From Outdoor Pastimes of an American Hunter, 1905 9. “There can be nothing in the world more beautiful than the Yosemite, the groves of the giant sequoias and redwoods, the Canyon of the Colorado, the Canyon of the Yellowstone, the Three Tetons and our people should see to it that they are preserved for their children and their children’s children forever, with their majestic beauty all unmarred.” From his 1911 address to the Union League Club 8. “I don’t for a moment believe that we can turn back the wheels of progress.”

From an address to the Union League Club in Chicago in 1911 “Democracy to be successful, must mean self-knowledge, and above all, self-mastery.” From an address given in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1916 6. “Instead of speaking softly and carrying a big stick, President Wilson spoke bombastically and carried a dish rag.” “I have always been fond of the West African proverb: ‘Speak softly and carry a big stick you will go far.’” From the speech “ Conservation as a National Duty ,” given in 1908 4. One distinguishing characteristic of really civilized men is foresight we have to, as a nation, exercise foresight for this nation in the future and if we do not exercise that foresight, dark will be the future!” These questions do not relate only to the next century or to the next generation. But the time has come to inquire seriously what will happen when our forests are gone, when the coal, the iron, the oil, and the gas are exhausted, when the soils shall have been still further impoverished and washed into the streams, polluting the rivers, denuding the fields, and obstructing navigation. “We have become great in a material sense because of the lavish use of our resources, and we have just reason to be proud of our growth. From his inaugural address given in 1905 3. “Power invariably means both responsibility and danger.”

From the speech “ The Strenuous Life ,” given in 1899 2. “I wish to preach, not the doctrine of ignoble ease, but the doctrine of the strenuous life, the life of toil and effort, of labor and strife to preach that highest form of success which comes, not to the man who desires mere easy peace, but to the man who does not shrink from danger, from hardship, or from bitter toil, and who out of these wins the splendid ultimate triumph.” Read on for some of the quotes that contributed to Theodore Roosevelt's reputation as a great writer and speaker-and make sure to subscribe to Mental Floss's new podcast, History Vs., which is all about TR, here. The 26th president was known for his rousing speeches, informative books, and witty letters-most of which are still available for the public to appreciate today. He was also one of the most quotable figures in our nation’s history. Born in New York City in 1858, Theodore Roosevelt grew up to become an influential politician and conservationist.

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