An ideal is an unselfish aspiration. Its purpose is the general welfare not only of this but of future generations. It is a thing of the spirit. It is a generous and humane desire that all men may share equally in a common good. Our ideals are the cement, which binds human society.

Address of President Hoover at Valley Forge Park: Valley Forge, Pa., May 30, 1931 (ed. 1931)