--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Under government ownership corruption can…" description: "\"Under government ownership corruption can flourish just as rankly as under private ownership.\" — Theodore Roosevelt" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f9/theodore-roosevelt-218_corruption_under-government-ownership-corruption-ca_2355531.jpg" --- # Under government ownership corruption can flourish just as… ![“Under government ownership corruption can flourish just as rankly as under private ownership.” quote by Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f9/theodore-roosevelt-218_corruption_under-government-ownership-corruption-ca_2355531.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f9/theodore-roosevelt-218_corruption_under-government-ownership-corruption-ca_2355531.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f9/theodore-roosevelt-218_corruption_under-government-ownership-corruption-ca_2355531.jpg) > “Under government ownership corruption can flourish just as rankly as under private ownership.” [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. Corruption can thrive under both public and private ownership, suggesting systemic issues beyond ownership models. **In simple terms:** Corruption isn’t limited to ownership type. Key Takeaway Address systemic integrity. Themes corruption ownership ethics Mood cautious optimistic Type analytical policy‑oriented When to use this quote - government contracts - private sector audits - NGO oversight - legislative reform Key Concepts political economy public policy corporate governance Questions to Reflect On - What safeguards reduce corruption universally? - How do incentives differ in each sector? A Different Perspective May ignore cultural factors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Corruption](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corruption/) [Government](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/government/) [Ownership](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ownership/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) ## Related quotes > [We gotta get Fannie and Freddie out of government ownership. It makes no sense that these are owned by the government and have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-mnuchin/we-gotta-get-fannie-and-freddie-out-of-government-ownership-it-makes/) [Steve Mnuchin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-mnuchin/) > [We agree with the statement contained in the encyclical Quadragesimo Anno, written by Pope Leo XIII, that "anything which dominates the life of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tommy-douglas/we-agree-with-the-statement-contained-in-the-encyclical-quadragesimo/) [Tommy Douglas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tommy-douglas/) > [The transfer of Wall Street from private ownership to public ownership has been a big step backward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-bogle/the-transfer-of-wall-street-from-private-ownership-to-public/) [John C. Bogle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-bogle/) > [During the Soviet era, private ownership was a crime punishable with up to five years in prison.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anatoly-chubais/during-the-soviet-era-private-ownership-was-a-crime-punishable-with/) [Anatoly Chubais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anatoly-chubais/) > [We have seen that this great labor question cannot be solved save by assuming as a principle that private ownership must be held sacred…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-leo-xiii/we-have-seen-that-this-great-labor-question-cannot-be-solved-save-by/) [Pope Leo XIII](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-leo-xiii/) > [“Communal ownership means that all benefit for a short time; private ownership means that few people benefit over the course of an extended period…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-robert-morse/communal-ownership-means-that-all-benefit-for-a-short-time-private/) [Eric Robert Morse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-robert-morse/) > [As we settle into 2013, I predict this: We'll see companies that promote this shift from private ownership thrive. More people will be able…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-jurich/as-we-settle-into-2013-i-predict-this-we-ll-see-companies-that/) [Lynn Jurich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-jurich/) > [I think private ownership is generally superior to public because you care about the land more and it doesnt get trashed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-malone/i-think-private-ownership-is-generally-superior-to-public-because-you/) [John C. Malone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-malone/) > [This country has achieved its commercial and financial supremacy under a regime of private ownership. It conquered the wilderness, built our railroads, our factories,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-b-cortelyou/this-country-has-achieved-its-commercial-and-financial-supremacy/) George B. Cortelyou > [Private ownership of land is the nether mill-stone. Material progress is the upper mill-stone. Between them, with an increasing pressure, the working classes are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-george/private-ownership-of-land-is-the-nether-mill-stone-material-progress/) [Henry George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-george/) > [For they have always unanimously maintained that nature, rather the Creator Himself, has given man the right of private ownership not only that individuals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-pius-xi/for-they-have-always-unanimously-maintained-that-nature-rather-the/) [Pope Pius XI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-pius-xi/) > [I don't look for much to come out of government ownership as long as we have Democrats and Republicans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kin-hubbard/i-don-t-look-for-much-to-come-out-of-government-ownership-as-long-as/) [Kin Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kin-hubbard/) > [ If the World War \[I\] demonstrated anything it was that government ownership is fraught with the gravest dangers and usually leads to disaster. Take… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/b-c-forbes/if-the-world-war-i-demonstrated-anything-it-was-that-government/) [B. C. Forbes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/b-c-forbes/) > [The analysis in the era of Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher was that government was interfering with the efficiency of the economy through protectionism,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-stiglitz/the-analysis-in-the-era-of-ronald-reagan-and-margaret-thatcher-was/) [Joseph Stiglitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-stiglitz/) > [The diversity of institutions has made possible the combination of government ownership and private enterprise which has been a further characteristic of Canadian development.