
“The most honorable, as well as the safest course, is to rely entirely upon valour.”
Book XXXIV, sec. 14
History of Rome
The Great Infidels (1881)
Context: Most men are followers, and implicitly rely upon the judgment of others. They mistake solemnity for wisdom, and regard a grave countenance as the title page and Preface to a most learned volume. So they are easily imposed upon by forms, strange garments, and solemn ceremonies. And when the teaching of parents, the customs of neighbors, and the general tongue approve and justify a belief or creed, no matter how absurd, it is hard even for the strongest to hold the citadel of his soul. In each country, in defence of each religion, the same arguments would be urged.
“The most honorable, as well as the safest course, is to rely entirely upon valour.”
Book XXXIV, sec. 14
History of Rome
Source: Jesus Before Christianity: The Gospel of Liberation (1976), p. 71.
Context: The leaders and scholars of Jesus’ time had first enslaved themselves to the law. This not only enhanced their prestige in society, it also gave them a sense of security. Man fears the responsibility of being free. It is often easier to let others make the decisions or to rely upon the letter of the law. Some men want to be slaves. After enslaving themselves to the letter of the law, such men always go on to deny freedom to others. They will not rest until they have imposed the same oppressive burdens upon everyone (Matt 23:4,15).
“No nation is fit to sit in judgment upon any other nation.”
Speech in New York City (20 April 1915)
1910s
“The worst lesson that can be taught a man is to rely upon others and to whine over his sufferings.”
"How Not To Better Social Conditions" in Review of Reviews (January 1897), p. 39 https://books.google.com/books?id=J2FAAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA39 · Full text online (with at least two typos — in the last sentence of the article) as "How Not To Help Our Poor Brother" http://www.theodore-roosevelt.com/images/research/speeches/trhnthopb.pdf
1890s
Source: god is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything
"To Practice Thrift and Oppose Embezzlement (1952)
1950's