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About this quote

What does it mean?
Your true character is revealed by who opposes you rather than who supports you.
In plain terms
Look at your enemies to understand who you really are.
What can you take from it?
Opposition often reveals more about your values than support does.

Where it applies

  • self reflection
  • evaluating leaders
  • assessing influence

Putting it to work

  • reflect on opposition
  • value principled foes
  • assess your impact

Questions to consider

  • Who opposes you and why?
  • Does opposition define you?

Another view

Sometimes enemies oppose you for reasons unrelated to your character.

More from Franklin Delano Roosevelt

  1. Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.

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  2. I'm not the smartest fellow in the world, but I can sure pick smart colleagues.

    Permalink to quote #60
  3. Here is my principle: Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle.

    Permalink to quote #57

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