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Theodore Roosevelt's Words of Wit and Wisdom
"There has never yet been a man in our history who led a life of ease whose name is worth remembering."
The 26th President of the United States of America had quite the reputation. Born with asthma and a sickly child in his youth, Theodore Roosevelt epitomizes the American dream by overcoming his ailments and seeking the fullest life he could lead. As an adult, Roosevelt was an avid naturalist, well-read author, brave soldier, and a plucky explorer even in old age. Affable yet gruff and wise, he led the country into the progressive era and championed public policy causes for the lower and middle classes.
Many feathers lie in Teddy Roosevelt’s cap. At the time, he was the youngest United States president. He won the Nobel Peace Prize at the close of the Russo-Japanese War. Despite the fact that his campaign ran on the slogan "Speak softly and carry a big stick," Roosevelt was opinionated and dedicated to seeing his ideas evolve into actions. Our national parks owe thanks to Roosevelt, who was an advocate for the outdoors. It seems fitting that his face is always looking out across the horizon in Mount Rushmore with national heroes and US Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln. The Panama Canal and our modern American navy owe their thanks to Roosevelt as well.
With a deep well of biographical experience to draw on, these strenuous epigraphs offer some of the most striking truths, pieces of wisdom, quips, and quotes from the big game hunter, war hero, trust buster himself- Theodore Roosevelt.
In the series Classic Thoughts and Thinkers , explore some of the most influential texts of our time along with the inner workings of its greatest thinkers. With works from great American figures such as Theodore Roosevelt and Emily Dickinson and seminal documents including the Constitution of the Unites States, this series focuses on the most reflective and thought-provoking writings of the last two centuries. These beautiful hardcovers are the perfect historical perspective for meeting the challenges of the modern world.
Other titles in this series include : As a Man Thinketh, Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Collected Poems of Robert Frost, Common Sense, Constitution of the United States with the Declaration of Independence, Helen Keller, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, and Selected Poems of Emily Dickinson,
The 26th President of the United States of America had quite the reputation. Born with asthma and a sickly child in his youth, Theodore Roosevelt epitomizes the American dream by overcoming his ailments and seeking the fullest life he could lead. As an adult, Roosevelt was an avid naturalist, well-read author, brave soldier, and a plucky explorer even in old age. Affable yet gruff and wise, he led the country into the progressive era and championed public policy causes for the lower and middle classes.
Many feathers lie in Teddy Roosevelt’s cap. At the time, he was the youngest United States president. He won the Nobel Peace Prize at the close of the Russo-Japanese War. Despite the fact that his campaign ran on the slogan "Speak softly and carry a big stick," Roosevelt was opinionated and dedicated to seeing his ideas evolve into actions. Our national parks owe thanks to Roosevelt, who was an advocate for the outdoors. It seems fitting that his face is always looking out across the horizon in Mount Rushmore with national heroes and US Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln. The Panama Canal and our modern American navy owe their thanks to Roosevelt as well.
With a deep well of biographical experience to draw on, these strenuous epigraphs offer some of the most striking truths, pieces of wisdom, quips, and quotes from the big game hunter, war hero, trust buster himself- Theodore Roosevelt.
In the series Classic Thoughts and Thinkers , explore some of the most influential texts of our time along with the inner workings of its greatest thinkers. With works from great American figures such as Theodore Roosevelt and Emily Dickinson and seminal documents including the Constitution of the Unites States, this series focuses on the most reflective and thought-provoking writings of the last two centuries. These beautiful hardcovers are the perfect historical perspective for meeting the challenges of the modern world.
Other titles in this series include : As a Man Thinketh, Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Collected Poems of Robert Frost, Common Sense, Constitution of the United States with the Declaration of Independence, Helen Keller, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, and Selected Poems of Emily Dickinson,
92 pages, Hardcover
First published January 5, 2016
2 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
About the author
Theodore Roosevelt
2,398 books914 followersTheodore Roosevelt, Jr., also known as T.R., and to the public (but never to friends and family) as Teddy, was the twenty-sixth President of the United States, and a leader of the Republican Party and of the Progressive Movement.
He fathered Alice Roosevelt Longworth, a daughter.
He became the youngest President in United States history at the age of 42. He served in many roles including Governor of New York, historian, naturalist, explorer, author, and soldier (posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2001 for his role at the Battle of San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War).
