--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: When those who are responsible for the…" description: "\"“When those who are responsible for the leadership of State begin to move in villainous ways; when they begin to destroy the fabric of what it is that ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/696/teddy-roosevelt-59745_action_when-those-who-are-responsible-for-the-l_2172464.jpg" --- # When those who are responsible for the leadership of State… ![“When those who are responsible for the leadership of State begin to move in villainous ways; when they begin to destroy the fabric of what it is that our nation is held together with; when they violate the Constitution of our nation and begin to do things that are false to our dreams and our…” quote by Teddy Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/696/teddy-roosevelt-59745_action_when-those-who-are-responsible-for-the-l_2172464.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/696/teddy-roosevelt-59745_action_when-those-who-are-responsible-for-the-l_2172464.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/696/teddy-roosevelt-59745_action_when-those-who-are-responsible-for-the-l_2172464.jpg) > ““When those who are responsible for the leadership of State begin to move in villainous ways; when they begin to destroy the fabric of what it is that our nation is held together with; when they violate the Constitution of our nation and begin to do things that are false to our dreams and our hopes--it is incumbent upon every citizen by right, but also by responsibility, to challenge that administration, to raise their voice in vigorous dissent and to challenge the way in which the state is doing business. And those who fail to do that, should be charged with patriotic treason!”” [Teddy Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-roosevelt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Citizens must actively oppose corrupt leadership that undermines national values and constitutional principles, or risk being complicit in treason. **In simple terms:** Challenge corrupt leaders to protect the nation. Key Takeaway Speak out against governmental wrongdoing. Themes politics citizenship ethics responsibility Mood determined urgent Type political activist When to use this quote - voting - peaceful protest - community organizing Key Concepts constitutional duty patriotic dissent civil disobedience Questions to Reflect On - What responsibilities do citizens have when government fails? - How can dissent be expressed safely? A Different Perspective Opposition can be suppressed; legal repercussions may follow. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Challenge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/challenge/) [Charged Patriotic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/charged-patriotic-4657511/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [Dissent Challenge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dissent-challenge-4657512/) [Leadership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leadership/) [Management](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/management/) [Patriotic Treason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/patriotic-treason-4657510/) [Treason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/treason/) [Violate Constitution](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violate-constitution-4395843/) ## Related quotes > [ \[Donald Trump\] needs to take action today before he becomes president so he doesn't violate the Constitution. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-todd/donald-trump-needs-to-take-action-today-before-he-becomes-president/) [Chuck Todd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-todd/) > [“However, this court is constrained by law, and under the law, I can only conclude that the Government has not violated FOIA by refusing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/colleen-mcmahon/however-this-court-is-constrained-by-law-and-under-the-law-i-can-only/) [Colleen McMahon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/colleen-mcmahon/) > [“If we are to violate the Constitution, will the people submit to our unauthorized acts? Sir, they ought not to submit; they would deserve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-livingston/if-we-are-to-violate-the-constitution-will-the-people-submit-to-our/) [Edward Livingston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-livingston/) > [We can constitutionally extirpate slavery at this time. But if we fail to do this, then unless we intend hereafter to violate the Constitution,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-can-constitutionally-extirpate-slavery-at-this-time-but-if-we-fail/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The real problem with big issues like Medicare is that both parties have to be brave at the same time. Every pollster will tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-cooper/the-real-problem-with-big-issues-like-medicare-is-that-both-parties/) [Jim Cooper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-cooper/) > [Only In America can a renowned and devoted terrorism supporter like Peter King be the arbiter of national security and treason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-greenwald/only-in-america-can-a-renowned-and-devoted-terrorism-supporter-like/) [Glenn Greenwald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-greenwald/) > [Chillin watching CNN thinking damn we are damned not again. How is George Bush not in jail for treason. But Clinton gets impeached for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/asher-roth/chillin-watching-cnn-thinking-damn-we-are-damned-not-again-how-is/) [Asher Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/asher-roth/) > [“Arnold went into treason as into a business, surveying the ground and estimating the possible profits.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/van-doren-carl-c/arnold-went-into-treason-as-into-a-business-surveying-the-ground-and/) [Van Doren Carl C](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/van-doren-carl-c/) > [Treason and murder ever kept together, As two yoke-devils sworn to either's purpose, Working so grossly in a natural cause That admiration did not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/treason-and-murder-ever-kept-together-as-two-yoke-devils-sworn-to/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [Corporations cannot commit treason, nor be outlawed, nor excommunicated, for they have no souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-coke/corporations-cannot-commit-treason-nor-be-outlawed-nor-excommunicated/) [Edward Coke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-coke/) > [“There's nae reasoning wi some cats. You say 'reason', they mew 'treason'. Ken?