--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We must hold to a rigid accountability…" description: "\"“We must hold to a rigid accountability those public servants who show unfaithfulness to the interests of the nation or inability to rise to the high l..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38e/theodore-roosevelt-218_accountability_we-must-hold-to-a-rigid-accountability-t_726636.jpg" --- # We must hold to a rigid accountability those public… ![“We must hold to a rigid accountability those public servants who show unfaithfulness to the interests of the nation or inability to rise to the high level of the new demands upon our strength and our resources.” quote by Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38e/theodore-roosevelt-218_accountability_we-must-hold-to-a-rigid-accountability-t_726636.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38e/theodore-roosevelt-218_accountability_we-must-hold-to-a-rigid-accountability-t_726636.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38e/theodore-roosevelt-218_accountability_we-must-hold-to-a-rigid-accountability-t_726636.jpg) > ““We must hold to a rigid accountability those public servants who show unfaithfulness to the interests of the nation or inability to rise to the high level of the new demands upon our strength and our resources.”” [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. Public officials must be strictly answerable when they betray national interests or fail to meet new challenges. **In simple terms:** Hold officials accountable for betrayal or incompetence. Key Takeaway Demand accountability and high standards. Themes integrity leadership public service Mood serious determined Type political ethical When to use this quote - government oversight - policy making - citizen activism Key Concepts political ethics responsibility governance Questions to Reflect On - How can we ensure fair accountability without stifling innovation? - What mechanisms protect against abuse of power? A Different Perspective Accountability can be politically weaponized against dissent. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accountability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accountability/) [Accountability Public](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accountability-public-3421002/) [Demands Strength](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demands-strength-1675940/) [Democracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/democracy/) [High level](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-level/) [Public servants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/public-servants/) [Rigid Accountability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rigid-accountability-5699404/) [Servants Unfaithfulness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/servants-unfaithfulness-5699405/) ## Related quotes > [There is no accountability in the public school system - except for coaches. You know what happens to a losing coach. You fire him.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-perot/there-is-no-accountability-in-the-public-school-system-except-for/) [Ross Perot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-perot/) > [“Accountability in public office is but one manifestation of this cultural inheritance, and we should not be surprised that it is the first thing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-scruton/accountability-in-public-office-is-but-one-manifestation-of-this/) [Roger Scruton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-scruton/) > [Deregulation has been, above all else, a means of reducing corporate business's accountability to the public.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-schiller/deregulation-has-been-above-all-else-a-means-of-reducing-corporate/) [Herbert Schiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-schiller/) > [If something is being done on a secret basis in national security, that's a great reason for elected officials to not talk about it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-maddow/if-something-is-being-done-on-a-secret-basis-in-national-security/) [Rachel Maddow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-maddow/) > [Life only demands from you the strength that you possess. 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Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-e-lee/) > [“Life only demands from you the strength you possess.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dag-hammarskj-ld/life-only-demands-from-you-the-strength-you-possess/) [Dag Hammarskjold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dag-hammarskj-ld/) > [Art is jealous, and demands our whole strength ... .](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-van-gogh/art-is-jealous-and-demands-our-whole-strength/) [Vincent Van Gogh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-van-gogh/) > [We must remember not to judge any public servant by any one act, and especially should we beware of attacking the men who are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/we-must-remember-not-to-judge-any-public-servant-by-any-one-act-and/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/to-announce-that-there-must-be-no-criticism-of-the-president-or-that-2/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Actors should remember they are public servants, really, and depend on the response of the people. And the public can be so fickle. That's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agnes-moorehead/actors-should-remember-they-are-public-servants-really-and-depend-on/) [Agnes Moorehead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agnes-moorehead/) > [“It's painful to believe that the would-be 'public servants' you're forced to choose between are all phonies whose only real concern is their own…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-foster-wallace/it-s-painful-to-believe-that-the-would-be-public-servants-you-re/) [David Foster Wallace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-foster-wallace/) > [“He wanted me to understand two big things: First, that nobody, no group, is above others. Public servants are obliged to level with everybody,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-biden/he-wanted-me-to-understand-two-big-things-first-that-nobody-no-group/) [Joe Biden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-biden/) ## 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 Accountability quotes > [Think of these things, whence you came, where you are going, and to whom you must account.