“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, Washington
December 5, 1905

“Our relations with the other powers of the world are important; but still more important are our relations among ourselves.”

Inaugural Address
March 4, 1905

“It is entirely inexcusable to try to combine the unready hand with the unbridled tongue.”

An Autobiography
1913

“The only safe and honorable rule of foreign policy for the United States is to show itself courteous toward other nations, scrupulous not to infringe upon their rights, and yet able and ready to defend its own.”

Speech at Cairo, Illinois
October 3, 1907

“Any country whose people conduct themselves well can count upon our hearty friendship.”

Fourth Annual Message,
December 6, 1904

“The republic cannot stand if honesty and decency do not prevail alike in public and private life.”

Speech in Galena, IL
April 27, 1900

“Remember what a legislative body is. It is a body whose first duty is to act, not to talk.”

Speech in New York City
March 6, 1891

“If we are really to be a great nation, we must not merely talk big; we must act big.”

Editorial in the Metropolitan
September 1917

“No republic can last if corruption is allowed to eat into public life.”

Speech before the Hamilton Club, Chicago, IL
September 8, 1910

“We have fallen heirs to the most glorious heritage a people ever received, and each one must do his part if we wish to show that the nation is worthy of its good fortune.”

Speech in the Dakota Territory,
July 4, 1886

“Good legislation does not secure good government, which can come only through a good administration.”

Speech in New York,
May 25, 1900

“The first duty of the government is relentlessly to put a stop to the violence and then to deal firmly and wisely with all the conditions that led up to the violence.”

Letter to Victor A. Olander,
Illinois State Federation of Labor,
July 17, 1917