Franklin D. Roosevelt, a pivotal figure in American history, left a legacy of wisdom through his words that resonate even today. His insight into leadership, resilience, and human values provides profound guidance for navigating the complexities of modern life. This article explores ten facets of FDR's thought, encapsulating his views on leadership, perseverance, and hope. Each section offers quotes that reflect his philosophy, revealing a man deeply committed to progress, democracy, and the betterment of society. These quotes serve as timeless reminders of the enduring power of inspired vision and courage.
Leadership Quotes
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
"A good leader is not a searcher for consensus but a molder of consensus."
"In our personal ambitions we are individualists. But in our seeking for economic and political progress as a nation, we all go up or else all go down as one people."
"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."
"To reach a port we must set sail – Sail, not tie at anchor. Sail, not drift."
"There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still."
"One thing is sure. We have to do something. We have to do the best we know how at the moment... If it doesn't turn out right, we can modify it as we go along."
"I ask you to judge me by the enemies I have made."
"Never before have we had so little time in which to do so much."
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little."
"Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort."
"We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future."
Perseverance Quotes
"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."
"It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to succeed."
"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today."
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear."
"The only way to have a friend is to be one."
"Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds."
"There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still."
"To reach a port, we must sail – sail, not tie at anchor – sail, not drift."
"Take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another."
"Never before have we had so little time in which to do so much."
"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today."
"This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny."
Hope and Optimism Quotes
"We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon."
"Calm seas never made a good sailor."
"The test of progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much, but whether we provide enough for those who have too little."
"In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved."
"I’m not the smartest fellow in the world, but I can sure pick smart colleagues."
"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today."
"Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists."
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
"The very word 'freedom,' in itself and of necessity, suggests freedom from some restraining power."
"Self-interest is the enemy of all true affection."
"We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future."
"Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists."
Quotes on Courage
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear."
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
"Courage is the first of human qualities because it is the quality which guarantees the others."
"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."
"There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still."
"In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved."
"Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds."
"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today."
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
"The only way to have a friend is to be one."
"Take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another."
"A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned to walk forward."
Quotes on Democracy
"Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education."
"The Democratic party is a party of hope. It is a party of the future."
"Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds."
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
"In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved."
"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today."
"The only way to have a friend is to be one."
"This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny."
"Take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another."
"There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still."
"Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education."
"To reach a port, we must sail – sail, not tie at anchor – sail, not drift."
Economic Progress Quotes
"In our personal ambitions we are individualists. But in our seeking for economic and political progress as a nation, we all go up, or else all go down, as one people."
"We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon."
"The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little."
"I’m not the smartest fellow in the world, but I can sure pick smart colleagues."
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
"People are enduring and creative, fighting their own battles with great strength and vigor."
"Never before have we had so little time in which to do so much."
"In politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way."
"The only way to have a friend is to be one."
"A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned to walk forward."
"Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionists."
"In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved."
Quotes on Change and Progress
"There are many ways of moving forward, but only one way of standing still."
"In our seeking for economic and political progress as a nation, we all go up, or else all go down, as one people."
"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today."
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
"Now is the time to unite, to rally, and to take measures for the preservation of our dear country."
"Never before have we had so little time in which to do so much."
"People are enduring and creative, fighting their own battles with great strength and vigor."
"To reach a port we must set sail – Sail, not tie at anchor. Sail, not drift."
"Take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another."
"There is a mysterious cycle in human events. To some generations, much is given. Of other generations, much is expected."
"The only way to have a friend is to be one."
"Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds."
Quotes on Resilience
"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."
"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today."
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear."
"In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved."
"There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still."
"To reach a port we must set sail – Sail, not tie at anchor. Sail, not drift."
"Take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another."
"Never before have we had so little time in which to do so much."
"Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds."
"Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort."
"Self-interest is the enemy of all true affection."
Quotes on Liberty and Freedom
"In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved."
"Freedom means the supremacy of human rights everywhere."
"Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education."
"In our seeking for economic and political progress as a nation, we all go up, or else all go down, as one people."
"Never before have we had so little time in which to do so much."
"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today."
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
"Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds."
"There is a mysterious cycle in human events. To some generations, much is given. Of other generations, much is expected."
"The test of progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little."
"The only way to have a friend is to be one."
"To reach a port we must set sail – Sail, not tie at anchor. Sail, not drift."
Quotes on Innovation and Creativity
"Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort."
"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."
"To reach a port, we must sail – sail, not tie at anchor – sail, not drift."
"People are enduring and creative, fighting their own battles with great strength and vigor."
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
"Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds."
"Never before have we had so little time in which to do so much."
"When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."
"In our seeking for economic and political progress as a nation, we all go up, or else all go down, as one people."
"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today."
"A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned to walk forward."
"Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education."
Final words
Franklin D. Roosevelt's quotes encapsulate a spirit of determination, hope, and wisdom that continues to influence leaders and individuals around the globe. His thoughts on leadership, perseverance, courage, democracy, and innovation inspire us to envision a brighter future and work tirelessly towards it. In these challenging times, FDR's words remind us that progress is dependent on our collective commitment and resilience. His enduring legacy demonstrates that when guided by courage and vision, we can overcome any obstacle. These timeless quotes encourage reflection, inspire action, and instill an unwavering belief in the power of change and progress.
