--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is both foolish and wicked to teach…" description: "\"It is both foolish and wicked to teach the average man who is not well off that some wrong or injustice has been done him, and that he should hope for ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53e/theodore-roosevelt-218_average_it-is-both-foolish-and-wicked-to-teach-t_2031099.jpg" --- # It is both foolish and wicked to teach the average man who… ![“It is both foolish and wicked to teach the average man who is not well off that some wrong or injustice has been done him, and that he should hope for redress elsewhere than in his own industry, honesty, and intelligence.” quote by Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53e/theodore-roosevelt-218_average_it-is-both-foolish-and-wicked-to-teach-t_2031099.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53e/theodore-roosevelt-218_average_it-is-both-foolish-and-wicked-to-teach-t_2031099.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/53e/theodore-roosevelt-218_average_it-is-both-foolish-and-wicked-to-teach-t_2031099.jpg) > “It is both foolish and wicked to teach the average man who is not well off that some wrong or injustice has been done him, and that he should hope for redress elsewhere than in his own industry, honesty, and intelligence.” [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Teaching the poor to seek redress outside their own industry undermines personal responsibility and honesty, encouraging reliance on external solutions. **In simple terms:** Encourage self-reliance over external blame. Key Takeaway Promote personal integrity and industry. Themes justice self-reliance honesty politics social responsibility Mood thoughtful inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - community dispute resolution - personal development workshops - ethical education - policy reform Key Concepts individualism ethical conduct social reform Questions to Reflect On - Can individuals always resolve injustices alone? - How to balance personal effort with collective action? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on personal responsibility may ignore systemic inequities. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Average man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/average-man/) [Fool](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fool/) [Honesty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/honesty/) [Industry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/industry/) [Injustice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/injustice/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) ## Related quotes > [...it isn't foolish or wicked to enjoy. Wickedness is hurting people on purpose. I love what you are and who you are and how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-d-macdonald/it-isn-t-foolish-or-wicked-to-enjoy-wickedness-is-hurting-people-on/) [John D. MacDonald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-d-macdonald/) > [I prefer the wicked rather than the foolish. 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