“A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned how to walk forward.”
- 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
“A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned how to walk forward.”
Explanation
In this quote, Franklin D. Roosevelt uses a metaphor to criticize the conservative mindset, suggesting that conservatives may have the ability and resources to move forward, but they are often hesitant to embrace change or progress. Roosevelt implies that while conservatives might be content with the status quo and the comfort of tradition, they resist the necessary steps toward progress and innovation. The image of someone with “two perfectly good legs” who “has never learned how to walk forward” suggests a person who is stuck in the past, capable of moving but unwilling to take the necessary steps into the future.
Roosevelt’s criticism is particularly relevant in the context of the New Deal policies he championed. Roosevelt saw the United States facing an economic crisis and believed that bold and innovative government action was needed to address the widespread suffering caused by the Great Depression. His policies often faced opposition from conservative factions who favored a more laissez-faire approach, which Roosevelt believed was no longer suitable for the changing economic realities of the time.
In today’s world, this quote serves as a critique of those who may be resistant to change, whether in politics, business, or social progress. It emphasizes the idea that progress requires a willingness to adapt, evolve, and move forward. Roosevelt’s words remind us that in order to tackle modern challenges, such as economic inequality, climate change, or social justice, we must be willing to move beyond old ways of thinking and embrace innovative solutions for the future.
