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About this quote

What does it mean?
Some people claim high ideals but never take action to achieve them.
In plain terms
Talking about big goals means little if you do nothing.
What can you take from it?
Turn ideals into actions.

Where it applies

  • leadership
  • workplace
  • personal growth

Putting it to work

  • act on goals
  • avoid empty talk

Questions to consider

  • Do you act on your ideals?
  • Is talk always cheap?

Another view

Some ideas are meant to inspire without immediate action.

More from Theodore Roosevelt

  1. Rhetoric is a poor substitute for action, and we have trusted only to rhetoric. If we are really to be a great nation, we must not merely talk; we must act big.

    Permalink to quote #109
  2. The American people abhor a vacuum.

    Permalink to quote #111
  3. Pray not for lighter burdens but for stronger backs.

    Permalink to quote #108

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