“Politics is the practical exercise of the art of self-government, and somebody must attend to it if we are to have self-government; somebody must study it, and learn the art, and exercise patience and sympathy and skill to bring the multitude of opinions and wishes of self-governing people into such order that some prevailing opinion may be expressed and peaceably accepted. Otherwise, confusion will result either in dictatorship or anarchy. The principal ground of reproach against any American citizen should be that he is not a politician. Everyone ought to be, as Lincoln was.”
Quote by Elihu Root
Author
Elihu Root
Elihu Root was a distinguished American statesman and lawyer who served as the 22nd United States Secretary of State under President Theodore Roosevelt. A leading figure of the Progressive Era, Root is renowned for his pivotal role in shaping U.S. foreign policy, notably in the construction of the Panama Canal and the negotiation of the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty. He was also a former U.S. Senator from New York and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1912 for his contributions to peace and international cooperation. more
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