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About this quote

What does it mean?
Even noble peace movements attract extreme individuals who harm their reputation.
In plain terms
Good causes often get ruined by crazy people on the edges.
What can you take from it?
Watch out for extremists damaging a worthy cause.

Where it applies

  • political campaigns
  • social activism
  • organizational leadership

Putting it to work

  • screening volunteers
  • managing public relations
  • setting boundaries

Questions to consider

  • How do you separate the signal from the noise?
  • When does criticism become sabotage?

Another view

Not all fringe members are equally harmful.

More from Theodore Roosevelt

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  2. I abhor unjust war. I abhor injustice and bullying by the strong at the expense of the weak, whether among nations or individuals. I abhor violence and bloodsh…

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  3. I cannot tell you of what infinitesimal importance I regard this incident as compared with the great issues at stake in this campaign, and I ask it not for my …

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