Conscience Quote by Theodore Roosevelt
“Peace is normally a great good, and normally it coincides with righteousness, but it is righteousness and not peace which should bind the conscience of a nation as it should bind the conscience of an individual; and neither a nation nor an individual can surrender conscience to another's keeping.”
About This Quote
Righteousness should guide a nation's conscience more than peace; conscience cannot be surrendered to others.
In simple terms: Moral integrity must lead over mere peace.
Key Takeaway
Prioritize ethical principles over comfort.
Themes
ethics
conscience
nation
individual responsibility
peace
Mood
serious
principled
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- government policy
- personal decisions
- social movements
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
political theory
personal integrity
Questions to Reflect On
- What does it mean to bind conscience to righteousness?
- How can individuals resist surrendering conscience?
A Different Perspective
Peace without righteousness may be hollow.
![“[On disagreeing with her husband about his slave-holding:] I cannot give my conscience into the keeping of another human being or submit the actions dictated by my conscience to their will.” quote by Fanny Kemble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/524/fanny-kemble-13000_action_on-disagreeing-with-her-husband-about-hi_2274793.jpg)
![“[D]on't grow old. With age comes caution, which is another name for cowardice… Whatever else you do in life, don't cultivate a conscience. Without a conscience a man may never be said to grow old. This is an age of very old young men.” quote by Hesketh Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/076/hesketh-pearson-35291_age_d-on-t-grow-old-with-age-comes-caution-w_14010.jpg)