We are not building this country of ours for a day. It is to last through the ages. - Theodore Roosevelt

It is far better to dare mighty triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to dwell with those poor and timid souls knowing neither victory nor defeat.

Now, there are in our civic and social life very much worse creatures than snobs, but none more contemptible. [...] If you have any stuff in you at all, and try to amount to anything in after life, you will not remain snobs even if you start as such. It will be taken out of you very soon and very roughly if you go into any real work. Go into politics, go to your district convention, and try to carry it on the snob basis and see how far you will get. The thing that will strike you in just about a week is that there are a whole lot of able people sliding around this planet. The fact that the individual opposed to you does not wear a cravat, and does wear a saw-edge collar, does not imply that you are going to carry the convention against him!

Friends, our tasks as Americans is to strive for social and industrial justice, achieved through the genuine rule of the people...

In order to succeed, we need leaders of inspired idealism, leaders to whom are granted great visions, dream greatly and strive to make their dreams come true; who can kindle the people with the fire from their own burning souls. The leader for the time being, whoever he may be, is but an instrument, to be used until broken and then to be cast aside: and if he is worth his salt he will care no more when he is broken than a soldier cares when he is sent where his life is forefit in order that the victory be won.

In the long fight for righteousness the watchword for all us is spend and be spent. It is of little matter whether any one man fails or succeeds; but the cause should not fail.”, for it is the cause of all mankind.