“We welcome leadership, but we wish our leaders to understand that they derive their strength from us.”

The Outlook,
July 9, 1910

“It is not what we have that will make us a great nation. It is the way in which we use it.”

Speech in the Dakota Territory
July 4, 1886

“A great free people owes it to itself and to all mankind not to sink into helplessness before the powers of evil.”

Fourth Annual Message to Congress,
December 6, 1904

“We must treat each man on his worth and merits as a man.”

Speech at New York State Fair,
September 7, 1903

“There is no meaner moral attitude than that of a timid and selfish neutrality between right and wrong.”

Metropolitan
August, 1915

“I do not intend to offend the prejudices of anyone else, but neither do I intend to allow their prejudices to make me false to my principles.”

Letter,
November 8, 1901

“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.”

The Outlook,
April 1, 1911

“The poorest of all emotions for any American citizen to feel is the emotion of hatred toward his fellows.”

Speech in Oyster Bay, NY
July 4, 1906

“I thoroughly believe that success – the real success – does not depend upon the position you hold, but upon how you carry yourself in that position.”

University of Cambridge, England,
May 26, 1910

“[Peace] is not a means—it is an end. You do not get peace by peace; you get peace as the result of effort.”

Speech in New York City,
February 19, 1899

“My fellow-citizens, no people on earth have more cause to be thankful than ours.”

Second Inaugural Address, March 4, 1905

“The prime national need is for honesty, honesty in public life and in private life, honesty in business and in politics, honesty in the broadest and deepest significance of the word.”

Speech in New York City,
October 30, 1912