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/harold-innis/the-diversity-of-institutions-has-made-possible-the-combination-of/) [Harold Innis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/harold-innis/) ## 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 Corruption quotes > [We could form a government of national unity fighting corruption. The ordinary Afghan is sick and tired of it, because it's she or he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashraf-ghani/we-could-form-a-government-of-national-unity-fighting-corruption-the/) [Ashraf Ghani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashraf-ghani/) > [Right now we're concerned about budget. Right now we're concerned about the prospect of interest rate rise. We're concerned about government corruption, government handing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amity-shlaes/right-now-we-re-concerned-about-budget-right-now-we-re-concerned/) [Amity Shlaes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amity-shlaes/) > [In the lead up to the Iraq war and its later conduct, I saw at a minimum, true dereliction, negligence and irresponsibility, at worse,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-zinni/in-the-lead-up-to-the-iraq-war-and-its-later-conduct-i-saw-at-a/) [Anthony Zinni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-zinni/) > [“Don't let cycles of violent crimes, uncontrollable, rising cases of bloody impunity, evil puppets in a crippled judiciary, marionettes in a corrupted legislative system…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelica-hopes/don-t-let-cycles-of-violent-crimes-uncontrollable-rising-cases-of/) [Angelica Hopes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angelica-hopes/) > [What greater weakness can there be than not to know what is the source of one's being, of one's life, of one's senses, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-bruyere/what-greater-weakness-can-there-be-than-not-to-know-what-is-the/) [Jean de la Bruyere](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-bruyere/) > [My aim was to make money for the bank. You lose track of the amounts involved when you are engaged in this kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerome-kerviel/my-aim-was-to-make-money-for-the-bank-you-lose-track-of-the-amounts/) [Jerome Kerviel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerome-kerviel/) > [Democracy must be built through open societies that share information. When there is information, there is enlightenment. When there is debate, there are solutions.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/atifete-jahjaga/democracy-must-be-built-through-open-societies-that-share-information/) [Atifete Jahjaga](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/atifete-jahjaga/) > [As you fight corruption, it fights back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yemi-osinbajo/as-you-fight-corruption-it-fights-back/) [Yemi Osinbajo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yemi-osinbajo/) > [Selfishness is one of the principal fruits of the corruption of human nature; and it is obvious that selfishness disposes us to over-rate our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wilberforce/selfishness-is-one-of-the-principal-fruits-of-the-corruption-of-human/) [William Wilberforce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wilberforce/) > [ Corruption could lead to the collapse of the Party \[Communist Party of China\] and the downfall of the state \[People's Republic of China\]. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/xi-jinping/corruption-could-lead-to-the-collapse-of-the-party-communist-party-of/) [Xi Jinping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/xi-jinping/) > [“Oh where is the noble face of modesty, or the strength of virtue, now that blasphemy is in power and men have put justice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euripides/oh-where-is-the-noble-face-of-modesty-or-the-strength-of-virtue-now/) [Euripides](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euripides/) > [I can say across Europe that many principles that have been taken for granted here around free speech, and around civil liberties and an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/i-can-say-across-europe-that-many-principles-that-have-been-taken-for/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) > [The victory of Hamas is not only based on the corruption of the Palestinian Authority. Hamas has a vision and a program, and this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ismail-haniyeh/the-victory-of-hamas-is-not-only-based-on-the-corruption-of-the/) [Ismail Haniyeh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ismail-haniyeh/) > [It looked incredibly credible!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-horlick/it-looked-incredibly-credible/) Nicola Horlick > [All power corrupts but some must govern.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-le-carre/all-power-corrupts-but-some-must-govern/) [John le Carre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-le-carre/) [Browse all 2,253 Corruption quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corruption/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Under government ownership corruption can flourish just as rankly as under private ownership.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Theodore Roosevelt" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/under-government-ownership-corruption-can-flourish-just-as-rankly-as/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Corruption" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/under-government-ownership-corruption-can-flourish-just-as-rankly-as/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f9/theodore-roosevelt-218_corruption_under-government-ownership-corruption-ca_2355531.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f9/theodore-roosevelt-218_corruption_under-government-ownership-corruption-ca_2355531.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f9/theodore-roosevelt-218_corruption_under-government-ownership-corruption-ca_2355531.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Under government ownership corruption can flourish just as rankly as under private ownership.” — 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": "Under government ownership corruption can flourish...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/under-government-ownership-corruption-can-flourish-just-as-rankly-as/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/under-government-ownership-corruption-can-flourish-just-as-rankly-as/#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 } } ] } ```