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irvine-welsh/there-s-nae-reasoning-wi-some-cats-you-say-reason-they-mew-treason-ken/) [Irvine Welsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irvine-welsh/) > [ “See that the mind is honest, first; the rest may follow or not as God wills. \[That\] the fundamental treason to the mind ...… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-l-sayers/see-that-the-mind-is-honest-first-the-rest-may-follow-or-not-as-god/) [Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-l-sayers/) > [Disunion by force is treason.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-jackson/disunion-by-force-is-treason/) [Andrew Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-jackson/) > [Treason implies responsibility for something, control over something, influence upon something, knowledge of something. Treason in our time is a proof of genius. Why,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/treason-implies-responsibility-for-something-control-over-something/) [Antoine de Saint-Exupery](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/antoine-de-saint-exup-ry/) > [Why did Erich von Stronheim leave Germany? Why did Hitchcock leave England? If you were a director you'd like to work in Hollywood too.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roman-polanski/why-did-erich-von-stronheim-leave-germany-why-did-hitchcock-leave/) [Roman Polanski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roman-polanski/) ## More by Teddy Roosevelt > [“Speak softly and carry a big stick.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-roosevelt/speak-softly-and-carry-a-big-stick/) [Teddy Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-roosevelt/) > [Do what you can . where you are ,with what you have](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-roosevelt/do-what-you-can-where-you-are-with-what-you-have/) [Teddy Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-roosevelt/) > [“One of the chief factors in progress is the destruction of special privilege. The essence of any struggle for healthy liberty has always been,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-roosevelt/one-of-the-chief-factors-in-progress-is-the-destruction-of-special/) [Teddy Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-roosevelt/) > [“The only man who never makes a mistake is the one one who never does anything”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-roosevelt/the-only-man-who-never-makes-a-mistake-is-the-one-one-who-never-does/) [Teddy Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-roosevelt/) [Explore all 5 Teddy Roosevelt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-roosevelt/) ## More Action quotes > [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/) [Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/) > [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/) [Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/) > [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/) [Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/) > [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/) [William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/) > [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/) [Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/) > [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/) [Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/) > [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/) [Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/) > [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/) [Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/) [Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/) > [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/) [Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/) > [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/) [Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/) > [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/) [Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/) [Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“When those who are responsible for the leadership of State begin to move in villainous ways; when they begin to destroy the fabric of what it is that our nation is held together with; when they violate the Constitution of our nation and begin to do things that are false to our dreams and our hopes--it is incumbent upon every citizen by right, but also by responsibility, to challenge that administration, to raise their voice in vigorous dissent and to challenge the way in which the state is doing business. And those who fail to do that, should be charged with patriotic treason!”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Teddy Roosevelt" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-roosevelt/when-those-who-are-responsible-for-the-leadership-of-state-begin-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Action" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-roosevelt/when-those-who-are-responsible-for-the-leadership-of-state-begin-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/696/teddy-roosevelt-59745_action_when-those-who-are-responsible-for-the-l_2172464.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/696/teddy-roosevelt-59745_action_when-those-who-are-responsible-for-the-l_2172464.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/696/teddy-roosevelt-59745_action_when-those-who-are-responsible-for-the-l_2172464.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“When those who are responsible for the leadership of State begin to move in villainous ways; when they begin…” — Teddy Roosevelt", "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": "Teddy Roosevelt", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teddy-roosevelt/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“When those who are responsible for...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-roosevelt/when-those-who-are-responsible-for-the-leadership-of-state-begin-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teddy-roosevelt/when-those-who-are-responsible-for-the-leadership-of-state-begin-to/#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 } } ] } ```