“I advocate preparation for war in order to avert war; and I should never advocate war unless it were the only alternative to dishonor.”

An Autobiography, 1913

“Better ‘trial and error’ than no trial at all.”

The Foes of Our Own Household, 1917

“Wise legislation is vitally important, but honest administration is even more important.”

Philadelphia, PA, June 21, 1900

“The Constitution worked primarily because it was drawn up by practical politicians.”

Newburgh, NY, February 28, 1900

“It is not worthwhile belonging to a big nation unless the big nation is willing when the necessity arises to undertake a big task.”

London, England
May 31, 1910

“If we are to be a really great people, 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.”

Chicago, Illinois
April 10, 1899

“The loose tongue and the unready hand make a poor combination.”

Oyster Bay, New York
July 7, 1915

“The farmer is a good farmer who, having enabled the land to support himself and to provide for the education of his children, leaves it to them a little better than he found it himself. I believe the same thing of a nation.”

Osawatomie, Kansas
August 31, 1901

“If a public man tries to get your vote by saying that he will do something wrong in your interest, you can be absolutely that if ever it becomes worth his while he will do something wrong against your interest.”

Paris, France
April 23, 1910

“No American can overpay the debt of gratitude we all of us owe to the officers and enlisted men of the army and of the navy.”

An Autobiography, 1913

“It is always best to look facts squarely in the face, without blinking them, and to remember that, as has been well said, in the long run even the most uncomfortable truth is a safer companion than the pleasantest falsehood.”

The Sewanee Review
August 1884

“There is no good reason why we should fear the future, but there is every reason why we should face it seriously, neither hiding from ourselves the gravity of the problems before us nor fearing to approach those problems with the unbending, unflinching purpose to solve them aright.”

Inaugural Address
March 4, 1905