Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.
Theodore Roosevelt
- Life
- 1858-1919
- Occupations
- explorer, historian, essayist
- Notable works
- African game trails : an account of the African wanderings of an American hunter-naturalist, Hunting trips of a ranchman, sketches of sport on the northern cattle plains;, The wilderness hunter; an account of the big game of the United States and its chase with horse, hound, and rifle;
Facts: Wikidata (CC0), as of 2026-07-09
Roosevelt's 'Man in the Arena' passage -- from a 1910 Sorbonne speech titled 'Citizenship in a Republic' -- may be the most-quoted paragraph of American oratory. He was genuinely aphoristic ('Do what you can, with what you have, where you are'), a habit built on reading roughly a book a day and writing some 150,000 letters.
I generally have people in to lunch, but at dinner, thank fortune, we are usually alone.
Theodore Roosevelt
In all his sickness Archie remembered that to-day was Mademoiselle’s birthday, and sent her his love and congratulations—which promptly reduced good Mademoiselle to tears.
Theodore Roosevelt
In any event, even if I am beaten you must remember that we have had three years of great enjoyment out of the Presidency and that we are mighty lucky to have had them.
Theodore Roosevelt
It is delightful at all times, but I think especially so after dark. The monument stands up distinct but not quite earthly in the night, and at this season the air is sweet with the jasmine and honeysuckle.
Theodore Roosevelt
Much has been given us, and much will rightfully be expected from us. We have duties to others and duties to ourselves; and we can shirk neither.
Theodore Roosevelt
The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything.
Theodore Roosevelt
There has never yet been a man in our history who led a life of ease whose name is worth remembering.
Theodore Roosevelt
The timid man, the lazy man, the man who distrusts his country, the over-civilized man, who has lost the great fighting, masterful virtues, the ignorant man, and the man of dull mind, whose soul is incapable of feeling the mighty lift that thrills “stern men with empires in their brains”
Theodore Roosevelt
Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.
Theodore Roosevelt
The poorest way to face life is to face it with a sneer.
Theodore Roosevelt
It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed.
Theodore Roosevelt
Believe you can and you're halfway there.
Theodore Roosevelt
Comparison is the thief of joy.
Theodore Roosevelt