“Rules are not necessarily sacred, principles are.”
- January 30, 1882 – April 12, 1945
- American
- Politician
- [Achievements]
- As president of the United States, he promoted economic recovery from the Great Depression with the New Deal policy
- He led the Allied powers to victory in World War II
- [Criticism]
- His hard-line policy toward Japan triggered the attack on Pearl Harbor
- He pushed for the forced internment policy of Japanese Americans due to racist feelings toward the Japanese
- He promoted the Manhattan Project, a plan to develop the atomic bomb
Quote
“Rules are not necessarily sacred, principles are.”
Explanation
In this quote, Franklin D. Roosevelt distinguishes between rules—which can be seen as arbitrary or subject to change—and principles, which are the foundational values or beliefs that guide decision-making and behavior. Roosevelt is suggesting that while rules can be adjusted, amended, or reinterpreted based on circumstances, principles should remain steadfast because they represent core ideals that define what is just, ethical, and right. For Roosevelt, principles like justice, freedom, and equality were the enduring standards by which policies and actions should be judged, even if the rules surrounding them needed to be altered or reformed over time.
This statement reflects Roosevelt’s pragmatic approach to leadership, where he was willing to adapt or even break certain rules in order to uphold the broader principles of fairness and the public good. For example, during his presidency, Roosevelt often pushed for bold reforms in the face of significant opposition, understanding that rigid adherence to outdated rules could hinder progress. His New Deal programs, aimed at alleviating the Great Depression, were sometimes seen as unconventional or even controversial, but Roosevelt justified them based on the principles of ensuring economic justice and providing for the welfare of the American people.
In today’s world, Roosevelt’s words resonate in situations where rules—whether in business, law, or government—are questioned or reformed to better align with fundamental values like human rights, environmental sustainability, or social equity. The idea that principles should be held sacred rather than rules challenges us to reconsider systems or structures that may no longer serve the common good. Whether it’s advocating for civil rights, climate action, or economic reform, Roosevelt’s statement serves as a reminder that ethical principles should guide us, even when the rules of the day need to change.
