“No country will accomplish very much for the world at large unless it elevates itself.”

The Bachelor of Arts,
March, 1886

“Let us be true to our democratic ideal, not by the utterance of cheap platitudes, not by windy oratory, but by living our lives in such a manner as to show that democracy can be efficient.”

Fear God and Take Your Own Part,
1916

“The good citizen must be a good citizen of his own country first before he can with advantage be a good citizen of the world at large.”

Speech at the University of Berlin,
May 12, 1910

“We fight for our own rights. We fight for the rights of mankind… The free people who govern themselves are lined up against the governments which deny freedom to their people.”

Speech at Stock Yards Pavilion, Chicago
April 28, 1917

“There is no limit to the greatness of the future before America, before our beloved land.”

The Great Adventure
1918

“It would be worse than folly on our part to ignore our need for intellectual leadership.”

Speech in Berlin
May 12, 1910

“Under our form of government, no man can accomplish anything by himself. He must work in combination with others.”

Century Magazine
January 1885

“The United States of America has not the option as to whether it will or will not play a great part in the world. It must play a great part.”

Outlook
April 1, 1911

“In popular government results worth having can only be achieved by men who combine worthy ideals with practical good sense.”

Speech in Cambridge, MA
February 23, 1907

“I honor beyond measure those who do their full duty.”

Letter, Oyster Bay, New York
July 19, 1903

“The men who wish to work for decent politics must work practically, and yet must not swerve from their devotion to a high ideal.”

Forum
July, 1894

“I believe with all my heart that the American people are fit for complete self-government.”

Speech in Columbus, OH
February 21, 1912