Quotes from Theodore Roosevelt: Lessons in Courage to Overcome Challenges

The Quotes by Theodore Roosevelt remain as beacons of wisdom for those seeking inspiration these days.

Born on October 27, 1858, in New York City and died on January 6, 1919, Roosevelt was an iconic figure of the American Progressive Era.

The 26th president of the United States was not only an influential politician, but also a naturalist, historian, explorer, and writer who left a legacy of determination and bravery that transcends generations.

His words, marked by a deep sense of responsibility and action, continue to resonate in a world that often prefers comfort over effort.

Theodore Roosevelt viveu intensamente cada momento de sua vida. Superou uma infância marcada por problemas de saúde para se tornar um símbolo de vitalidade e força.

Em uma época de grandes transformações sociais e políticas, ele emergiu como uma voz de progresso e conservação, demonstrando que o verdadeiro valor de uma pessoa está na coragem de enfrentar desafios, não importa quão intimidadores eles pareçam.

60 Inspirational Quotes from Theodore Roosevelt

The following quotes were taken from various speeches, letters, autobiographies, and works published by Roosevelt between 1880 and 1919.

Many of them can be found in his most famous works, such as “The Fiery Life” (1900), “A Life of Labor” (1913), and in his presidential speeches.

Numbering	Sentence	Context/Source
1	“It is better to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though failing, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.”	Speech “The Man in the Arena,” 1910
2	“Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.”	Roosevelt's favorite expression, quoted in his autobiography
3	“Believe you can, and you're halfway there.”	Letter to his son Kermit, 1904
4	“Nothing in the world is worth having or doing unless it involves effort, pain, and difficulty.”	“Intense Life,” 1900
5	“Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground.”	Speech in Minnesota, 1903
6	“O sucesso, especialmente o grande sucesso, só vem através de conhecer e aplicar os princípios fundamentais que produzem sucesso em todos os campos.”	“A Hard Life,” 1913
7	“The more you know about the past, the better prepared you will be for the future.”	Speech at the University of Chicago, 1911
8	“Comparison is the thief of joy.”	Attributed to Roosevelt in personal correspondence
9	“There is no easy victory, but every victory is worth the price paid for it.”	“The Man of Action,” essay published in 1900
10	“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”	Often quoted in his campaign speeches
11	“Courage is not having the strength to go forward; it is going forward when you have no strength.”	Speech in Chicago, 1912
12	“O maior prêmio que a vida oferece é a chance de trabalhar duro em um trabalho que vale a pena.”	Speech on Labor Day, 1903
13	“No man is justified in doing what he thinks is wrong.”	From his book “Theodore Roosevelt: An Autobiography,” 1913
14	“A man who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”	Attributed to Roosevelt during his presidency
15	“Civilization has been created by men and women who gave more than they received.”	“The New Nationalism,” speech from 1910
16	“To educate a person in intellect and not in values is to create a threat to society.”	From a speech on education, 1907
17	“Nothing worth having comes free in this world; not the good life, not the good wife, not the good work.”	“American Progress,” speech from 1899
18	“When you reach the end of the rope, tie a knot and hold on tight.”	Advice given to a young politician in 1908
19	“The most important things are not what we say or think, but what we do.”	Personal correspondence, 1900
20	“Don't worry about what others are thinking when they are too busy worrying about themselves.”	“Intense Life,” 1900
21	“The only person who never makes mistakes is the person who never does anything.”	Speech at the Economic Club of New York, 1912
22	“It's hard to fail, but it's worse never to have tried to succeed.”	“Intense Life,” 1900
23	“The best executive is one who has enough sense to choose good men to do what he wants done, and enough self-control not to interfere while they do it.”	Autobiography, 1913
24	“No man should receive a dollar unless that dollar was fairly earned.”	Speech “The New Nationalism,” 1910
25	“There are no shortcuts to places worth going.”	Letter to his son Ted, 1902
26	“A fool with an idea can go further than a hundred wise men without one.”	Attributed to Roosevelt during his political career
27	“If you could kick the person responsible for most of your problems, you wouldn't be able to sit down for a week.”	Advice to a young politician, 1908
28	“People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care.”	Presidential campaign speech, 1904
29	“Never miss the target by aiming too high; rather, err on the side of aiming above your ability than below it.”	“Intense Life,” 1900
30	“The best of all laws is not to resort to the law, but to be a law unto oneself.”	Speech at Harvard, 1905
31	“The great movements of this world are achieved by pushing upwards, up the mountain, not sliding down the mountain.”	“The Man of Action,” essay from 1900
32	“The most fitting reward life offers is the opportunity to work hard at something worthwhile.”	Speech at the University of Berkeley, 1911
33	“Temperado com estudo e reflexão, o trabalho árduo não tem perigos.”	“A Hard Life,” 1913
34	“Nine-tenths of wisdom is being wise at the right time.”	Letter to Henry Cabot Lodge, 1899
35	“Don't be afraid to make mistakes. But make sure you don't make the same mistake twice.”	Advice to his son Archie, 1909
36	“Here is your country. Do your best for it, and the best will come to you.”	Speech in Minnesota, 1903
37	“The most dangerous beasts are the small ones that seem harmless.”	From his hunting memoirs, “Hunts of a Rancher,” 1888
38	“É apenas através do trabalho e do esforço doloroso, por energia gritante e resolução inabalável, que nos movemos para alturas melhores.”	“The Man in the Arena,” 1910
39	“Nothing in this world is worth having or doing unless it involves effort, pain, and difficulty.”	“Intense Life,” 1900
40	“Don’t knock the other man down, but don’t let him knock you down.”	Advice to young politicians, 1905
41	“True reform does not come through denouncing the wicked, but through making the good so strong that the wicked will be powerless to harm them.”	“The Ethics of American Politics,” 1902
42	“The first requirement of a good citizen in our Republic is that he be capable and willing to fight for himself; he should not be overly protected.”	Speech “The Man in the Arena,” 1910
43	“If I have to choose between peace and justice, I choose justice.”	Diplomatic correspondence, 1915
44	“Never ask anyone to do something you wouldn't do yourself.”	Advice to his staff in the presidency, 1904
45	“Every man should effectively and actively do his part in the work of the world.”	“A Hard Life,” 1913
46	“The only men you should associate with are those who are better than you in some way.”	Advice to his children, compiled in family letters
47	“An infallible test of a good citizen is their respect for the law.”	Inaugural address as governor of New York, 1899
48	“O crescimento vem através da luta, através do esforço, através do sofrimento.”	“Intense Life,” 1900
49	“Democracy is a perpetual ongoing experiment.”	Speech at Oxford, 1910
50	“Be friendly, be polite, have a positive attitude, expect only the best from people. Act this way and they will respect you and reciprocate in kind.”	“Intense Life,” 1900
51	“It is far better to risk great things, to win glorious triumphs, even though marked by failure, than to take ranks with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much.”	“The Man in the Arena,” 1910
52	“Wild nature is the preservation of the world.”	From his Yosemite conservation speech, 1903
53	“Don’t become so broad in your sympathy that you become shallow in your convictions.”	Letter to a political friend, 1908
54	“A wise man is one who knows what he does not know.”	Speech at Harvard University, 1905
55	“Goodwill counts for much more than intelligence. Intelligence without goodwill is worthless.”	“The Ethics of American Politics,” 1902
56	“No man is above the law, and no man is below it.”	Discurso do Estado da União, 1903
57	“The great goal of education is not knowledge, but action.”	Speech on educational reform, 1907
58	“Nothing in life that is worth having comes easily.”	Letter to his son Kermit, 1905
59	“Moral courage is a rarer asset than bravery in battle or great intelligence.”	“The Man in the Arena,” 1910
60	“I believe that the greatest good we can do in life is to be useful to others.”	“A Hard Life,” 1913

