In the Words of Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt

Description

"We cannot do great deeds unless we are willing to do the small things that make up the sum of greatness."—on Action

"The American people are good-natured to the point of lax indifference; but once roused, they act with the most straightforward and practical resolution."—on America

"Speak softly and carry a big stick—you will go far. If a man continually blusters, if he lacks civility, a big stick will not save him from trouble; and neither will speaking softly avail, if back of the softness there does not lie strength, power."—on the Big Stick

"We are, as a whole, still in that low state of civilization where we do not understand that it is also vandalism wantonly to destroy or to permit the destruction of what is beautiful in nature, whether it be a cliff, a forest, or a species of mammal or bird. Here in the United States we turn our rivers and streams into sewers and dumping-grounds, we pollute the air, we destroy forests, and exterminate fishes, birds and mammals—not to speak of vulgarizing charming landscapes with hideous advertisements. But at last it looks as if our people were awakening."—on Natural Resources

The public life of Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) was marked by his service as the twenty-sixth President of the United States, Vice President, Governor of New York State, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, U.S. Civil Service Commissioner, President of the New York City Police Commission, and New York State Assemblyman. In his life outside of government he was famous as an author, naturalist, rancher, big game hunter, and explorer. The twentieth century would become known as the American Century, and it was Theodore Roosevelt, through his foreign policy, who ushered the United States into the ranks of the world''s great powers. In domestic affairs, he used his presidential powers to level the playing field between capital and labor, to protect consumers, and to establish a conservation program that was far-sighted and comprehensive, covering the nation''s natural resources, its wilderness areas, its endangered species, its scenic beauty, and the cultural artifacts of its indigenous peoples.

Distilled from Roosevelt’s voluminous writings and speeches, In the Words of Theodore Roosevelt is a discerning collection of quotations by this American icon who continues to inspire and captivate an extraordinary array of twenty-first-century Americans. Carefully selected and organized by topic by Patricia O’Toole, these quotations reflect the vast range of Roosevelt’s interests, the depth of his wisdom, his almost superhuman energy, and his directness. Many of the issues that Roosevelt addressed—from America’s international role to the environment—remain pressing concerns today, giving his century-old words remarkable currency. This singular collection of quotations—enhanced by O’Toole’s illuminating introductory essay, notes on biographical and historical context, and bibliographies of Roosevelt’s writings—is a trove for writers, teachers, students, and all who recognize Theodore Roosevelt’s unique role in U.S. history.

Sujets

• Quotations
• Lettres et linguistique
• USA
• United States of America
• Quotation
• History of the Americas
• États-Unis

Informations

• Publié par: Cornell University Press
• Date de parution: 15 octobre 2012
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9780801465970
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 5 Mo

Extrait

i n t h e wo r d s o f theodore roosevelt

i n t h e wo r d s o f theodore roosevelt

Quotations from the Man in the Arena

EDITED BY PATRICIA O’TOOLE

cornell university press ithaca and london

Frontispiece:Theodore Roosevelt in Boise City, Idaho. 1903. Prints and Photographs division. The Library of Congress.

Copyright © 2012 by Patricia O’Toole

All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in a review, this book, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission in writing from the publisher. For information, address Cornell University Press, Sage House, 512 East State Street, Ithaca, New York 14850.

First published 2012 by Cornell University Press

Printed in the United States of America

Library of Congress CataloginginPublication Data

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858–1919.  In the words of Theodore Roosevelt : quotations from the man in the arena / edited by Patricia O’Toole.  p. cm.  Includes bibliographical references and index.  ISBN 9780801449963 (cloth: alk. paper) 1. Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858–1919—Quotations. 2. Presidents—United States—Quotations. I. O’Toole, Patricia. II. Title.  E757.A3 2012  973.911092—dc23 2012007312

Cornell University Press strives to use environmentally responsible suppliers and materials to the fullest extent possible in the publishing of its books. Such materials include vegetablebased, lowVOC inks and acidfree papers that are recycled, totally chlorinefree, or partly composed of nonwood fibers. For further information, visit our website at www.cornellpress. cornell.edu.

Cloth printing

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For Matthew Parker

c o n t e n t s

Preface

xi

Introduction: While Daring Greatly

Theodore Roosevelt Chronology

The Words of Theodore Roosevelt

Action America Americans Archaeologists Army Art Authors The Big Stick Books Bullies Bull Moose Business Character Children

45 46 47 48 48 49 52 55 56 58 58 59 60 62

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39

45

Citizens Class Conflict Commonweal Community Conduct Congress Conservation Constitution Criticism Defense Democracy Determination Education Equality

62 65 68 70 72 72 72 74 76 79 80 82 84 85

Experimentation Extremism Fairness Family Life Fatherhood Foreign Policy Freedom Governing Government Great Nations Great White Fleet Historians History Human Nature Hunters Hunting Ideals Immigrants Individualism Industrial Relations Industry International  Relations Justice Kings Labor Law Lawsuits Leadership Legislation Liberty

c o n t e n t s

87 87 88 88 89 90 90 90 91 93 96 96 97 98 98 99 100 101 102 103 104

105 110 110 111 113 114 114 115 117

viii

Life Abraham Lincoln Literature Lynching The Man in  the Arena Marriage Military Monopoly Motherhood Nationalism National Parks Natural Resources Navy Panama Canal Peace Philanthropy Politicians Political Campaigns Political Parties Politics Pollution Posterity Power Prejudice Presidency Press Progressive Party Progressivism Promises Prosperity

119 120 121 121

122 122 123 123 124 125 128 129 130 131 132 134 135 138 139 139 140 140 141 142 143 147 150 151 154 154

Public Life Reactionaries Reading Reform Reformers Religion Religious Freedom The Rich Rights Roosevelt on  Roosevelt Roosevelt’s  Contemporaries  on Roosevelt Rough Riders Scholarship Science SelfDiscipline Senate Special Interests Sports Square Deal

c o n t e n t s

155 157 157 158 160 160 162 163 167

167

169 171 172 172 173 173 174 175 176

Strenuous Life Success Tolerance Torture The Trusts Veterans Vice Vice Presidency Victory Virtue Voting War Washington  Booker T. Wealth The West The White House Wildlife  Photography Wilderness Women Women’s Rights

A Note on Editorial Method

Selected Bibliography

Index

ix

207

201

203

178 179 180 181 181 181 181 183 183 184 185 185

189 190 192 193

194 195 197 198