How we cite our quotes: (Sentence)
Quote #1
The liar is no whit better than the thief, and if his mendacity takes the form of slander he may be worse than most thieves. It puts a premium upon knavery untruthfully to attack an honest man, or even with hysterical exaggeration to assail a bad man with untruth. (17-18)
In this sentence, TR isn't only saying that lying and thieving are similarly bad, but they're also similar acts: to publicly slander an honest man is to steal his good name.
Quote #2
An epidemic of indiscriminate assault upon character does no good, but very great harm. The soul of every scoundrel is gladdened whenever an honest man is assailed, or even when a scoundrel is untruthfully assailed. (19-20)
In this quote, Roosevelt introduces an idea he'll build on throughout the speech: the atmosphere of lies, which he says journalists have a hand in creating.
Quote #3
Expose the crime, and hunt down the criminal; but remember that even in the case of crime, if it is attacked in sensational, lurid, and untruthful fashion, the attack may do more damage to the public mind than the crime itself. (31)
You can't fight fire with fire with liars. Then everyone's pants will be burning.
Quote #4
The first requisite in the public servants who are to deal in this shape with corporations, whether as legislators or as executives, is honesty. (73)
If honesty is the most valued trait in a private citizen, then it is definitely the most valued trait in a public servant, aka a lawyer.
Quote #5
If a public man is willing to yield to popular clamor and do wrong to the men of wealth or to rich corporations, it may be set down as certain that if the opportunity comes he will secretly and furtively do wrong to the public in the interest of a corporation. (80)
This quote doesn't seem to jibe. He's implying that a dishonest lawyer would swing one way or the other depending on what benefited him the most, but the man looking to fill his own pockets would side with the corporation 10 times out of 10 for those sweet corporate dollars. Not many lawyers looking out for themselves would become a public defendant, right?