Franklin D. Roosevelt Quotes

Powerful Franklin D. Roosevelt for Daily Growth

About Franklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), born on January 30, 1882, in Hyde Park, New York, was one of the most influential American politicians of the 20th century. As the only U.S. President to serve more than two terms (1933-1945), he led the nation through the Great Depression and steered the country into World War II. Roosevelt's political roots trace back to his wealthy and politically connected family, which provided him ample opportunities for social connections and career advancement. In 1905, he married Eleanor Roosevelt, a union that produced six children and contributed significantly to FDR's personal growth and political development. FDR's political career began in earnest when he was elected as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy under President Woodrow Wilson in 1913. His tenure saw significant expansion of the U.S. Navy, a role that laid the groundwork for his later policies. Roosevelt's most significant impact came during his presidency, where he implemented a series of programs and policies collectively known as the New Deal. These measures aimed at combating the Great Depression by focusing on relief, recovery, and reform. Key initiatives included the creation of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the Social Security Administration, and the Works Progress Administration (WPA). In foreign affairs, FDR is remembered for his diplomacy during World War II, leading the Allies against the Axis Powers through a series of conferences with allies, culminating in the Atlantic Charter and the United Nations. FDR's life was marked by resilience; he survived polio at age 39, using his disability as an opportunity to advocate for the disabled community. His inspiring quotes reflect his steadfast determination, including "We have nothing to fear but fear itself" and "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Roosevelt passed away in April 1945, before the end of World War II. Despite his premature death, his legacy continues to shape American politics and society today.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

Franklin D. Roosevelt's quote, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself," emphasizes the destructive power of fear and encourages people to overcome it. He suggests that fear can be paralyzing and debilitating if left unchecked, and it is often more damaging than the challenges we face. By acknowledging this truth, individuals can find the courage to confront difficulties head-on, foster resilience, and pursue their goals with determination.


"We have nothing to fear but fear itself."

This quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt, spoken during his inaugural address in 1933, is a call for courage and resilience in the face of adversity. The phrase "We have nothing to fear but fear itself" suggests that the greatest obstacle or danger lies not in external events or circumstances, but rather in the fear of those events. The message encourages people to face challenges head-on without being paralyzed by fear, as it is the fear itself which can be debilitating and prevent progress. By overcoming fear, we can confront difficulties with confidence, determination, and perseverance.


"A day which we have personally spoiled is a day lost for good."

This quote emphasizes the importance of making each day count, as wasted or poorly spent days cannot be reclaimed. It underscores that our personal actions and choices play a significant role in determining the quality and value of our daily experiences. Hence, it's crucial to strive for productivity, positivity, and growth every day to ensure we are making meaningful progress rather than dwelling on lost opportunities or mistakes.


"Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort."

This quote emphasizes that true happiness comes from two sources: the satisfaction derived from accomplishing something meaningful (joy of achievement) and the excitement experienced during the process of creating or solving problems (thrill of creative effort). In other words, it suggests that a fulfilling life is one in which we are consistently striving towards and achieving our goals while also relishing the journey along the way.


"In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved."

This quote emphasizes that genuine freedom is not a gift to be received, but rather a goal to be attained. It suggests that achieving freedom requires effort, determination, and persistence – an ongoing process rather than a one-time event. Freedom in this context might refer to individual liberty, political rights, or personal fulfillment, implying that these values are not simply handed over, but must be fought for, pursued, and maintained by the people who value them most.


Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Education, Prepared, Express, Unless

Not only our future economic soundness but the very soundness of our democratic institutions depends on the determination of our government to give employment to idle men.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Give, Depends, Very, Institutions

Nobody will ever deprive the American people of the right to vote except the American people themselves and the only way they could do this is by not voting.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Voting, Will, Could, Themselves

We continue to recognize the greater ability of some to earn more than others. But we do assert that the ambition of the individual to obtain for him a proper security is an ambition to be preferred to the appetite for great wealth and great power.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Wealth, Some, Obtain, Great Power

A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned how to walk forward.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Politics, However, Perfectly, Legs

Our national determination to keep free of foreign wars and foreign entanglements cannot prevent us from feeling deep concern when ideals and principles that we have cherished are challenged.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Deep, Ideals, Cherished, Foreign

It is the duty of the President to propose and it is the privilege of the Congress to dispose.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Duty, Congress, Dispose, Propose

We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Hope, Better, Always, Better Life

No government can help the destinies of people who insist in putting sectional and class consciousness ahead of general weal.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Consciousness, Putting, Insist

Favor comes because for a brief moment in the great space of human change and progress some general human purpose finds in him a satisfactory embodiment.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Purpose, Some, Brief, Embodiment

There is a mysterious cycle in human events. To some generations much is given. Of other generations much is expected. This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Generation, Some, Given, Events

The point in history at which we stand is full of promise and danger. The world will either move forward toward unity and widely shared prosperity - or it will move apart.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Move, Which, Shared, Move Forward

It isn't sufficient just to want - you've got to ask yourself what you are going to do to get the things you want.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Want, Going, Get, Sufficient

More than an end to war, we want an end to the beginning of all wars - yes, an end to this brutal, inhuman and thoroughly impractical method of settling the differences between governments.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Brutal, Thoroughly, Method, Inhuman

Be sincere; be brief; be seated.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Brief, Sincere, Seated

Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Cruel, Nation, Fiber, Stamina

A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Strength, Nation, Air, Our People

Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us. The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Government, Country, Over, President

Self-interest is the enemy of all true affection.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Enemy, True, Self-Interest, Affection

No group and no government can properly prescribe precisely what should constitute the body of knowledge with which true education is concerned.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Education, Concerned, Which, Prescribe

I think we consider too much the good luck of the early bird and not enough the bad luck of the early worm.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Chance, Think, I Think, Early

Prosperous farmers mean more employment, more prosperity for the workers and the business men of every industrial area in the whole country.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Business, Country, Area, Employment

Yesterday, December seventh, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. We will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

War, Date, United, Empire

Art is not a treasure in the past or an importation from another land, but part of the present life of all living and creating peoples.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Art, Living, In The Past, Present Life

True individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Freedom, Individual, Which, Dictatorships

I am neither bitter nor cynical but I do wish there was less immaturity in political thinking.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Political, Less, Immaturity, Cynical

Confidence... thrives on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations, on faithful protection and on unselfish performance. Without them it cannot live.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Confidence, Honor, Unselfish

Remember you are just an extra in everyone else's play.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Remember, Play, Everyone, Extra

It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Sense, Another, Method, Common Sense

If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships - the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together, in the same world at peace.

- Franklin D. Roosevelt

Relationship, Survive, Kinds, To Survive

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