Theodore Roosevelt Quote Reflections

Collaboration with Rowan Davis elaborating on the most powerful quotes by Theodore Roosevelt.

When asked who my favorite philosophers are, the obvious ones come to mind: Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, Socrates, Musonius Rufus, Confucius, Lao Tzu, Sun Tzu, and Miyamoto Musashi.

Ancient wisdom from the giants whose shoulders we stand on continues to inspire the present.

Modern philosophers such as Victor Frankl, James Stockdale, and Helen Keller provide recent examples of the power behind philosophical application. These incredible figures transformed extreme adversity into meaningful opportunities for self and collective improvement.

Actions, not theory, are what make the philosopher.

For this reason, the answer I often provide regarding my favorite philosopher is Theodore Roosevelt. He is a modern example of resilience. A man who refused to let any form of adversity break him. He embodied applied philosophy in his words, writing, and most importantly, actions throughout his life. Look no further than The River of Doubt by Candice Millard to learn about the kind of man he was until his final days.

Teddy Roosevelt uniquely walked the walk, talked the talk, and wrote the thought. Writing over 35 books, the man demonstrated incredible introspection and virtuous conviction.

Many of his quotes rank amongst the most powerful I’ve come across.

Rather than elaborate on them myself, as I’ve done in many of my notes, I’ve collaborated with one of my favorite writers on Substack,

Rowan Davis

. We decided to share our favorite quotes from our favorite philosophers, mine Roosevelt and his Carl Jung, and have the other provide our unique interpretations.

A philosopher in his own right, Rowan is a former paratrooper in the British Army turned traveling writer and psychotherapist in training. Rowan opened my eyes to the brilliance and philosophy of Carl Jung about a year ago. Since that time, the quotes and work of this incredible man have impacted my mindset, actions, and life.

Read here for my takes on Rowan’s favorite Carl Jung quotes.

Now, enjoy insights from Rowan on some of the best quotes from Theodore Roosevelt:

“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.”

– Theodore Roosevelt

Roosevelt was a poet.

Poetry isn’t rhyming or pontificating, but saying that which normal speech fails to communicate. Life isn’t easy. It’s not meant to be easy. But somewhere along the line, we bought that lie.

We should seek trials, less they seek us.

This isn’t to say abandon peace.

The person who faces life’s hardship gains the greatest peace: ultimate acceptance of self and reality. Jung told us: “neurosis is always a substitute for legitimate suffering.” By taking on an attitude of growth, we might struggle in the short run.

In the long marathon of life, however, we experience its sweetest fruits.

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who arrives valiantly; who errs, who comes up short again and again; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory or defeat.”

– Theodore Roosevelt

Legendary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 7th-degree black belt, Renzo Gracie, hangs this quote in his gym.

I personally regard professional criticism as a cultural disease.

If you’ve:

• Faced fear

• Taken the blows

• Handled victory and defeat with humility

what standing does anyone have to criticize you on? None.

(Definitely not if they’re not even brave enough to try it themselves).

The man (‘cough’ or woman) in the arena is the person who welcomes adversity. They don’t judge, criticize, or complain. They act. They do what needs to be done. Despite failings and anguish, self-pity holds no place in their hearts.

No matter how low life takes them – they have earned their pride.

The credit belongs to them – they have done the work.

“We must all either wear out or rust out, every one of us. My choice is to wear out.”

– Theodore Roosevelt

You’re going to die.

Apologies if that’s news. What’s worse, you’re considered “lucky” if this happens by old age. The muscles degrade, the skin loosens, and the memories fade. I’m not trying to depress you, but enlighten you:

What do you have to lose?

The societal lie goes like this:

‘Work a job you hate, to sustain a life you don’t like, to hopefully one day retire and waste away.’ No thanks. Creating a life that sustains itself might be challenging, but ultimately, it’s the only good fight there is.

If you find something that breathes purpose into your being, why not do it until the wheels fall off?

They’re coming off anyway, least you’re not dying regretful.

“Courage, honesty, and common sense are important for good citizenship.”

– Theodore Roosevelt

Courage: the act of doing despite fear.

I became a paratrooper at 18. At the end of training, the top recruit recites a speech Field Marshal Montgomory gave about The Parachute Regiment during WWII. It begins like this: “What manner of men are these, who wear the maroon beret? . . . [a few lines in] They have jumped from the air, and by doing so, have conquered fear.”

When jumping out of a plane, not feeling fear is stupidity – feeling fear and jumping anyway is courage.

Honesty takes courage.

We can all lie and hide from the truth. It might make us feel better in the short run. But in the end, whether we get caught out, or the consequences of our neglect hurt us or those we love, we’re better off biting the bullet.

Honesty is the greatest redeeming trait in a human.

Common sense is possessed by all but used by few.

Maybe that’s why the world is going to hell. Why should we be a good citizen anyway? The 21st century has been an experiment proving why. People are scared, destructive, and lashing out emotionally.

Maybe selflessness is the easiest path to a happy life.

“With self-discipline most anything is possible.”

– Theodore Roosevelt

Self-discipline isn’t the same as discipline.

(I learned this in the Army). People are “disciplined” because if they’re not, there’s hell to pay. When you’re self-disciplined, you don’t need sergeants, oaths, or paychecks to keep you on target.

You can self-direct, no matter the situation.

In other words, you can move mountains.

“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!”

– Theodore Roosevelt

If the internet’s taught me one thing, it's that if you place your value in the hands of others, you place it very low.

You can spend as much time being as well-researched and reasonable as you want, people will always find a way to categorise you into a narrative that suits their ego. With people of poor character, this is below them.

You have to fall asleep at night.

Do what you know to be right.

“I am only an average man but, by George, I work harder at it than the average man.”

– Theodore Roosevelt

I’m an idiot.

And I can prove it with science. But most of us are idiots. No one is walking flawlessly through life, we’re all making mistakes and fools of ourselves. That’s fine. In Jungian psychology, the Fool is the precursor to the Hero. Why?:

Because all successful people are failures who stuck around long enough.

If you want to win, start losing more.

“Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care.”

– Theodore Roosevelt

Remember that one insufferable pr*ck?

The one who “knew it all,” yet no one respected, and didn’t go anywhere in life? Knowledge in itself is pointless. What use is an untestable theory, an idea that never actualises, a person who knows but doesn’t act?

People don’t care how smart you are.

They care how good you are at solving problems (the true test of intelligence).

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

– Theodore Roosevelt

I’m a terrible daydreamer.

A friend once called me a visionary. More accurately, I'm delusional. I’ll focus on anything but the here and now. Unfortunately, that’s where life is. There’s no use in thinking: “I wish I had this” and “if I had that.”

You don’t.

Sometimes I wonder: “imagine if I was better at focusing?”

THE IRONY! You should do what you can, with what you have, where you are, because that’s reality. These are the cards, you are the player, the game is the game. It’s a shame our world values us on what we have.

Not what we’ve overcome (in this is where true pride is found).

“The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything.”

– Theodore Roosevelt

You deserve the truth.

What is life? Why are we here? If we were here to feel comfortable, then that’s what life would be. But in reality, life is a constant drive towards growth. This is true for trees, insects, galaxies, and humans.

Life is expanse.

Life is change.

I don’t know why, and don’t trust anyone who claims they do. All I know is this is the truth the Universe presents all of us. The road we are urged to take.

There’s something else I’m starting to realise is:

The more you flow with it, the less the currents pull you under.

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For more insights from Rowan on the world’s most powerful books, thinkers, and lessons, subscribe to his account. His posts rank amongst some of the best I’ve read on this wonderful platform.

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