--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Our words must be judged by our deeds…" description: "\"Our words must be judged by our deeds; and in striving for a lofty ideal we must use practical methods; and if we cannot attain all at one leap, we mus..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/983/theodore-roosevelt-218_deeds_our-words-must-be-judged-by-our-deeds-an_431890.jpg" --- # Our words must be judged by our deeds; and in striving for… ![“Our words must be judged by our deeds; and in striving for a lofty ideal we must use practical methods; and if we cannot attain all at one leap, we must advance towards it step by step, reasonably content so long as we do actually make some progress in the right direction.” quote by Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/983/theodore-roosevelt-218_deeds_our-words-must-be-judged-by-our-deeds-an_431890.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/983/theodore-roosevelt-218_deeds_our-words-must-be-judged-by-our-deeds-an_431890.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/983/theodore-roosevelt-218_deeds_our-words-must-be-judged-by-our-deeds-an_431890.jpg) > “Our words must be judged by our deeds; and in striving for a lofty ideal we must use practical methods; and if we cannot attain all at one leap, we must advance towards it step by step, reasonably content so long as we do actually make some progress in the right direction.” [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Idealism must be paired with practical, incremental actions; progress is made step by step. **In simple terms:** Big goals need practical steps. Key Takeaway Take steady, realistic actions. Themes leadership progress pragmatism Mood inspirational motivational Type philosophical practical When to use this quote - policy reform - personal development - community projects - environmental action Key Concepts ethics goal setting Questions to Reflect On - How can you break a big goal into steps? - What practical methods support your ideals? A Different Perspective Idealism without action leads nowhere. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deeds/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Ideals](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ideals/) [Leap](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/leap/) [Lofty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lofty/) [Progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/progress/) [Right direction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/right-direction/) [Step By Step](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/step-by-step/) ## Related quotes > [Progress might have been all right once, but it's gone on too long.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/progress-might-have-been-all-right-once-but-it-s-gone-on-too-long/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [Progress was all right. Only it went on too long.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-thurber/progress-was-all-right-only-it-went-on-too-long/) [James Thurber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-thurber/) > [What is the thing that matters most to making progress right now?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-costolo/what-is-the-thing-that-matters-most-to-making-progress-right-now/) [Dick Costolo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-costolo/) > [“Progress might have been all right once, but it has gone on far too long.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/progress-might-have-been-all-right-once-but-it-has-gone-on-far-too/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [Toward all other nations, large and small, our attitude must be one of cordial and sincere friendship. We must show not only in our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/toward-all-other-nations-large-and-small-our-attitude-must-be-one-of/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [If you're going to worry about what people say, you're never going to make any progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murray/if-you-re-going-to-worry-about-what-people-say-you-re-never-going-to/) [Joseph Murray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murray/) > [Although you perform many works, if you do not deny your will and submit yourself, losing all solicitude about yourself and your affairs, you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/st-john-of-the-cross/although-you-perform-many-works-if-you-do-not-deny-your-will-and/) [St John Of The Cross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/st-john-of-the-cross/) > [Those who are not dissatisfied will never make any progress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shigeo-shingo/those-who-are-not-dissatisfied-will-never-make-any-progress/) [Shigeo Shingo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shigeo-shingo/) > [“If you do not chase in directly toward the place where your opponents have gathered, you will not make progress. And, if you start…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miyamoto-musashi/if-you-do-not-chase-in-directly-toward-the-place-where-your-opponents/) [Miyamoto Musashi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miyamoto-musashi/) > [We make progress in society only if we stop cursing and complaining about its shortcomings and have the courage to do something about them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elisabeth-kubler-ross/we-make-progress-in-society-only-if-we-stop-cursing-and-complaining/) [Elisabeth Kubler-Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elisabeth-kubler-ross/) > [One way to become enthusiastic is to look for the plus sign. To make progress in any difficult situation, you have to start with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-vincent-peale/one-way-to-become-enthusiastic-is-to-look-for-the-plus-sign-to-make/) [Norman Vincent Peale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-vincent-peale/) > [To make progress you must actually get started. The key is to take a step today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-rohn/to-make-progress-you-must-actually-get-started-the-key-is-to-take-a/) [Jim Rohn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-rohn/) > [When we make progress and get better at something, it is inherently motivating. In order for people to make progress, they have to get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-h-pink/when-we-make-progress-and-get-better-at-something-it-is-inherently/) [Daniel H. Pink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-h-pink/) > [“Not trying is, of course, the ultimate failure, for it means you can never make progress toward your goals.