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Named source · 1906

The Man with the Muck-Rake Quotes by Theodore Roosevelt: Context & Meanings

2 quotations linked to The Man with the Muck-Rake by or associated with Theodore Roosevelt, with source notes, explanations and related topics.

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April 14, 1906 speech on reform, criticism, journalism and public morality

Topics and ideas

Truthful exposure of wrongdoing, honesty, character, proportion, public service, criticism and the dangers of indiscriminate slander.

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Leading themes in this source

Prominent ideas connected with the quotations represented here

Communication 2Honesty 2Responsibility 2Short 2Truth 2Character 2Helping Others 1Integrity 1Service 1Understanding 1
Represented passages

2 quotations with source context and meaning

Source identified1
The liar is no whit better than the thief.
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“The liar is no whit better than the thief.”

Theodore Roosevelt
Meaning & context

Roosevelt argues that criticism loses moral legitimacy when it becomes false, making truthfulness a constraint on reform even when the target of criticism may deserve scrutiny.

Source details

The Man with the Muck-Rake, April 14, 1906. Roosevelt is discussing public criticism, journalism and slander; the surrounding speech simultaneously calls for relentless exposure of genuine wrongdoing when the attack is truthful.

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Source identified2
The men with the muck-rakes are often indispensable to the well-being of society.
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“The men with the muck-rakes are often indispensable to the well-being of society.”

Theodore Roosevelt
Meaning & context

Investigative criticism can serve society, Roosevelt argues, but its usefulness depends on truth, proportion and retaining the ability to distinguish genuine wrongdoing from indiscriminate condemnation.

Source details

The Man with the Muck-Rake, April 14, 1906. This sentence begins a qualification that such critics remain useful only if they know when to stop; the speech is not a blanket rejection of investigative journalism.

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More represented works

Continue through other sources by Theodore Roosevelt

Citizenship in a Republic1910 · 3 quotationsThe New Nationalism1910 · 2 quotationsThe Strenuous Life1899 · 2 quotations
Labor Day Address1903 · 1 quotation