Cruelty to men and to the lower animals as well, which would have passed unnoticed a century ago, now shocks the sensibilities and is regarded as wicked and degrading. Elihu Root agoanimalcentury Change image and share on social
The line of least resistance in the progress of civilization is to make that theoretical postulate real by the continually increasing force of the world's public opinion. Elihu Root civilizationcontinuallyforce Change image and share on social
No nation now sets forth to despoil another upon the avowed ground that it desires the spoils. Elihu Root avowdesiredespoil Change image and share on social
Honest people, mistakenly believing in the justice of their cause, are led to support injustice. Elihu Root believehonestinjustice Change image and share on social
It is not uncommon in modern times to see governments straining every nerve to keep the peace, and the people whom they represent, with patriotic enthusiasm and resentment over real or fancied wrongs, urging them forward to war. Elihu Root enthusiasmfancyforward share on social
The popular tendency is to listen approvingly to the most extreme statements and claims of politicians and orators who seek popularity by declaring their own country right in everything and other countries wrong in everything. Elihu Root approvinglyclaimcountry share on social
Gradually, everything that happens in the world is coming to be of interest everywhere in the world, and, gradually, thoughtful men and women everywhere are sitting in judgment upon the conduct of all nations. Elihu Root comeconductgradually share on social
Nothing is more important in the preservation of peace than to secure among the great mass of the people living under constitutional government a just conception of the rights which their nation has against others and of the duties their nation owes to others. Elihu Root conceptionconstitutionalduty share on social
The growth of modern constitutional government compels for its successful practice the exercise of reason and considerate judgment by the individual citizens who constitute the electorate. Elihu Root citizencompelconsiderate Change image and share on social
Human nature must have come much nearer perfection than it is now, or will be in many generations, to exclude from such a control prejudice, selfishness, ambition, and injustice. Elihu Root ambitioncontrolexclude Change image and share on social