“The best lesson that any people can learn is that there is no patent cure-all which will make the body politic perfect, and that any man who is able glibly to answer every question as to how to deal
with the evils of the body politic is at best a foolish
visionary and at worst an evil-minded quack.”

– The Outlook, April 10, 1909

“A man who goes into politics should not expect to
reform everything right off, with a jump.”

– Buffalo, NY, July 26, 1893

“Perhaps there is no more important component of
character than steadfast resolution.”

– The Strenuous Life, 1900

“We always liked snow at Christmas time, and the sleigh-ride
down to the church on Christmas eve.”

– An Autobiography, 1913

“The welfare of each of us is dependent fundamentally
upon the welfare of all of us.”

– Address in Syracuse, NY, September 7, 1903

“Legislation to be permanently good for any class must also be good for the Nation as a whole, and legislation which does injustice
to any class is certain to work harm to the Nation.”

– Address in Syracuse, NY, September 7, 1903

“A compromise which results in a half-step toward evil is all wrong, just as the opportunist who saves himself for the moment by
adopting a policy which is fraught with future disaster is all wrong.”

– The Strenuous Life, 1901

“Let us remember that, as much has been given us, much will be expected from us; and that true homage comes from the
heart as well as from the lips and shows itself in deeds.”

– Proclamation 466, Thanksgiving Day – November 2, 1901

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

– The Groton School, Groton, MA, May 24, 1904

“When we have the power, I most earnestly hope, and should
most earnestly advocate, that it be used with the
greatest wisdom and self-restraint.”

– Address in Wheeling, WV, September 6, 1902

“A vote is like a rifle: its usefulness depends
upon the character of the user.”

– An Autobiography, 1913

“If a labor union does wrong, we oppose it as firmly as we oppose a corporation which does wrong; and we stand equally stoutly for the rights of the man of wealth and for the rights of the wage worker.”

– Special Message to Congress, January 31, 1908