“Far more important than the candidate’s words is the estimate you are able to put upon the closeness with which his deeds will correspond to his words.”

Campaign speech, New York City
October 19, 1898

“The virtue that is worth having is the virtue that can sustain the rough shock of actual living; the virtue that can achieve practical results, that finds expression in actual life.”

At New York State Bar Association Banquet
January 18, 1899

“To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.”

Kansas City Star
May 7, 1918

“I ask you to help strike the note that shall unite our people. As a people we must be united. If we are not united we shall slip into the gulf of measureless disaster.”

Before Knights of Columbus, New York City
October 12, 1915

“In the long run the one vital factor in the permanent prosperity of the country is the high individual character of the average American worker.”

Fifth Annual Message
December 5, 1905

“Be practical as well as generous in your ideals. Keep your eyes on the stars but remember to keep your feet on the ground.”

Address at Groton School
May 24, 1904

“It is always easy for an individual or a party to make promises; the strain comes when the party or individual has to make them good.”

Before Civil Service Reform Association, Baltimore
February 23, 1889

“Government by the people means that the people have the right to do their own thinking and to do their own speaking about their public servants.”

The Kansas City Star
April 6, 1918

“I have never in my life envied a human being who led an easy life; I have envied a great many people who led difficult lives and led them well.”

Speech in Des Moines, Iowa
November 4, 1910

“If the man does his duty as a man, if he is fearless and honorable, upright in his dealings with his fellows, if he does his duty to his family, to the state, that is all that we have the right to ask about him.”

Speech at the Exposition Building, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
April 3, 1903

“We must strive in good faith to play a great part in the world. We cannot avoid meeting great issues. All that we can determine for ourselves is whether we shall meet them well or ill.”

Speech in Chicago, Illinois
April 10, 1899