Roosevelt is most famous for his personality: his energy, his vast range of interests and achievements, his model of masculinity, and his "cowboy" persona.
He fathered Alice Roosevelt Longworth, a daughter.
He became the youngest President in United States history at the age of 42. He served in many roles including Governor of New York, historian, naturalist, explorer, author, and soldier (posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor in 2001 for his role at the Battle of San Juan Hill in the Spanish-American War).
Roosevelt is most famous for his personality: his energy, his vast range of interests and achievements, his model of masculinity, and his "cowboy" persona.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
February 14, 2025
This is more of a 3.5, but Goodreads doesn't have that rating so... This is my first book in my deep dive on President Teddy. I consider him one of the smartest Presidents that we have had, while also being just as racist as the rest. Quite a contrary thing, but we are all products of our time. He gives great advice, "I would teach the young men that he who has not wealth owes his first duty to his family, while he who has means owes his to the state. It is ignoble to go on heaping money on money. I would preach the doctrine of work to all, and to men of wealth the doctrine of unremunerative work.". Too bad, the people of today who are men of wealth don't try this work... and we are all the worse off.
He had some profound statements, "We need in our public life, as in our private life, the virtues that every one could practise if he would. We need the will to practise them. There are two kinds of greatness that can be achieved. There is the greatness that comes to the man who can do what no one else can do. That is a mighty rare kind, and, of course, it can only be achieved by the man of special and unusual qualities. Then there is the other kind that comes to the man who does the things that every one could do, but that every one does not do. Who goes ahead and does them himself. To do that, you first of all have got to school yourself to do the ordinary, commonplace things."
And... "A free library, where each man, each woman, has the chance to get for himself or herself the
training that he has the character to desire and to acquire. Now, of course, our common school system lies at the foundation of our educational system, but it is the foundation only. The men that are to stand preeminent as the representatives of the culture of the community must educate themselves."
But then he also has statements which for me, of the black population of the country, was nothing short of bullshit, "I want to see the average American citizen be in the future, as he has been in the past, a decent man, doing no wrong, and, on the other hand, able to hold his own also."
More like, I want to see the average American citizen be in the future, WHAT HE HASN'T BEEN in the past, a decent man, doing no wrong, and, on the other hand, able to hold his own also.
He had some profound statements, "We need in our public life, as in our private life, the virtues that every one could practise if he would. We need the will to practise them. There are two kinds of greatness that can be achieved. There is the greatness that comes to the man who can do what no one else can do. That is a mighty rare kind, and, of course, it can only be achieved by the man of special and unusual qualities. Then there is the other kind that comes to the man who does the things that every one could do, but that every one does not do. Who goes ahead and does them himself. To do that, you first of all have got to school yourself to do the ordinary, commonplace things."
And... "A free library, where each man, each woman, has the chance to get for himself or herself the
training that he has the character to desire and to acquire. Now, of course, our common school system lies at the foundation of our educational system, but it is the foundation only. The men that are to stand preeminent as the representatives of the culture of the community must educate themselves."
But then he also has statements which for me, of the black population of the country, was nothing short of bullshit, "I want to see the average American citizen be in the future, as he has been in the past, a decent man, doing no wrong, and, on the other hand, able to hold his own also."
More like, I want to see the average American citizen be in the future, WHAT HE HASN'T BEEN in the past, a decent man, doing no wrong, and, on the other hand, able to hold his own also.
August 27, 2017
Good compilation for some great quotes and inspirations.
November 25, 2023
This is a handy quick reference to the wit and wisdom of President Theodore Roosevelt. He speaks of working hard, having good moral character, and everyone deserving a square deal.
February 1, 2017
A wonderful compendium of President Theodore Roosevelt's quotes and out-takes from speeches. We could use a Teddy Roosevelt today.
"In the long run, the most unpleasant truth is a safer companion than a pleasant falsehood"
"Let us resolutely refuse to use
the knife that will be less dangerous for the disease than the suffer"
"In the long run, the most unpleasant truth is a safer companion than a pleasant falsehood"
"Let us resolutely refuse to use
the knife that will be less dangerous for the disease than the suffer"
October 21, 2016
I took my time with this book, trying to absorb the wisdom in the words. I feel sad in a way that TR's thoughts that decency is a vital component in a successful life & country are no longer relevant.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews