Theodore Roosevelt

US President, progressive era

Modern influential 133 sayings

Sayings by Theodore Roosevelt

I don't go so far as to think that the only good Indians are dead Indians, but I believe nine out of every ten are.

1886 — Speech in Dakota Territory
Controversial Unverifiable

The Negro is a perfectly stupid race.

1906 — Private letter
Controversial Unverifiable

The Filipinos are utterly unfit for self-government.

1902 — Speech justifying U.S. occupation of the Philippines
Controversial Unverifiable

The Chinese are an immoral, degraded, and worthless race.

1895 — Private letter
Controversial Unverifiable

The Jews are a race with many excellent qualities, but they are also a race that produces an exceedingly undesirable citizen.

1891 — Private letter
Controversial Unverifiable

The average Negro is not equal to the average white man.

1906 — Private letter
Controversial Unverifiable

The Filipinos are a barbarous people.

1902 — Speech justifying U.S. occupation of the Philippines
Controversial Unverifiable

The Negro is not yet capable of self-government.

1906 — Private letter
Controversial Unverifiable

The Chinese are a menace to civilization.

1895 — Private letter
Controversial Unverifiable

The Jews are a race that produces an exceedingly undesirable citizen.

1891 — Private letter
Controversial Unverifiable

I am an American; free born and free bred, where I acknowledge no man as my superior, except for his own worth, or as my inferior, except for his own demerit.

1899 — Speech in Chicago
Humorous Unverifiable

I have been a good deal of a pioneer in my life, and I have found that the only way to get on is to be a little bit ahead of the times.

1908 — Letter to George Otto Trevelyan
Humorous Unverifiable

There were all kinds of things I was afraid of at first, ranging from grizzly bears to 'mean' horses and gun-fighters; but by acting as if I was not afraid I gradually ceased to be afraid.

1913 — Autobiography
Humorous Unverifiable

When you are in a fight, fight as if you are the only one who can win.

Unknown — Attributed, common saying
Humorous Unverifiable

I utterly enjoy myself. I like to be in the thick of the fight.

1898 — Letter to Cecil Spring Rice
Humorous Unverifiable

I have always been fond of the West and its people, and I have always felt that the true American spirit was to be found there.

1910 — Speech in Fargo, North Dakota
Humorous Unverifiable

I have always been a believer in the doctrine that the best way to make a man behave is to treat him as if he were a gentleman.

1907 — Letter to William Howard Taft
Humorous Unverifiable

I am not a man of peace; I am a man of war.

Unknown — Attributed, common saying
Humorous Unverifiable

I have never been afraid of a man, but I have been afraid of a woman.

Unknown — Attributed, common saying
Humorous Unverifiable

I believe in a square deal for every man, big or small, rich or poor.

1903 — Speech at the New York State Fair
Humorous Unverifiable