“Sometimes I wonder if we shall ever grow up in our politics and say definite things which mean something, or whether we shall always go on using generalities to which everyone can subscribe, and which mean very little.”
- October 11, 1884 – November 7, 1962
- American
- First Lady of the United States, Diplomat, Human Rights Advocate, Chair of the UN Human Rights Commission
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Quote
“Sometimes I wonder if we shall ever grow up in our politics and say definite things which mean something, or whether we shall always go on using generalities to which everyone can subscribe, and which mean very little.”
Explanation
In this quote, Eleanor Roosevelt critiques the vague and often evasive language used in political discourse, expressing frustration with how generalities can obscure real meaning and avoid accountability. By asking whether politics will ever “grow up,” she challenges leaders and citizens alike to move beyond platitudes and toward clear, honest, and substantive communication.
Roosevelt was deeply engaged in both American and international politics, and she understood the power of words to either inspire change or maintain the status quo. Her concern here is that when political language is too broad, it becomes meaningless—designed more to appease than to inform or lead. She calls for a more mature political culture—one that is candid about values, specific in proposals, and transparent in intent.
This quote remains highly relevant today, as public trust in political language is often eroded by spin, empty slogans, and noncommittal rhetoric. Roosevelt reminds us that democracy thrives on clarity and integrity, and that citizens deserve more than agreeable vagueness—they deserve truth, even when it’s uncomfortable. Growing up in politics, as she envisioned, means having the courage to speak clearly and stand firmly.
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