Americanism is a question of principle, of idealism, of character. It is not a matter of birthplace, or creed, or line of descent.
Theodore RooseveltRead
Get action. Seize the moment. Man was never intended to become an oyster.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Take initiative and make the most of opportunities as they arise.
This quote by Theodore Roosevelt encourages individuals to take decisive action and not to become complacent. The metaphor of an oyster suggests that people should not allow themselves to become passive or stuck in place; instead, they should actively pursue their goals and make the most of each moment they have.
Themes
ActionMomentOpportunityInitiativeDecisiveness
In practice
Example use cases
In a motivational seminar to inspire people to chase their dreams.
More from Theodore Roosevelt
All quotes βIt tires me to talk to rich men. You expect a man of millions, the head of a great industry, to be a man worthhearing; but as a rule they don't know anything outside their own business.
Theodore RooseveltRead
No man should receive a dollar unless that dollar has been fairly earned.
Theodore RooseveltRead
Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.
Theodore RooseveltRead
Conservation means development as much as it does protection._x000D_ _x000D_ A man's usefulness depends upon his living up to his ideals insofar as he can.
Theodore RooseveltRead
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 strives valiantly; . . . who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.
Theodore RooseveltRead
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