“A vida é um grande desafio, e eu acredito que devemos encará-lo com a mesma tenacidade com que encararíamos qualquer adversário em um campo de batalha.

It is not the critic who counts; it is not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better.

Credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena…” – Theodore Roosevelt, from the speech “The Man in the Arena,” 1910

Conclusion

The phrases from Theodore Roosevelt não são apenas palavras – são convites para uma vida de propósito e coragem.

In an age of comfort and convenience, your messages remind us that true growth comes through overcoming challenges.

Roosevelt didn't just talk about courage and determination; he lived these values, turning obstacles into opportunities and weaknesses into strengths.

Seus pensamentos sobre trabalho árduo, integridade e responsabilidade pessoal permanecem tão relevantes hoje quanto eram há mais de um século.

In a world that often seeks the easiest path, Roosevelt challenges us to choose the path that makes us better, even when it is the most difficult.

If you feel inspired by Theodore Roosevelt's words and wish to continue your journey of personal growth and motivation, I invite you to visit our blog Messages that Inspire to discover more inspiring content that can transform your perspective and enrich your life.

To learn more about Theodore Roosevelt's extraordinary life and legacy, you can consult his biography on Wikipedia in Portuguese, where you will find detailed information about his achievements as president, conservationist, and advocate for social progress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question	Answer
What was Theodore Roosevelt's greatest contribution to the United States?	Theodore Roosevelt modernized the American presidency, expanded the role of the U.S. on the world stage, and established an impressive legacy of environmental conservation, creating five national parks and protecting more than 230 million acres of public land.
Did Theodore Roosevelt participate in any wars?	Yes, Roosevelt led the “Rough Riders” during the Spanish-American War in 1898, notably participating in the Battle of San Juan Hill. His courage in combat significantly increased his political popularity.
Why is Roosevelt considered a “conservationist president”?	Roosevelt pioneered American environmental conservation, creating the U.S. Forest Service, establishing 150 national forests, 5 national parks, and 18 national monuments, thereby protecting vast areas of wilderness for future generations.
What does the motto “Speak softly and carry a big stick” mean?	This expression, a favorite of Roosevelt's, reflects his diplomatic philosophy: be polite and respectful in diplomatic negotiations (speak softly), but maintain a powerful military force (carry a big stick) to back up foreign policy.
What health problems did Roosevelt face as a child?	As a child, Roosevelt suffered from severe asthma, digestive problems, and was considered physically frail. It was precisely to overcome these limitations that he developed his philosophy of “vigorous living” and devoted himself intensely to physical activity.
What was the “Portsmouth Agreement” brokered by Roosevelt?	The Treaty of Portsmouth (1905) was a peace treaty that ended the Russo-Japanese War, negotiated by Roosevelt. This diplomatic achievement earned him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906, making him the first American to receive this honor.
How did Roosevelt become president of the United States?	Roosevelt became president after the assassination of President William McKinley in September 1901. As vice president, he assumed the presidency at the age of 42, becoming the youngest president in American history at that time.
What is the “Roosevelt Corollary” to the Monroe Doctrine?	The Roosevelt Corollary (1904) was an extension of the Monroe Doctrine, which established that the US could intervene as an “international police force” in the affairs of Latin American countries to ensure stability in the Western Hemisphere and protect American interests.