Lessons in Manliness: The Childhood of Theodore Roosevelt
February 4, 2008
Theodore Roosevelt was not only one of our greatest presidents, he was also one of the greatest American men who ever lived. He embodied all the manly virtues and lived life with vigor and enthusiasm. In everything he did, he not only talked the talk, but walked the walk.
This is the first in a series of posts that will highlight the exemplary manliness of TR. We shall begin with his childhood.
The Childhood of Theodore Roosevelt
Teddy’s life began rather inauspiciously. He was a sickly child, asthmatic (a condition that at the time was sometimes fatal), near-sighted, and home-schooled. His father, who desired a rugged son, was completely disappointed in him. He would not let Teddy languish in his frailties. One day he took Teddy aside and said:
“Theodore you have the mind but you have not the body, and without the help of the body the mind cannot go as far as it should. I am giving you the tools, but it is up to you to make your body.”
Teddy did not hesitate before responding:
“I will make my body!”
From this moment on, Roosevelt become a tireless champion of what he called the “strenuous life.” His goal was to live each day with vigor and conviction. He put fearlessness as a constant goal before him.
Teddy immediately went to work. He and his father built a gym in the house where he would box and lift weights. He found hiking particularly vitalizing and would climb mountains in all sorts of weather.
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| Before=Sissy | After=Bad Ass |
He became a strapping and hearty young man, taking up competitive boxing and rowing as a student at Harvard. Even so, after he graduated his doctor advised him that due to serious heart problems, he should find a desk job and avoid strenuous activity. Roosevelt decided to climb the Matterhorn instead. Because Roosevelt had thrown off his sickliness through willpower and discipline, for the rest of his life he had no sympathy for pansies. Of his sons he said:
I would rather have one of them die then to have them grow up weaklings.
As we shall see, TR brought this uncompromising zeal into everything he did.
Lessons From TR
1. Set goals to overcome weaknesses. Don’t let your weaknesses hold you back from success. Sit down today and make a list of the weaknesses that you have. It could be procrastination, a bad habit, or shyness. Make it a goal to overcome that weakness and set out an attack plan to overcome it. If shyness is your weakness, make it a goal to introduce yourself to 3 strangers everyday. After a month of doing this, your weakness will have become a strength.
2. Work hard. TR showed us that setting goals isn’t enough to overcome your weaknesses. You must work at. Work hard daily on conquering your weakness. Focus all your energy on improving yourself daily.
Those are some badass chops he’s got there.
@ Bob- badass indeed.
I think we need more dads to push boys into men like his did. Good write up.
@ Keith- I agree with you 100%. We coddle boys too much today. Boys would be better off with a little parental prodding.
Teddy Roosevelt was probably my favorite president. How could you not respect a man who embodied so many great leadership qualities? Sadly, I don’t see many of these attributes in too many of this year’s candidates.
After visiting http://www.whatcausespanicattacks.com, I have learnt so much more about overcoming shyness, and exercises to improve my social skills. It has definitely made a difference to my social life; you should check it out too!
Asthma in the XIXth century was never fatal, on the authority of Sir William Osler, who would not have missed it. Asthma became rarely fatal in the second half of the XXth century, and why that is, has been the subject of considerable controversy. This is not vital to your underlying point, which is that Teddy Roosevelt was a weak and sickly child who strengthened and toughened himself by the exercise of his will.
@panic:
Thanks for the tip panic!
you need more info!
Want to see how tough TR really was - read this book:
http://www.amazon.com/River-Doubt-Theodore-Roosevelts-Darkest/dp/0767913736/
A great story about a great man.
@amcolorado:
Thanks for the suggestion. I’ll have to check that out. I’ve read Theodore Rex and Young Theodore Roosevelt. Bother were very good.
Sissy, pansies.
so it comes back to be a real man has to insult homosexual?
now that’s a real good idea.
Good morning! My name is Liz and I’m with Turner Publishing. I was wondering if you’d like to help us with one our books, “The Historic Photos of Theodore Roosevelt.” We’d love to send you a complimentary copy for a review and judging by this page, thought you would be perfect for it. If you are interested, please email me back at the one listed and I hope to hear from you! You can also visit our website at http://www.turnerpublishing.com. And just so you know I’m a real person and not some spambot, I’ve listed my blogsite as well for you! (you don’t have to read it, I just wanted to reassure you!)
Have a fantastic day!
Liz
@anon,
yes; that’s exactly what we have to do. They insult the name of manhood.
If TR were still around he would no doubt be training at Gym Jones. If anyone is interested in “building the body” check out this site: gymjones.com. “Talent doesn’t exist. . . Talent doesn’t get results practice and devotion do” Scott Semple.
TR was a self-made badass.
He once gave a speech after an assassination attempt, with the bullet still in him. Brass bal*s.
God, I’d vote for him in a heartbeat if he ran today. Could you IMAGINE how he’d SHRED today’s dungheap journalists with their ‘gotch’a’ methodology?
I can see him now challenging one of them to 3 rounds in a boxing ring if the smartass asked some silly-ass question, or maybe just walk into the clown’s office and punch him out. If you wanted a DEBATE with TR, whoa you’d get a debate.
No opinion polls for this man, ask a question, get an answer.
yeah…