--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The reactionary is always willing to take…" description: "\"The reactionary is always willing to take a progressive attitude on any issue that is dead.\" — Theodore Roosevelt" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/588/theodore-roosevelt-218_attitude_the-reactionary-is-always-willing-to-tak_1655617.jpg" --- # The reactionary is always willing to take a progressive… ![“The reactionary is always willing to take a progressive attitude on any issue that is dead.” quote by Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/588/theodore-roosevelt-218_attitude_the-reactionary-is-always-willing-to-tak_1655617.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/588/theodore-roosevelt-218_attitude_the-reactionary-is-always-willing-to-tak_1655617.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/588/theodore-roosevelt-218_attitude_the-reactionary-is-always-willing-to-tak_1655617.jpg) > “The reactionary is always willing to take a progressive attitude on any issue that is dead.” [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. Progressive ideas are often applied to issues already considered resolved. **In simple terms:** Progressive attitudes target dead issues. Key Takeaway Apply fresh perspectives to settled matters. Themes progress stagnation innovation Mood analytical thoughtful Type philosophical advice When to use this quote - policy reform - organizational change - cultural shifts Key Concepts political theory change management Questions to Reflect On - Which “dead” issues need new ideas? - How to recognize truly dead topics? A Different Perspective Progress may be wasted on irrelevant topics. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) [Reactionary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reactionary/) ## Related quotes > [“The Word has a creative spirit. It remains an inspiration for those willing to be progressive according to God’s will.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gift-gugu-mona/the-word-has-a-creative-spirit-it-remains-an-inspiration-for-those/) [Gift Gugu Mona](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gift-gugu-mona/) > [I am a man who believes with all fervor and intensity in moderate progress. Too often men who believe in moderation believe in it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/i-am-a-man-who-believes-with-all-fervor-and-intensity-in-moderate/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Everyone is a reactionary about subjects he understands.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-conquest/everyone-is-a-reactionary-about-subjects-he-understands/) [Robert Conquest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-conquest/) > [To make things 'perfectly clear' is reactionary and stupefying. The real is not perfectly clear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/avital-ronell/to-make-things-perfectly-clear-is-reactionary-and-stupefying-the-real/) [Avital Ronell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/avital-ronell/) > [What we discovered, counter-intuitively, is that when you start killing a cancer cell, one of the things it does in order to survive is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-soon-shiong/what-we-discovered-counter-intuitively-is-that-when-you-start-killing/) [Patrick Soon-Shiong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-soon-shiong/) > [ An artist must be a reactionary. He has to stand out against the tenor \[group think\] of the age and not go flopping along.… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-waugh/an-artist-must-be-a-reactionary-he-has-to-stand-out-against-the-tenor/) [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) > [“Kings may usurp thrones, republics may be established, but the town scarcely stirs. Plassan sleeps while Paris fights.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mile-zola/kings-may-usurp-thrones-republics-may-be-established-but-the-town/) [Émile Zola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mile-zola/) > [A reactionary revolution is nothing but a high-speed evolution backwards!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/a-reactionary-revolution-is-nothing-but-a-high-speed-evolution/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [Empirical debunking cannot reach the deepest fear of the reactionary mind, which is that the state - that devouring leviathan - will soon swallow…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-perlstein/empirical-debunking-cannot-reach-the-deepest-fear-of-the-reactionary/) [Rick Perlstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-perlstein/) > [A reactionary is someone who wants to return to a previous state - that's never a possibility in my books. For me, everything's irreversible…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-houellebecq/a-reactionary-is-someone-who-wants-to-return-to-a-previous-state-that/) [Michel Houellebecq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-houellebecq/) > [An author who sets about to depict events of the past that have run their course is suspected of wishing to avoid the problems…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lion-feuchtwanger/an-author-who-sets-about-to-depict-events-of-the-past-that-have-run/) [Lion Feuchtwanger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lion-feuchtwanger/) > [“I've said that anyone who doesn't contradict himself is a dogmatist, and every dogmatist is a reactionary.