Your TR Source
The following is a list of quotations attributed to Theodore Roosevelt. Where a source can be verified, it is noted below along with a brief explanation of the setting or the context for that quote. This list includes a number of quotations for which a source has not been verified in Theodore Roosevelt's writings. The context for many of the quotes included here reflects research that has been conducted throughout the years by curators of the Theodore Roosevelt Collection at Harvard University, which is presented here through a cooperation between Harvard College Library and the Theodore Roosevelt Center. Quotations will be added to this list as staff at both institutions continue their research.
Quentin Roosevelt was studying at the Groton School and had recently written an article. Theodore Roosevelt commended the writing; but, for the reason stated, hesitated to say anything too complimentary.
Draft of a speech with handwritten corrections. Vice President Roosevelt praises Vermont and its people for the services they rendered during the American Civil War. He views the war as bringing together a diverse range of people to fight for a “lofty ideal.” At the war’s conclusion, the soldiers returned to civilian life with a sense of duty well done and a feeling of community interest that would eventually extend even to “the gallant men who wore the grey.” Roosevelt holds the Civil War veterans up as a model to follow and shows how recent American conflicts have taught similar lessons in a lesser way.
President Roosevelt addresses citizens of Ventura and marvels at the unity of the American people. He discusses his travels through the country and the agriculture of California, a state he describes as “west of the west.” He also thanks the teachers for “what they have done” and speaks of character building and citizenship.
Roosevelt spoke these words to assemblymen gathered in at the Spring of 1882 in regards to reported collusion between Jay Gould and Judge Westbrook.
These strong words are included in Theodore Roosevelt’s essay “The Key to Success in Life.”
President Roosevelt spoke these words on July 4, 1906 at Oyster Bay, his home town on Long Island. By now, well into his second term as president, after a lifetime of public service, Roosevelt was under no illusions about human character and political motives. Although he thought of himself as a righteous man, TR knew that righteousness and politics were seldom perfect bedfellows.
A young Theodore Roosevelt writes to his mother Martha Bulloch Roosevelt in 1871, expressing that the family misses her while they are away.
Theodore Roosevelt defines the standards of good citizenship. He also emphasizes that the worst enemy of this country is the man “who tries to excite section against section.”
Theodore Roosevelt defines the standards of good citizenship. He also emphasizes that the worst enemy of this country is the man “who tries to excite section against section.”
Roosevelt wrote these words to a man named J. Edward Myers who criticized the U.S. Navy in the wake of the sinking of the battleship Maine in Havana harbor on February 15, 1898. Roosevelt told Myers he was “heartily ashamed that there are any Americans who should feel as you do.†TR was at the time the Assistant Secretary of the Navy.
In 1909, the Great White Fleet returned home after sailing around the world to demonstrate the nation’s naval strength. Theodore Roosevelt celebrated the accomplishment with one of the last speeches he gave as the President of the United States.
Post Labor Day speech at Worcester, Mass. On Sept. 2, 1902.
Draft of a speech with handwritten corrections. Vice President Roosevelt praises Vermont and its people for the services they rendered during the American Civil War. He views the war as bringing together a diverse range of people to fight for a “lofty ideal.” At the war’s conclusion, the soldiers returned to civilian life with a sense of duty well done and a feeling of community interest that would eventually extend even to “the gallant men who wore the grey.” Roosevelt holds the Civil War veterans up as a model to follow and shows how recent American conflicts have taught similar lessons in a lesser way.
Roosevelt spoke these words in December 1908, just after his hand-picked successor William Howard Taft had been elected as the 27th President of the United States. TR’s rosy opinion of Taft would soon change. By 1912 they were open political (and to a certain degree personal) enemies.
Draft of a speech with handwritten corrections. Vice President Roosevelt praises Vermont and its people for the services they rendered during the American Civil War. He views the war as bringing together a diverse range of people to fight for a “lofty ideal.” At the war’s conclusion, the soldiers returned to civilian life with a sense of duty well done and a feeling of community interest that would eventually extend even to “the gallant men who wore the grey.” Roosevelt holds the Civil War veterans up as a model to follow and shows how recent American conflicts have taught similar lessons in a lesser way.
President Roosevelt speaks to a crowd in New Castle, thanking them for the greeting. He also thanks the Senators and Congressmen for cooperating with him in Washington. Roosevelt discusses the character of the citizens, the need for wise legislation, and the problem of irrigation.
Roosevelt wrote these words to William Peterfield Trent on February 23, 1898. Trent was an American man of letters, and a professor at Sewanee and later at Columbia. Trent must have found the solitude he sought because he published more than a dozen books of literary criticism and history.
Excerpt from a speech of President Roosevelt given at Abilene, Kansas, May 2, 1903.
Theodore Roosevelt recounts the history of the Rough Riders in a letter to President Taft and offers to gather a similar regiment, if needed.
Theodore Roosevelt writes on the keys to success which for him include Courage, Honesty and Common Sense. He then goes on to discuss the paths a man can take to success. Printed 1916 by Federated Publishing Company, New York.