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-franklin/think-of-these-things-whence-you-came-where-you-are-going-and-to-whom/) [Benjamin Franklin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-franklin/) > [In the battle for police reform, accountability and justice, Americans don't have to re-invent the wheel. We just have to revoke the thing that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-johnson/in-the-battle-for-police-reform-accountability-and-justice-americans/) [Jason Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-johnson/) > [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/) > [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/) > [Democracy is not being well served as we're accustomed to. There is less information, there's less investigation, there's less analysis, there's less accountability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-greenspon/democracy-is-not-being-well-served-as-we-re-accustomed-to-there-is/) [Edward Greenspon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-greenspon/) > [I come from a world where accountability and accomplishments matter, and where titles and rhetoric take a back seat to results.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-fiorina/i-come-from-a-world-where-accountability-and-accomplishments-matter/) [Carly Fiorina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-fiorina/) > [It means a lot. It means I'm accountable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/champ-bailey/it-means-a-lot-it-means-i-m-accountable/) [Champ Bailey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/champ-bailey/) > [Our particular principles of religion are a subject of accountability to our god alone. I enquire after no man's and trouble none with mine;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/our-particular-principles-of-religion-are-a-subject-of-accountability/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [This strongly asserted but ill-defined license to kill without accountability is not an entitlement which the United States or other states can have without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-alston/this-strongly-asserted-but-ill-defined-license-to-kill-without/) [Philip Alston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-alston/) > [Responsible Development shares many practices with XP but the roots are different. Responsible Development's values are honesty, transparency, accountability and responsibility. These lead me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kent-beck/responsible-development-shares-many-practices-with-xp-but-the-roots/) [Kent Beck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kent-beck/) > [“Opinion is really the lowest form of human knowledge. It requires no accountability, no understanding. The highest form of knowledge… is empathy, for it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-bullard/opinion-is-really-the-lowest-form-of-human-knowledge-it-requires-no/) [Bill Bullard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-bullard/) > [The American people deserve accountability over wasteful spending, and we accomplish that by prioritizing taxpayer dollars in a responsive and responsible manner.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katie-britt/the-american-people-deserve-accountability-over-wasteful-spending-and/) [Katie Britt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katie-britt/) > [If torture is going to be administered as a last resort in the ticking-bomb case, to save enormous numbers of lives, it ought to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-dershowitz/if-torture-is-going-to-be-administered-as-a-last-resort-in-the/) [Alan Dershowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-dershowitz/) > [“There are many professions that require individuals, on an ongoing basis, to pass drug tests, physicals and psychological evaluations in order to keep their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gary-hopkins/there-are-many-professions-that-require-individuals-on-an-ongoing/) [Gary Hopkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gary-hopkins/) > [“Expecting accountability from the UN system was akin to expecting a blind dog to catch a flying Frisbee.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-soussan/expecting-accountability-from-the-un-system-was-akin-to-expecting-a/) [Michael Soussan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-soussan/) [Browse all 860 Accountability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accountability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“We must hold to a rigid accountability those public servants who show unfaithfulness to the interests of the nation or inability to rise to the high level of the new demands upon our strength and our resources.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Theodore Roosevelt" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/we-must-hold-to-a-rigid-accountability-those-public-servants-who-show/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Accountability" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/we-must-hold-to-a-rigid-accountability-those-public-servants-who-show/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38e/theodore-roosevelt-218_accountability_we-must-hold-to-a-rigid-accountability-t_726636.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38e/theodore-roosevelt-218_accountability_we-must-hold-to-a-rigid-accountability-t_726636.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/38e/theodore-roosevelt-218_accountability_we-must-hold-to-a-rigid-accountability-t_726636.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We must hold to a rigid accountability those public servants who show unfaithfulness to the interests of the…” — 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": "“We must hold to a rigid...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/we-must-hold-to-a-rigid-accountability-those-public-servants-who-show/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/we-must-hold-to-a-rigid-accountability-those-public-servants-who-show/#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 } } ] } ```