--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our chief usefulness to humanity rests on…" description: "\"Our chief usefulness to humanity rests on our combining power with high purpose. Power undirected by high purpose spells calamity, and high purpose by ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd5/theodore-roosevelt-218_calamity_our-chief-usefulness-to-humanity-rests-o_2454066.jpg" --- # Our chief usefulness to humanity rests on our combining… ![“Our chief usefulness to humanity rests on our combining power with high purpose. Power undirected by high purpose spells calamity, and high purpose by itself is utterly useless if the power to put it into effect is lacking.” quote by Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd5/theodore-roosevelt-218_calamity_our-chief-usefulness-to-humanity-rests-o_2454066.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd5/theodore-roosevelt-218_calamity_our-chief-usefulness-to-humanity-rests-o_2454066.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd5/theodore-roosevelt-218_calamity_our-chief-usefulness-to-humanity-rests-o_2454066.jpg) > “Our chief usefulness to humanity rests on our combining power with high purpose. Power undirected by high purpose spells calamity, and high purpose by itself is utterly useless if the power to put it into effect is lacking.” [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. Combining power with a noble purpose is essential; without purpose, power causes harm, and without power, purpose is ineffective. **In simple terms:** Power needs purpose; purpose needs power. Key Takeaway Align abilities with meaningful goals. Themes purpose power responsibility ethics Mood determined reflective Type inspirational ethical When to use this quote - business strategy - public policy - personal development - nonprofit work Key Concepts Leadership social impact moral philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How can you ensure your influence serves a higher good? - What purpose guides your most powerful actions? A Different Perspective Purpose without power can be idealistic; power without purpose can be destructive. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Calamity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calamity/) [Chief Usefulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chief-usefulness-594788/) [Chiefs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/chiefs/) [Combining](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/combining/) [Effects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effects/) [High Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-purpose-594786/) [Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Lacking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lacking/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) [Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/power/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Purpose Power](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose-power-594785/) [Purpose Spells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose-spells-594787/) [Spells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spells/) [Usefulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/usefulness/) [Usefulness Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/usefulness-humanity-594784/) [Useless](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/useless/) ## Related quotes > [living for a high purpose is as honorable as dying for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-chapman-catt/living-for-a-high-purpose-is-as-honorable-as-dying-for-it/) [Carrie Chapman Catt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-chapman-catt/) > [It's one of our favorite American myths that broad plains necessarily make broad minds, and high mountains make high purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sinclair-lewis/it-s-one-of-our-favorite-american-myths-that-broad-plains-necessarily/) [Sinclair Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sinclair-lewis/) > [“The purpose of power was to protect.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-moeller/the-purpose-of-power-was-to-protect/) [Jonathan Moeller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-moeller/) > [Purpose is that Power that will propel you to get out of bed each morning and push you to make your Dreams come true.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/purpose-is-that-power-that-will-propel-you-to-get-out-of-bed-each-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community, against his will, is to prevent harm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/the-only-purpose-for-which-power-can-be-rightfully-exercised-over-any-2/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilized community against his will is to prevent harm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/the-only-purpose-for-which-power-can-be-rightfully-exercised-over-any/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [It's only by starting in a place of peace that we find our purpose and power.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-beck/it-s-only-by-starting-in-a-place-of-peace-that-we-find-our-purpose/) [Martha Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-beck/) > [Most people think that once they've found their purpose and the power to practice it, they'll finally be at peace. Actually, though, it's only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martha-beck/most-people-think-that-once-they-ve-found-their-purpose-and-the-power/) [Martha Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martha-beck/) > [“Purpose is that power that will propel you to get out of bed each morning and push you to make your Dream come true.