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez/i-ve-said-that-anyone-who-doesn-t-contradict-himself-is-a-dogmatist/) [Gabriel García Márquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabriel-garc-a-m-rquez/) > [An artist must be a reactionary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evelyn-waugh/an-artist-must-be-a-reactionary/) [Evelyn Waugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evelyn-waugh/) > [“Revolution is progressivist and seeks the strengthening of the state; rebellion is reactionary and seeks its disappearance. The revolutionary is a potential government official;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-gomez-davila/revolution-is-progressivist-and-seeks-the-strengthening-of-the-state/) [Nicolás Gómez Dávila](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-gomez-davila/) > [It's a constant process for me to learn to take the time to really understand what hurt me and how best to address it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/it-s-a-constant-process-for-me-to-learn-to-take-the-time-to-really/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) ## 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 Attitude quotes > [“WE CAN'T ALWAYS CONTROL OUR CIRCUMSTANCES BUT WE CAN CONTROL OUR ATTITUDE. WE MUST BE MORE CONCERNED WITH WHAT WE DO WITH WHAT HAPPENS…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-j-ashton/we-can-t-always-control-our-circumstances-but-we-can-control-our/) [MARVIN J. ASHTON](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-j-ashton/) > [It's not the method, it's the mindset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-gilbert/it-s-not-the-method-it-s-the-mindset/) [Andy Gilbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-gilbert/) > [The vision of the left, full of envy and resentment, takes its worst toll on those at the bottom - whether black or white…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sowell/the-vision-of-the-left-full-of-envy-and-resentment-takes-its-worst/) [Thomas Sowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sowell/) > [Changes before your eyes, things you can do and things you can't. My attitude is always let it keep rolling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terrence-malick/changes-before-your-eyes-things-you-can-do-and-things-you-can-t-my/) [Terrence Malick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terrence-malick/) > [Vow to be valiant. Resolve to be radiant. Determine to be dynamic. Strive to be sincere. Aspire to be attuned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/vow-to-be-valiant-resolve-to-be-radiant-determine-to-be-dynamic/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [Don't judge me because I'm stupid. Don't judge me because I'm, mean. Don't judge me because I'm weird. Don't judge me for mistakes. Because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isaiah-harden-me/don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-stupid-don-t-judge-me-because-i-m-mean-don/) Isaiah Harden (Me > [Your feelings (mood) dictate your thought, your thought determines your attitude (reactions) and your attitude describes your lifestyle, so: be careful how you feel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheye-hassan/your-feelings-mood-dictate-your-thought-your-thought-determines-your/) Sheye Hassan > [Success will come when the societal attitude changes and not a single woman in America asks herself the question 'What did I do?'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/success-will-come-when-the-societal-attitude-changes-and-not-a-single/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) > [“Good Seeds! Gratitude is the Greatest Attitude that has no Substitute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bernard-kelvin-clive/good-seeds-gratitude-is-the-greatest-attitude-that-has-no-substitute/) [Bernard Kelvin Clive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bernard-kelvin-clive/) > [Jeff Chu's pilgrimage across America to discover his own place as a gay man in the Christian church as well as attitudes about being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-freitas/jeff-chu-s-pilgrimage-across-america-to-discover-his-own-place-as-a/) [Donna Freitas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-freitas/) > [One genuine reason to feel jealous of my parents:-) I will never ever have a kid as awesome as their's...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-genuine-reason-to-feel-jealous-of-my-parents-i-will-never-ever/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm optimistic Hong Kong will achieve universal suffrage - no matter the attitude of Beijing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joshua-wong/i-m-optimistic-hong-kong-will-achieve-universal-suffrage-no-matter/) [Joshua Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joshua-wong/) > [My attitude it that you don't give in.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-taylor/my-attitude-it-that-you-don-t-give-in/) [Phil Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-taylor/) > [Transparency pertains to impartial behavior, implies openness, communication, and accountability. Inculcate transparency in attitude and experience a life free of controversy and blame](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dr-anil-kr-sinha/transparency-pertains-to-impartial-behavior-implies-openness/) [Dr Anil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dr-anil-kr-sinha/) > [And if the mind thinks with a believing attitude one can do amazing things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/and-if-the-mind-thinks-with-a-believing-attitude-one-can-do-amazing/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) [Browse all 9,543 Attitude quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attitude/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The reactionary is always willing to take a progressive attitude on any issue that is dead.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Theodore Roosevelt" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/the-reactionary-is-always-willing-to-take-a-progressive-attitude-on/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Attitude" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/the-reactionary-is-always-willing-to-take-a-progressive-attitude-on/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/588/theodore-roosevelt-218_attitude_the-reactionary-is-always-willing-to-tak_1655617.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/588/theodore-roosevelt-218_attitude_the-reactionary-is-always-willing-to-tak_1655617.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/588/theodore-roosevelt-218_attitude_the-reactionary-is-always-willing-to-tak_1655617.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The reactionary is always willing to take a progressive attitude on any issue that is dead.” — 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": "The reactionary is always willing to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/the-reactionary-is-always-willing-to-take-a-progressive-attitude-on/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/the-reactionary-is-always-willing-to-take-a-progressive-attitude-on/#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 } } ] } ```