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 possible.”
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.
Seek balance between realism and integrity.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- legislative drafting
- community organizing
- policy advocacy
- nonprofit management
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you maintain integrity while negotiating?
- When is compromise acceptable?
Compromise can dilute ideals, risking cynicism.