Author: cbanaszak@riponsociety.org

“Any effort is to be welcomed that brings people closer together, so as to secure a better understanding among those whose walks of life are in ordinary circumstances far apart.” Social Settlement speech 1902

“…and I ask two things in connection with our foreign policy – that we never wrong the weak and that we never flinch from the strong.” Address in Portland, Oregon May 21, 1903

“A nation’s greatness lies in its possibility of achievement in the present, and nothing helps it more than the consciousness of achievement in the past.” American Ideals 1897

A strong and wise people will study its own failures no less than its triumphs, for there is wisdom to be learned from the study of both, of the mistake as well as of the success. Sixth Annual Address to Congress December 6, 1906

“Your history, rightly studied, will teach us the time worn truth that in war as in peace we need chiefly the everyday commonplace virtues, and above all an unflagging sense of duty.” Address in Burlington, Vermont September 5, 1901

“Remember that the whole is the sum of the parts. It is a very good thing to come out to Fourth of July celebrations and hear what a great country we have.” Address at Oyster Bay July 4, 1906

“Don’t hit a man at all if you can avoid it, but if you have to hit him, knock him out.” Speech in Cleveland, Ohio November 2, 1916

“We need courage, we need decency, and we need the saving grace of common sense.” Address in Shenandoah, Iowa April 28, 1903