"I am certain that the only permanently safe attitude for this country as regards national preparedness for self-defense is along its lines of universal service on the Swiss model. Switzerland is the most democratic of nations. Its army is the most democratic army in the world. There isn't a touch of militarism or aggressiveness about Switzerland. It has been found as a matter of actual practical experience in Switzerland that the universal military training has made a very marked increase in social efficiency and in the ability of the man thus trained to do well for himself in industry. The man who has received the training is a better citizen, is more self-respecting, more orderly, better able to hold his own, and more willing to respect the rights of others and at the same time he is a more valuable and better paid man in his business."
Quote Details
Added by wikiquote-import-bot
Unverified quote
0 likes
Original Language: English
Available Languages (1)
Sources
Theodore Roosevelt, "Address to the Knights of Columbus" (October 1915)
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Switzerland
Revision History
No revisions have been submitted for this quote.
Categories
Switzerland
12 quotes on TrueQuotesView all quotes by Switzerland →
Related Quotes
"I have to say that everybody from David Cameron to half this panel say, "Wouldn't it be terrible if we were like Norw…"
"There is no more beautiful scenery or climate for summer travel than Switzerland presents. The people are industrious…"
"Switzerland is only bearable covered with snow... like some people are only bearable under a sheet."
"Switzerland is a small, steep country, much more up and down than sideways, and is all stuck over with large brown ho…"
"The MIVILUDES’ mandate is to crack down on “cultic deviances,” while [the Intercantonal Information Center on Beliefs…"
"Yet the real explanation lies a little deeper; after all, the simple existence of competitors, and of bitter feelings…"
"Romantic Switzerland! thy scenes are traced With characters of strange wild loveliness, Beauty and desolation, side b…"
"the great extent to which the prosperity of the Swiss economy is based on riches accumulated through collaboration wi…"
"Centuries later knights on horseback were to learn a similar lesson in fighting from the massed infantry of Swiss sol…"
"The Swiss are offended at being called gentlemen, and have to establish the proof of their low origin, in order to qu…"