“The unforgivable crime is soft hitting. Do not hit at all if it can be avoided, but NEVER hit softly.”

“Don't hit at all if it is honorably possible to avoid hitting; but never hit soft!”

“In life, as in football, the principle to follow is to hit the line hard.”

“Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.”

“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.”

“The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first and love of soft living and the get-rich-quick theory of life.”

“In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing.”