Quotations from Theodore Roosevelt
“TR” probably ranks with Jefferson and Lincoln in terms of American Presidents who “had a way with words.” It is hard to imagine anyone educated in the US not associating him with "Speak softly and carry a big stick…” Most, if not all, will also recognize his eloquent summary of how a person should live their life:
“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious
triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank
with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much,
because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither
victory nor defeat.”
However, we are separated from TR’s presidency by about 100 years and most of his other insightful and thought-provoking remarks have faded from peoples’ awareness. Yet here was a man whose life was, by his own intentions and efforts, “larger than life.” It seems to me that from time-to-time it is useful to consider the thoughts and observations of such a man. Sometimes the language sound a bit archaic, we don’t use words like “righteousness” much anymore, but even after a century his comments on politics seem quite contemporary. More importantly, he believed in being active and productive. For TR, to be alive meant “being in the hunt” and he urges us to join him in life rather than settling for mere existence as a passive observer. At a time when many people feel powerless and believe they live lives without much purpose or meaning, perhaps his words might well serve as a strong tonic for the citizens our current world.
R. Scott Morgan – July 2004
*** On Politics ***
When they call the roll in the Senate, the Senators do not know whether to answer 'Present' or 'Not guilty.'
The death-knell of the republic had rung as soon as the active power became lodged in the hands of those who sought, not to do justice to all citizens, rich and poor alike, but to stand for one special class and for its interests as opposed to the interests of others.
We can have no "50-50" allegiance in this country. Either a man is an American and nothing else, or he is not an American at all.
A just war is in the long run far better for a nation's soul than the most prosperous peace obtained by acquiescence in wrong or injustice.
The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent, experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it, if it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.
The great virtue of my radicalism lies in the fact that I am perfectly ready, if necessary, to be radical on the conservative side.
If I must choose between righteousness and peace, I choose righteousness.
Any man who tries to excite class hatred, sectional hate, hate of creeds, any kind of hatred in our community, though he may affect to do it in the interest of the class he is addressing, is in the long run with absolute certainly that class's own worst enemy.
When I say I believe in a square deal I do not mean ... to give every man the best hand. If the cards do not come to any man, or if they do come, and he has not got the power to play them, that is his affair. All I mean is that there shall be no crookedness in the dealing.
Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft!
*** On Working and Doing ***
Far and away the best prize that life offers is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.
Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell 'em, 'Certainly I can!' Then get busy and find out how to do it.
The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything.
When you play, play hard; when you work, don't play at all.
The best executive is one who has sense enough to pick good people to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it.
No man is justified in doing evil on the ground of expediency.
Do what you can with what you have where you are.
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