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-niven/not-trying-is-of-course-the-ultimate-failure-for-it-means-you-can/) [David Niven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-niven/) > [Do you want to make progress? If so, then take each problem not as a challenging rival, but as an encouraging friend of yours,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-chinmoy/do-you-want-to-make-progress-if-so-then-take-each-problem-not-as-a/) [Sri Chinmoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-chinmoy/) ## More by Theodore Roosevelt > [No people is wholly civilized where a distinction is drawn between stealing an office and stealing a purse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/no-people-is-wholly-civilized-where-a-distinction-is-drawn-between/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [There can be no effective control of corporations while their political activity remains.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/there-can-be-no-effective-control-of-corporations-while-their/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Get action. Seize the moment. Man was never intended to become an oyster.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/get-action-seize-the-moment-man-was-never-intended-to-become-an-oyster/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Argument weak; speak loudly!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/argument-weak-speak-loudly/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Let the watchwords of all our people be the old familiar watchwords of honesty, decency, fair-dealing, and commonsense."... "We must treat each man on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/let-the-watchwords-of-all-our-people-be-the-old-familiar-watchwords/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [The forces that tend for evil are great and terrible, but the forces of truth and love and courage and honesty and generosity and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/the-forces-that-tend-for-evil-are-great-and-terrible-but-the-forces/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Every reform movement has a lunatic fringe.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/every-reform-movement-has-a-lunatic-fringe/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Conservation and rural-life policies are really two sides of the same policy; and down at the bottom this policy rests upon the fundamental law…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/conservation-and-rural-life-policies-are-really-two-sides-of-the-same/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [It is a great mistake to think that the extremist is a better man than the moderate. Usually the difference is not that he…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/it-is-a-great-mistake-to-think-that-the-extremist-is-a-better-man/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [I am a strong individualist by personal habit, inheritance, and conviction; but it is a mere matter of common sense to recognize that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/i-am-a-strong-individualist-by-personal-habit-inheritance-and/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Alone of human beings the good and wise mother stands on a plane of equal honor with the bravest soldier; for she has gladly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/alone-of-human-beings-the-good-and-wise-mother-stands-on-a-plane-of/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [The greatest privilege and greatest duty for any man is to be happily married, and no other form of success or service, for either…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/the-greatest-privilege-and-greatest-duty-for-any-man-is-to-be-happily/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [For unflagging interest and enjoyment, a household of children, if things go reasonably well, certainly all other forms of success and achievement lose their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/for-unflagging-interest-and-enjoyment-a-household-of-children-if/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [There can be no effective control of corporations while their political activity remains. To put an end to it will be neither a short…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/there-can-be-no-effective-control-of-corporations-while-their-2/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [If elected, I shall see to it that every man has a square deal, no less and no more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/if-elected-i-shall-see-to-it-that-every-man-has-a-square-deal-no-less/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) [Explore all 876 Theodore Roosevelt quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) ## More Deeds quotes > [If ever I did a man any goodof course it was something exceptional and insignificant compared with the good or evil which I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/if-ever-i-did-a-man-any-goodof-course-it-was-something-exceptional/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [When Allah puts barakah (His blessings) in something, it will come beyond