Speech by Theodore Roosevelt
Subject(s): Exercise, Horsemanship, Hunting, Physical fitness
Click on image to zoom in
President Roosevelt speaks on the value of exercise and athleticism, saying that it is “an aid to vigor of mind, and above all, to vigor of character,” but that it should not become an end unto itself. He reflects that he believes himself to be average in the areas of hunting, riding, and general exercise, but makes the point that he nevertheless chooses to do them. Roosevelt highlights that many other people could choose to do similar activities, but do not always do so, and says that making the choice to go out and do these sorts of ordinary activities “is the ordinary kind of success or kind of greatness” that anyone can achieve.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1909-02-01
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Language
English
Period
U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)
Page Count
3
Production Method
Record Type
Multi-image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
Speech by Theodore Roosevelt. [February 1, 1909]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o302132. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Speech by Theodore Roosevelt. [1 Feb. 1909]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. May 7, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o302132.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1909, February 1]. Speech by Theodore Roosevelt.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o302132.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. May 7, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
