Inspirational Quotations

Inspirational Quotes by Franklin D. Roosevelt (American Head of State)

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 Mahātma Gāndhī) 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

It is a terrible thing to look over your shoulder when you are trying to lead—and find no one there.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Leadership, Leaders

Remember you are just an extra in everyone else’s play.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt

Better the occasional faults of a government that lives in a spirit of charity than the consistent omissions of a government frozen in the ice of its own indifference.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Government

I see one-third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Economics

Be sincere. Be brief. Be Seated.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt

The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Faith, Doubt, The Future, Uncertainty, Belief, Tomorrow

Self-interest is the enemy of all true affection.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Affection

The only thing to fear is fear itself.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt

They realize that in thirty-four months we have built up new instruments of public power. In the hands of a peoples Government this power is wholesome and proper. But in the hands of political puppets of an economic autocracy such power would provide shackles for the liberties of the people.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt

The United States Constitution has proved itself the most marvelously elastic compilation of rules of government ever written.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt

I believe in the inherent right of every citizen to employment at a living wage and I pledge my support to whatever measures I may deem necessary for inaugurating self-liquidating public works … to provide employment for all surplus labor at all times.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Work

Those who have long enjoyed such privileges as we enjoy, forget in time that men have died to win them.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt

If the Nation is living within its income, its credit is good. If, in some crises, it lives beyond its income for a year or two, it can usually borrow temporarily at reasonable rates. But if, like a spendthrift, it throws discretion to the winds, and is willing to make no sacrifice at all in spending; if it extends its taxing to the limit of the peoples power to pay and continues to pile up deficits, then it is on the road to bankruptcy.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt

There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Progress

In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression—everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way—everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want—which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants—everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear—which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression gainst any neighbor—anywhere in the world.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Security, Freedom

And while I am talking to you mothers and fathers, I give you one more assurance. I have said this before, but I shall say it again and again and again: Your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt

I am neither bitter nor cynical but I do wish there was less immaturity in political thinking.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Thinking

We, and all others who believe in freedom as deeply as we do, would rather die on our feet than live on our knees.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Freedom

In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Independence, Freedom

The frontier of America is on the Rhine.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt

A radical is a man with both feet firmly planted — in the air. A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned to walk forward. A reactionary is a somnambulist walking backwards. A liberal is a man who uses his legs and his hands at the behest — at the command — of his head.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Politicians, Politics, Fanaticism, Conservatives

A nation, like a person, has a mind – a mind that must be kept informed and alert, that must know itself, that understands the hopes and needs of its neighbors – all the other nations that live within the narrowing circle of the world.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Nation

No political party has exclusive patent rights on prosperity.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Politics

When you see a rattlesnake poised to strike you, do not wait until he has struck before you crush him.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Knowledge, Simplicity, Action, Humankind

The value of love will always be stronger than the value of hate.. Any nation or group of nations which employs hatred eventually is torn to pieces by hatred…
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Love

Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort. The joy and moral stimulation of work no longer must be forgotten in the mad chase of evanescent profits. These dark days will be worth all they cost us if they teach us that our true destiny is not to be ministered unto but to minister to ourselves and to our fellow men.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Achieving, Work, Effort, Joy, Achievement, Happiness, Leaders

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

I have no expectation of making a hit every time I come to bat.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Expectation

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
Topics: History

Never underestimate a man who overestimates himself.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt
Topics: Vanity

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