“Is America a weakling, to shrink from the work of the great world powers?”

— Theodore Roosevelt, Letter to John Hay, 7 June 1897

About Theodore Roosevelt

1858 – 1919

Twenty-sixth President of the United States, known for his 1910 speech "Citizenship in a Republic".

“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood...”

“The worst lesson that can be taught a man is to rely upon others and to whine over his sufferings.”

“Greatness means strife for nation and man alike.”

“What a piece of work is a man! How noble in reason, how infinite in faculty!”

“We will walk on our own feet; we will work with our own hands; we will speak our own minds.”

“Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does the work.”

“Hard work is simply the refuge of people who have nothing whatever to do.”

“Why does this magnificent applied science which saves work and makes life easier bring us so little happiness?”

“I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat.”