"The principle on which this country was..." - Quote by Franklin D Roosevelt
The principle on which this country was founded and by which it has always been governed is that Americanism is a matter of the mind and heart; Americanism is not, and never was, a matter of race or ancestry.
More by Franklin D Roosevelt
“Inside the polling booth every American man and woman stands as the equal of every other American man and woman. There they have no superiors. There they have no masters save their own minds and consciences.”
“These Republican leaders have not been content with attacks on me, on my wife, or on my sons. No, not content with that, they now include my little dog, Fala. Well, of course, I don't resent attacks... but Fala does resent them.”
“If we can boondoggle ourselves out of this depression, that word is going to be enshrined in the hearts of the American people for years to come.”
More on American Identity
“If there is one principle more deeply rooted in the mind of every American, it is that we should have nothing to do with conquest.”
“We're not a fragile people. We're not a frightful people. Our power doesn't come from some self-declared savior promising that he alone can restore order as long as we do things his way. We don't look to be ruled.”
“I have become a symbol of the possibility of America returning to our best traditions.”
More on Principles
“A man's behaviour may be quite harmless and even beneficial, when he ismorally behaving like a scoundrel. And he may do great harm when he is morally acting on the highest principles.”
“The only way to study the mind is to get at facts, and then intellect will arrange them and deduce the principles.”
“Above all, beware of compromises. I do not mean that you are to get into antagonism with anybody, but you have to hold on to your own principles in weal or woe and never adjust them to others "fads" thought the greed of getting supporters.”