We must know what we think and speak out, even at the risk of unpopularity. In the final analysis, a democratic government represents the sum total of the courage and the integrity of its individuals. It cannot be better than they are. … In the long run there is no more exhilarating experience than to determine one's position, state it bravely and then act boldly." - Meaning and context.">
QuotesCosmos
pp. 119–120
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We must know what we think and speak out, even at the risk of unpopularity. In the final analysis, a democratic government represents the sum total of the courage and the integrity of its individuals. It cannot be better than they are. … In the long run there is no more exhilarating experience than to determine one's position, state it bravely and then act boldly.

— Eleanor Roosevelt

What It Means

This is a placeholder explanation generated by the low-overhead model. It interprets "We must know what we think and speak out, even at the risk of unpopularity. In the final analysis, a democratic government represents the sum total of the courage and the integrity of its individuals. It cannot be better than they are. … In the long run there is no more exhilarating experience than to determine one's position, state it bravely and then act boldly." in the context of "pp. 119–120" to mean that wisdom is timeless.

Source: Wikiquote: "Eleanor Roosevelt" (Quotes, Tomorrow Is Now (1963)) The 'What it means' explanation text was generated by Google Gemini Flash (accessed January 18, 2026). https://gemini.google.com/app

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#Eleanor Roosevelt#unpopularity#exhilarating#individuals#democratic#government#represents#experience#integrity#determine#analysis#position
Eleanor Roosevelt

About Eleanor Roosevelt

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (11 October 1884 – 7 November 1962) was an American political figure, diplomat, social activist. and first lady (as the wife of US President Franklin Delano Roosevelt).