Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882–1945) was the 32nd president of the United States. Widely known by his initials, FDR, Roosevelt is one of the most admired leaders of the United States.
FDR led the United States during some of its most challenging times, both domestically and internationally. He is most renowned for his socio-economic policies to resolve the Great Depression, his decision to enter the war after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, and the eventual victory of the Allied forces in World War II.
FDR is the longest-serving president of the United States. He died three months into his fourth term in office—just weeks before the surrender of Germany in World War II. Time Magazine named Franklin Roosevelt as a runner-up (along with Mahatma Gandhi) to the Person of the Century recognition.
FDR was well-known for his warm-heartedness and humility. He triumphed over a physical disability—at age 39, he suffered a polio attack that practically paralyzed his legs and confined him to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.
FDR is also legendary for his collections of stamps, coins, medals, paintings, models of various artifacts, walking sticks, paintings and photographs of naval vessels, stuffed animals, etc. He was the first president to set up a Presidential Library.
FDR was married to Eleanor Roosevelt and was a distant cousin of Theodore Roosevelt, the 29th president of the United States.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Franklin D. Roosevelt
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
I doubt if there is in the world a single problem, whether social, political, or economic, which would not find ready solution if men and nations would rule their lives according to the plain teaching of the Sermon on the Mount.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Christianity
The only thing to fear is fear itself.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
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
Topics: War
Self-interest is the enemy of all true affection.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Affection
There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Progress
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
Those of you who have been there Haiti know it is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It has everything. It has everything above the ground, and everything under the ground. It is an amazing place. I strongly recommend that whenever you get a chance, if you haven’t been there, that you go to Haiti. I think it was a certain Queen of England who said that after her death Calais would be found written on her heart. When I die, I think that Haiti is going to be written on my heart.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
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
Topics: Freedom, Security, Society
Too often in recent history liberal governments have been wrecked on rocks of loose fiscal policy.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy, forget in time that men have died to win them.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
I sometimes think that the saving grace of America lies in the fact that the overwhelming majority of Americans are possessed of two great qualities- a sense of humor and a sense of proportion.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: America
We need enthusiasm, imagination, and the ability to face facts, even unpleasant ones, bravely.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel in order to be tough.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
There is among you the man who is not bound by party lines. You vote according to your common sense and your calm judgment after hearing each party set forth its program. To you I say that the strength of this independent thought is the great contribution of the American political system.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Politics
If I went to work in a factory the first thing I’d do is join a union.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Work
Any Government, like any family, can for a year spend a little more than it earns. But you and I know that a continuation of that habit means the poorhouse.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Do something. If it works, do more of it. If it doesn’t, do something else.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Action, Humankind
The first theory is that if we make the rich richer, somehow they will let a part of their prosperity trickle down to the rest of us. The second theory was the theory that if we make the average of mankind comfortable and secure, their prosperity will rise upward through the ranks.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
I have no expectation of making a hit every time I come to bat.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Expectation
If we can “boondoggle” ourselves out of this depression, that word is going to be enshrined in the hearts of the American people for years to come.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Economics
We must remember that any oppression, any injustice, any hatred, is a wedge designed to attack our civilization.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Oppression, Civilization
Remember you are just an extra in everyone else’s play.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
We think of our land and water and human resources not as static and sterile possessions but as life giving assets to be directed by wise provisions for future days.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Water
The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation. 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. The millions who are in want will not stand by silently forever while the things to satisfy their needs are within easy reach.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Common Sense, Action
No political party has exclusive patent rights on prosperity.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Politics
A great man left a watchword that we can well repeat: There is no indispensable man.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Work
The moment a mere numerical superiority by either states or voters in this country proceeds to ignore the needs and desires of the minority, and for their own selfish purpose or advancement, hamper or oppress that minority, or debar them in any way from equal privileges and equal rights—that moment will mark the failure of our constitutional system.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
An election cannot give a country a firm sense of direction if it has two or more national parties which merely have different names but are as alike in their principles and aims as two peas in the same pod
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Voting, Elections
Taxes, after all, are dues that we pay for the privileges of membership in an organized society.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Taxes, Taxation
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