It is not fair to ask of others what you are unwilling to do yourself.

The remark expresses a basic ethic of reciprocity and integrity: moral authority depends on personal example. It condemns hypocrisy in leadership and everyday relationships—expecting sacrifice, risk, or discipline from others while exempting oneself. In a Rooseveltian frame, it also aligns with democratic responsibility: public service and social reform require shared burdens, not demands imposed from above. The quote’s force lies in its simplicity: fairness is measured not only by outcomes but by whether the person making the request is willing to be held to the same standard. It functions as a practical test for conscience and for just leadership.