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Abraham Quote by Theodore Roosevelt

“No man can do both effective and decent work in public life unless he is a practical politician on the one hand, and a sturdy believer in Sunday-school politics on the other. He must always strive manfully for the best, and yet, like Abraham Lincoln, must often resign himself to accept the best…” quote by Theodore Roosevelt
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“No man can do both effective and decent work in public life unless he is a practical politician on the one hand, and a sturdy believer in Sunday-school politics on the other. He must always strive manfully for the best, and yet, like Abraham Lincoln, must often resign himself to accept the best possible.”

Theodore Roosevelt

About This Quote

Source Speech: "Theodore Roosevelt on Public Service", 1905

Effective public work requires both pragmatic political skill and sincere moral conviction; compromise may be necessary.

In simple terms: Good governance blends practicality with principle.

Key Takeaway

Seek balance between realism and integrity.

Themes

politics ethics public service

Mood

thoughtful inspirational

Type

advice philosophical

When to use this quote

  • legislative drafting
  • community organizing
  • policy advocacy
  • nonprofit management

Key Concepts

pragmatism morality leadership

Questions to Reflect On

  • How do you maintain integrity while negotiating?
  • When is compromise acceptable?
A Different Perspective

Compromise can dilute ideals, risking cynicism.

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