Theodore Roosevelt

Conservation and rural-life policies are really two sides of the same policy; and down at bottom this policy rests upon the fundamental law that neither man nor nation can prosper unless, in dealing with the present, thought is steadily taken for the future.

"Rural Life", in The Outlook (27 August 1910), republished in American Problems (vol. 16 of The Works of Theodore Roosevelt, national ed., 1926), chapter 20, p. 146, 1910

I don't think any President ever enjoyed himself more than I did. Moreover, I don't think any ex-President ever enjoyed himself more.

University of Cambridge, England (26 May 1910), 1910

I suppose my critics will call that preaching, but I have got such a bully pulpit!

As quoted by Lyman Abbott, in The Outlook (27 February 1909); repeated in the New York Times (6 March 1909); "Bully" in this sense was common slang adjective for "admirable", "excellent"., 1909

It is a dreadful thing to come into the Presidency in this way; but it would be far worse to be morbid about it. Here is the task, and I have got to do it to the best of my ability.

Probably 1901. Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historical Site -- National Park Service, 1901

I'm as strong as a bull moose and you can use me to the limit.

Letter to Mark Hannah (27 June 1900), 1900

Death is always and under all circumstances a tragedy, for if it is not, then it means that life itself has become one.

Letter to Cecil Spring-Rice (12 March 1900), 1900

I have always been fond of the West African proverb "Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far."

Letter to Henry L. Sprague (26 January 1900); this is the first known use of this phrase, which became a signature motto of Roosevelt's after he used it in a speech as vice president at the Minnesota State Fair:, 1900

In short, in life, as in a football game, the principle to follow is: Hit the line hard; don't foul and don't shirk, but hit the line hard!

"The American Boy", published in St. Nicholas 27, no. 7 (May 1900), p. 574, 1900

It is both foolish and wicked to teach the average man who is not well off that some wrong or injustice has been done him, and that he should hope for redress elsewhere than in his own industry, honesty and intelligence.

"How Not To Better Social Conditions" in Review of Reviews (January 1897), p. 39, 1897

The worst lesson that can be taught a man is to rely upon others and to whine over his sufferings.

"How Not To Better Social Conditions" in Review of Reviews (January 1897), p. 39 · Full text online (with at least two typos — in the last sentence of the article) as "How Not To Help Our Poor Brother", 1897

To sit home, read one's favorite paper, and scoff at the misdeeds of the men who do things is easy, but it is markedly ineffective. It is what evil men count upon the good men's doing.

"The Higher Life of American Cities", in The Outlook (21 December 1895), p. 1083-1085, 1895

There is much talk about "jingoism". If by "jingoism" they mean a policy in pursuance of which Americans will with resolution and common sense insist upon our rights being respected by foreign powers, then we are "jingoes".

In "For An Honest Election". New York Times. 23 Oct 1895. The reference is found halfway down the article., 1895

I don’t go so far as to think that the only good Indian is the dead Indian, but I believe nine out of every ten are, and I shouldn’t like to inquire too closely into the case of the tenth.

Ibid, January 1886 https://www.history.com/news/teddy-roosevelt-race-imperialism-national-parks, 1886

The most vicious cowboy has more moral principle than the average Indian.

January 1886, in a campaign speech given in New York https://www.history.com/news/teddy-roosevelt-race-imperialism-national-parks, 1886

No candid observer will deny that whatever of good there may be in our American civilization is the product of Christianity.

“Our Nation, A Product of Christianity,” Springfield Republican, 1884, editorial., 1884