General welfare Quote by Theodore Roosevelt
““The absence of effective State, and, especially, national, restraint upon unfair money-getting has tended to create a small class of enormously wealthy and economically powerful men, whose chief object is to hold and increase their power. The prime need to is to change the conditions which enable these men to accumulate power which it is not for the general welfare that they should hold or exercise. We grudge no man a fortune which represents his own power and sagacity, when exercised with entire regard to the welfare of his fellows. Again, comrades over there, take the lesson from your own experience. Not only did you not grudge, but you gloried in the promotion of the great generals who gained their promotion by leading their army to victory. So it is with us. We grudge no man a fortune in civil life if it is honorably obtained and well used. It is not even enough that it should have been gained without doing damage to the community. We should permit it to be gained only so long as the gaining represents benefit to the community.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Political Address, Theodore Roosevelt, early 1900s
Concentration of wealth without public benefit harms society; power should serve the common good.
In simple terms: Wealth should benefit everyone, not just a few.
Key Takeaway
Promote policies that tie wealth to community benefit.
Themes
wealth
power
public good
inequality
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
political
philosophical
When to use this quote
- government regulation
- tax reform
- corporate governance
- community investment
Key Concepts
economic concentration
social responsibility
public policy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we ensure the wealthy contribute fairly?
- What checks prevent power abuse?
A Different Perspective
Wealth can still be harmful even if used responsibly.
