“The virtues are lost in self-interest as rivers are lost in the sea.”
- 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
“The virtues are lost in self-interest as rivers are lost in the sea.”
Explanation
In this quote, Franklin D. Roosevelt compares the loss of virtues in a society driven by self-interest to the way a river is swallowed by the vastness of the sea. Roosevelt suggests that when individuals or societies become overly focused on their own personal gains, the core values of integrity, compassion, and selflessness become submerged or lost. Just as a river fades into the sea, individual virtues are overshadowed and diluted when the greater good is not prioritized. Roosevelt’s words serve as a warning against greed and individualism in the pursuit of power or wealth, which can erode the moral fabric of a community.
This statement reflects Roosevelt’s progressive ideals and his emphasis on the importance of public service, social responsibility, and the need for a government that works in the best interest of all people, not just a privileged few. Roosevelt’s administration aimed to counteract the excesses of unchecked capitalism and self-interest with initiatives like the New Deal, which focused on addressing economic inequality and ensuring that prosperity was more evenly distributed. He believed that a society grounded in virtue, where individuals acted for the common good, was the foundation of a strong, healthy democracy.
In modern contexts, this quote still speaks to the dangers of greed and self-centeredness in various aspects of life, from business to politics to social behavior. It reminds us that when people or societies become too focused on personal ambition or wealth, they risk losing sight of ethical values and moral responsibility. Roosevelt’s words are a call to balance self-interest with a commitment to shared values and the well-being of the broader community. In a time of growing economic inequality and political polarization, the quote encourages a return to virtue, where the needs of society and the common good are prioritized over individual desires.