-RVM”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rvm/purpose-is-that-power-that-will-propel-you-to-get-out-of-bed-each/) [Rvm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rvm/) > [To behold, is not necessary to observe, and the power of comparing and combining is only to be obtained by education. It is much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilhelm-von-humboldt/to-behold-is-not-necessary-to-observe-and-the-power-of-comparing-and/) [Wilhelm von Humboldt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilhelm-von-humboldt/) > ['Untitled' is a time machine that can transport you to 1992, an edgy moment when the art world was crumbling, money was scarce, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-saltz/untitled-is-a-time-machine-that-can-transport-you-to-1992-an-edgy/) [Jerry Saltz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-saltz/) > [Code plus law is combining to reduce rights consumers used to have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-lessig/code-plus-law-is-combining-to-reduce-rights-consumers-used-to-have/) [Lawrence Lessig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-lessig/) > [ Probably the high-watermark of \[Bob\] Dylan's career came after he plugged in his guitar ("Judas!" one fan shouted during a concert) and exploded American… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-michaelson/probably-the-high-watermark-of-bob-dylan-s-career-came-after-he/) [Jay Michaelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-michaelson/) > [ \[Buckminster\] Fuller was an independent operator coming up with these madcap ways of combining things with absolutely no strings attached and the fact that… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathon-keats/buckminster-fuller-was-an-independent-operator-coming-up-with-these/) [Jonathon Keats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathon-keats/) > [Combining the experience of a seasoned university president with the analysis of a respected legal scholar, Derek Bok explores what he concludes are 'signs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-h-t-rhodes/combining-the-experience-of-a-seasoned-university-president-with-the/) [Frank H. T. Rhodes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-h-t-rhodes/) ## More by Theodore Roosevelt > [No people is wholly civilized where a distinction is drawn between stealing an office and stealing a purse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/no-people-is-wholly-civilized-where-a-distinction-is-drawn-between/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [There can be no effective control of corporations while their political activity remains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/there-can-be-no-effective-control-of-corporations-while-their/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Get action. Seize the moment. Man was never intended to become an oyster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/get-action-seize-the-moment-man-was-never-intended-to-become-an-oyster/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Argument weak; speak loudly!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/argument-weak-speak-loudly/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Let the watchwords of all our people be the old familiar watchwords of honesty, decency, fair-dealing, and commonsense."... "We must treat each man on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/let-the-watchwords-of-all-our-people-be-the-old-familiar-watchwords/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [The forces that tend for evil are great and terrible, but the forces of truth and love and courage and honesty and generosity and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/the-forces-that-tend-for-evil-are-great-and-terrible-but-the-forces/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Every reform movement has a lunatic fringe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/every-reform-movement-has-a-lunatic-fringe/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Conservation and rural-life policies are really two sides of the same policy; and down at the bottom this policy rests upon the fundamental law…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/conservation-and-rural-life-policies-are-really-two-sides-of-the-same/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [It is a great mistake to think that the extremist is a better man than the moderate. Usually the difference is not that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/it-is-a-great-mistake-to-think-that-the-extremist-is-a-better-man/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [I am a strong individualist by personal habit, inheritance, and conviction; but it is a mere matter of common sense to recognize that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/i-am-a-strong-individualist-by-personal-habit-inheritance-and/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Alone of human beings the good and wise mother stands on a plane of equal honor with the bravest soldier; for she has gladly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/alone-of-human-beings-the-good-and-wise-mother-stands-on-a-plane-of/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [The greatest privilege and greatest duty for any man is to be happily married, and no other form of success or service, for either…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/the-greatest-privilege-and-greatest-duty-for-any-man-is-to-be-happily/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [For unflagging interest and enjoyment, a household of children, if things go reasonably well, certainly all other forms of success and achievement lose their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/for-unflagging-interest-and-enjoyment-a-household-of-children-if/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [There can be no effective control of corporations while their political activity remains. To put an end to it will be neither a short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/there-can-be-no-effective-control-of-corporations-while-their-2/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [If elected, I shall see to it that every man has a square deal, no less and no more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/if-elected-i-shall-see-to-it-that-every-man-has-a-square-deal-no-less/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) [Explore all 876 Theodore Roosevelt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) ## More Calamity quotes > [The only people who think the Internet is a calamity are people whose lives have been hurt by it; the only people who insist…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chuck-klosterman/the-only-people-who-think-the-internet-is-a-calamity-are-people-whose/) [Chuck Klosterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chuck-klosterman/) > [Forgetting your Self is the greatest injury; all the calamities flow from it. Take care of the most important, the lesser will take care…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/forgetting-your-self-is-the-greatest-injury-all-the-calamities-flow/) [Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-nisargadatta-maharaj/) > [The compensations of calamity are made apparent to the understanding also, after long intervals of time. A fever, a mutilation, a cruel disappointment, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-compensations-of-calamity-are-made-apparent-to-the-understanding/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [When men are unhappy, they do not imagine they can ever cease to be so; and when some calamity has fallen on them, they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epictetus/when-men-are-unhappy-they-do-not-imagine-they-can-ever-cease-to-be-so/) [Epictetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epictetus/) > [In spite of calamity, He still has a plan for me, And it’s working for my good, And it’s building my testimony...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-sapp/in-spite-of-calamity-he-still-has-a-plan-for-me-and-it-s-working-for/) [Marvin Sapp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-sapp/) > [Calamity, war, famine, plague, death, adversity, disease, injury do not necessarily produce repentance. We may become better in a calamity but it does not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fulton-j-sheen/calamity-war-famine-plague-death-adversity-disease-injury-do-not/) [Fulton J. Sheen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fulton-j-sheen/) > [I doubt if I have made the best use of all my calamities. Soft, amiable natures they would have refined to saintliness; of strong,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-bronte/i-doubt-if-i-have-made-the-best-use-of-all-my-calamities-soft-amiable/) [Charlotte Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-bronte/) > [Drudgery, calamity, exasperation, want, are instructors in eloquence and wisdom.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/drudgery-calamity-exasperation-want-are-instructors-in-eloquence-and/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [It is the common calamity of old age to lose whatever might have rendered it desirable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-gibbon/it-is-the-common-calamity-of-old-age-to-lose-whatever-might-have/) [Edward Gibbon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-gibbon/) > [The liberty of the press is a blessing when we are inclined to write against others, and a calamity when we find ourselves overborne…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/the-liberty-of-the-press-is-a-blessing-when-we-are-inclined-to-write/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [There is a big lesson in experiencing uncertainty and calamity with a sober focus - the most chaotic moments are the ones from which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tara-stiles/there-is-a-big-lesson-in-experiencing-uncertainty-and-calamity-with-a/) [Tara Stiles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tara-stiles/) > [The worst calamity: 'To have eyes and fail to see.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/the-worst-calamity-to-have-eyes-and-fail-to-see/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [Such exceptional suffering and calamity, then, affecting the hero, and-we must now add-generally extending far and wide beyond him, so as to make the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-c-bradley/such-exceptional-suffering-and-calamity-then-affecting-the-hero-and/) [A. C. Bradley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-c-bradley/) > [When a man has calamity upon calamity the world generally concludes that he must be a very wicked man to deserve them. Perhaps the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amelia-barr/when-a-man-has-calamity-upon-calamity-the-world-generally-concludes/) [Amelia Barr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amelia-barr/) > [I can remember certain Manchester United defeats the way most people remember family bereavements or great political events. The four-nil drubbing by Barcelona, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-dunne/i-can-remember-certain-manchester-united-defeats-the-way-most-people/) [Tom Dunne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-dunne/) [Browse all 442 Calamity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/calamity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Our chief usefulness to humanity rests on our combining power with high purpose. Power undirected by high purpose spells calamity, and high purpose by itself is utterly useless if the power to put it into effect is lacking.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Theodore Roosevelt" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/our-chief-usefulness-to-humanity-rests-on-our-combining-power-with/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Calamity" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/our-chief-usefulness-to-humanity-rests-on-our-combining-power-with/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd5/theodore-roosevelt-218_calamity_our-chief-usefulness-to-humanity-rests-o_2454066.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd5/theodore-roosevelt-218_calamity_our-chief-usefulness-to-humanity-rests-o_2454066.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fd5/theodore-roosevelt-218_calamity_our-chief-usefulness-to-humanity-rests-o_2454066.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Our chief usefulness to humanity rests on our combining power with high purpose. Power undirected by high…” — Theodore Roosevelt", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Theodore Roosevelt", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Our chief usefulness to humanity rests...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/our-chief-usefulness-to-humanity-rests-on-our-combining-power-with/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/our-chief-usefulness-to-humanity-rests-on-our-combining-power-with/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```