your expectations- never underestimate the power of one good deed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nouman-ali-khan/when-allah-puts-barakah-his-blessings-in-something-it-will-come/) [Nouman Ali Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nouman-ali-khan/) > [Time often serves to justify a deed which seems at first unjustifiable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-p-ryan/time-often-serves-to-justify-a-deed-which-seems-at-first-unjustifiable/) Donald P. Ryan > [When deeds speak, words are nothing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-joseph-proudhon/when-deeds-speak-words-are-nothing/) [Pierre-Joseph Proudhon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-joseph-proudhon/) > [Somehow, what's in our hearts, good or bad is eventually translated into words and deeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-stanley/somehow-what-s-in-our-hearts-good-or-bad-is-eventually-translated/) [Andy Stanley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-stanley/) > [Honest people don't hide their deeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emily-bronte/honest-people-don-t-hide-their-deeds/) [Emily Bronte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emily-bronte/) > [Mechanical instruments, potentially a vehicle of rational human purposes, are scarcely a blessing when they enable the gossip of the village idiot and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/mechanical-instruments-potentially-a-vehicle-of-rational-human/) [Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/) > [Tis e'er the wont of simple folk to prize the deed and o'erlook the motive, and of learned folk to discount the deed and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-barth/tis-e-er-the-wont-of-simple-folk-to-prize-the-deed-and-o-erlook-the/) [John Barth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-barth/) > [How oft the sight of means to do ill deeds makes ill deeds done!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/how-oft-the-sight-of-means-to-do-ill-deeds-makes-ill-deeds-done/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [A nation of character is filled with citizens who gradually build lives based on the living awareness that their deeds are judged by eyes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-keyes/a-nation-of-character-is-filled-with-citizens-who-gradually-build/) [Alan Keyes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-keyes/) > [Time, which wears down and diminishes all things, augments and increases good deeds, because a good turn liberally offered to a reasonable man grows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-rabelais/time-which-wears-down-and-diminishes-all-things-augments-and/) [Francois Rabelais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-rabelais/) > [Alas, you don't need monsters for monstrous deeds to be accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zygmunt-bauman/alas-you-don-t-need-monsters-for-monstrous-deeds-to-be-accomplished/) [Zygmunt Bauman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zygmunt-bauman/) > [I rejoice that the reign of Christ is such, while it thrills the soul with emotions, and opens before the highest intellect the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-simpson/i-rejoice-that-the-reign-of-christ-is-such-while-it-thrills-the-soul/) [Matthew Simpson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-simpson/) > [The final estimate of men shows that history cares not an iota for the rank or title a man has borne, or the office…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-oswald-sanders/the-final-estimate-of-men-shows-that-history-cares-not-an-iota-for/) [J. Oswald Sanders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-oswald-sanders/) > [The World's a Printing-House, our words, our thoughts, Our deeds, are characters of several sizes. Each soul is a Compos'tor, of whose faults The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francis-quarles/the-world-s-a-printing-house-our-words-our-thoughts-our-deeds-are/) [Francis Quarles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francis-quarles/) [Browse all 2,029 Deeds quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deeds/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Our words must be judged by our deeds; and in striving for a lofty ideal we must use practical methods; and if we cannot attain all at one leap, we must advance towards it step by step, reasonably content so long as we do actually make some progress in the right direction.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Theodore Roosevelt" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/our-words-must-be-judged-by-our-deeds-and-in-striving-for-a-lofty/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Deeds" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/our-words-must-be-judged-by-our-deeds-and-in-striving-for-a-lofty/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/983/theodore-roosevelt-218_deeds_our-words-must-be-judged-by-our-deeds-an_431890.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/983/theodore-roosevelt-218_deeds_our-words-must-be-judged-by-our-deeds-an_431890.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/983/theodore-roosevelt-218_deeds_our-words-must-be-judged-by-our-deeds-an_431890.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Our words must be judged by our deeds; and in striving for a lofty ideal we must use practical methods; and…” — Theodore Roosevelt", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Theodore Roosevelt", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Our words must be judged by...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/our-words-must-be-judged-by-our-deeds-and-in-striving-for-a-lofty/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/our-words-must-be-judged-by-our-deeds-and-in-striving-for-a-lofty/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```