“Courage, hard work, self-mastery, and intelligent effort are all essential to successful life.”America and the World War (1915)– Teddy Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States
Complete Sentence: In this world it is as true of
nations as of individuals that the things best worth having are rarely to be
obtained in cheap fashion. There is nothing easier than to meet in congresses
and conventions and pass resolutions in favor of virtue. There is also nothing
more futile unless those passing the resolutions are willing to make them good
by labor and endurance and active courage and self-denial. Readers of John
Hay’s poems will remember the scorn therein expressed for those who “resoloot
till the cows come home,” but do not put effort back of their words. Those who
would teach our people that service can be rendered or greatness attained in
easy, comfortable fashion, without facing risk, hardship, and difficulty, are
teaching what is false and mischievous. Courage, hard work, self-mastery,
and intelligent effort are all essential to successful life. As a rule, the slothful ease of life
is in inverse proportion to its true success. This is true of the private lives
of farmers, business men, and mechanics. It is no less true of the life of the
nation which is made up of these farmers, business men, and mechanics.
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