8 Theodore Roosevelt Quotes on Integrity

Theodore Roosevelt quotes on integrity

35. No man is justified in doing evil on the grounds of expediency.

40. Right here let me make as vigorous a plea as I know how in favor of saying nothing that we do not mean, and of acting without hesitation up to whatever we say. A good many of you are probably acquainted with the old proverb, '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. In private life there are few beings more obnoxious than the man who is always loudly boasting, and if the boaster is not prepared to back up his words, his position becomes absolutely contemptible. So it is with the nation. It is both foolish and undignified to indulge in undue self-glorification, and, above all, in loose-tongued denunciation of other peoples. Whenever on any point we come in contact with a foreign power, I hope that we shall always strive to speak courteously and respectfully of that foreign power.

47. Moreover, and above all, let us remember that words count only when they give expression to deeds, or are to be translated into them. The leaders of the Red Terror prattled of peace while they steeped their hands in the blood of the innocent; and many a tyrant has called it peace when he has scourged honest protest into silence. Our words must be judged by our deeds; and in striving for a lofty ideal we must use practical methods; and if we cannot attain all at one leap, we must advance towards it step by step, reasonably content so long as we do actually make some progress in the right direction.

54. Friends, I will disown and repudiate any man of my party who attacks with such foul slander and abuse any opponent of any other party.

79. I care not what others think of what I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do! That is character!

81. I have a perfect horror of words that are not backed up by deeds.

110. Some men can live up to their loftiest ideals without ever going higher than a basement.

121. The one thing I want to leave my children is an honorable name.