanting to break into Hollywood, to study, study and study and show their best. I haven't stopped…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reggie-lee/i-always-tell-asian-actors-especially-filipinos-wanting-to-break-into/) [Reggie Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reggie-lee/) > [“Without darkness, we may never know how bright the stars shine. Without battles, we could not know what victory feels like. Without adversity, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-anne/without-darkness-we-may-never-know-how-bright-the-stars-shine-without/) [Julie-Anne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-anne/) > [It is no small honour that God for our sake has so magnificently adorned the world, in order that we may not only be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-calvin/it-is-no-small-honour-that-god-for-our-sake-has-so-magnificently/) [John Calvin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-calvin/) > [frustration, complication and misery are available in abundance, but so is God's grace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joyce-meyer/frustration-complication-and-misery-are-available-in-abundance-but-so/) [Joyce Meyer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joyce-meyer/) > [I dreamt a limitless book, A book unbound, Its leaves scattered in fantastic abundance On every line there was a new horizon drawn, New…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/clive-barker/i-dreamt-a-limitless-book-a-book-unbound-its-leaves-scattered-in/) [Clive Barker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/clive-barker/) > [I used to be a columnist for 'Golf Monthly' and have contributed articles for national newspapers based on the humour that is in abundance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jasper-carrott/i-used-to-be-a-columnist-for-golf-monthly-and-have-contributed/) [Jasper Carrott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jasper-carrott/) > [Remember, whatever you focus upon, increases...When you focus on the things you need, you'll find those needs increasing. If you concentrate your thoughts on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-andrews/remember-whatever-you-focus-upon-increases-when-you-focus-on-the/) [Andy Andrews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-andrews/) > [Don't measure the height of your Christmas tree. Measure the abundance of the love present in your heart! Have a Blessed Christmas!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/don-t-measure-the-height-of-your-christmas-tree-measure-the-abundance/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) [Browse all 1,251 Abundance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abundance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The measure of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much, but whether, as Franklin Roosevelt said, we provide enough for those who have too little.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Mark Shields" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/the-measure-of-our-progress-is-not-whether-we-add-more-to-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Abundance" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/the-measure-of-our-progress-is-not-whether-we-add-more-to-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15c/mark-shields-1572_abundance_the-measure-of-our-progress-is-not-wheth_3081651.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15c/mark-shields-1572_abundance_the-measure-of-our-progress-is-not-wheth_3081651.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/15c/mark-shields-1572_abundance_the-measure-of-our-progress-is-not-wheth_3081651.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The measure of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much, but whether…” — Mark Shields", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Mark Shields", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The measure of our progress is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/the-measure-of-our-progress-is-not-whether-we-add-more-to-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/the-measure-of-our-progress-is-not-whether-we-add-more-to-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```