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Explore 100+ Iconic Quotes by FDR: Insights & Inspirations

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Franklin D. Roosevelt, widely known as FDR, was not only a pivotal figure in American history but also an eloquent speaker whose quotes continue to inspire generations. His words offer wisdom and solace amidst challenges, guiding us through the complexities of life and leadership. Focusing on courage, resilience, and the indomitable spirit of humanity, FDR's quotes are timeless treasures. This article explores ten distinct aspects of FDR's quotes, categorized under specific themes. Each theme includes twelve quotes that encapsulate FDR's philosophy and insight into human nature, society, and governance. FDR's ability to capture the essence of human struggles and achievements is unparalleled, and this compilation aims to reveal the power and relevance of his words today. From courage and perseverance to leadership and hope, FDR's quotes serve as a beacon for those seeking inspiration and guidance. Delve into the heart of Roosevelt's wisdom and discover how his legacy shapes our understanding of the world.

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."
  • "There is nothing I love as much as a good fight."
  • "Take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something."
  • "Courage is doing what you are afraid to do."
  • "We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future."
  • "Courage is being scared to death—and saddling up anyway."
  • "Confidence... thrives on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations, on faithful protection and on unselfish performance."
  • "It is fun to be in the same decade with you."
  • "A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor."
  • "There is one thing worse than a quitter, and that is a man who is afraid to begin."
  • "Remember, you are just an extra in everyone else's play."
  • Quotes on Leadership

  • "A good leader can't get too far ahead of his followers."
  • "To reach a port, we must sail—sail, not tie at anchor—sail, not drift."
  • "It's a terrible thing to look over your shoulder when you are trying to lead—and find no one there."
  • "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."
  • "Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds."
  • "I ask you to judge me by the enemies I have made."
  • "The point in history at which we stand is full of solemn and challenging implications."
  • "There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still."
  • "True individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence."
  • "The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today."
  • "We are trying to construct a more inclusive society."
  • "A leadership geared to the realities of the future."
  • Quotes on Resilience

  • "When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."
  • "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
  • "Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort."
  • "A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself."
  • "Real men are strong because they self-regulate."
  • "If you treat people right, they will treat you right—ninety percent of the time."
  • "I have no expectation of making a hit every time I come to bat."
  • "You can't be any luckier than with the company you keep."
  • "You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was."
  • "Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people.
  • "I see one-third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished."
  • "In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved."
  • Quotes on Hope

  • "The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today."
  • "It takes a long time to bring the past up to the present."
  • "There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still."
  • "We must remember that any oppression, any injustice, any hatred, is a wedge designed to attack our civilization."
  • "I am accustomed to living amid difficulties."
  • "In politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way."
  • "I am reminded of some of the tragedies of former wars."
  • "It is common sense to take a method and try it."
  • "I'd like to have some semblance of order."
  • "I think we consider too much the good luck of the early bird and not enough the bad luck of the early worm."
  • "The truth is found when men are free to pursue it."
  • "The overwhelming majority of Americans are possessed of two great qualities: a sense of humor and a sense of proportion."
  • Quotes on Progress

  • "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."
  • "There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still."
  • "I think there is much to be said for a policy of being somewhat skeptical of progress."
  • "The course of civilization is a race between catastrophe and education."
  • "No man and no force can abolish memory."
  • "The future lies within us."
  • "The growth of a nation must be balanced and controlled."
  • "A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself."
  • "If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships."
  • "The new frontier of which I speak is not a set of promises—it is a set of challenges."
  • "The world must be made safe for democracy."
  • "We may have bad, good, or indifferent governments, but government itself is not bad."
  • Quotes on Humanity

  • "Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people."
  • "Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort."
  • "We must remember that any oppression is a wedge designed to attack our civilization."
  • "You have to do your own growing no matter how tall your grandfather was."
  • "It is the duty of the State to provide for the economic security of the people."
  • "In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved."
  • "The point in history at which we stand is full of solemn and challenging implications."
  • "Remember, you are just an extra in everyone else's play."
  • "The overwhelming majority of Americans are possessed of two great qualities: a sense of humor and a sense of proportion."
  • "Real men are strong because they self-regulate."
  • "I'd like to have some semblance of order."
  • "I have no expectation of making a hit every time I come to bat."
  • Quotes on Perseverance

  • "There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still."
  • "When you come to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on."
  • "It's common sense to take a method and try it."
  • "Take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something."
  • "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
  • "I have no expectation of making a hit every time I come to bat."
  • "Truth is found when men are free to pursue it."
  • "Real men are strong because they self-regulate."
  • "If you treat people right, they will treat you right—ninety percent of the time."
  • "You can't be any luckier than with the company you keep."
  • "We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the future."
  • "Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort."
  • Quotes on Optimism

  • "The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today."
  • "Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds."
  • "We must cultivate the science of human relationships."
  • "The truth is found when men are free to pursue it."
  • "The overwhelming majority of Americans are possessed of two great qualities: a sense of humor and a sense of proportion."
  • "If you treat people right, they will treat you right—ninety percent of the time."
  • "No man and no force can abolish memory."
  • "We may have bad, good, or indifferent governments, but government itself is not bad."
  • "Real men are strong because they self-regulate."
  • "It's a terrible thing to look over your shoulder when you are trying to lead—and find no one there."
  • "Freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved."
  • "I ask you to judge me by the enemies I have made."
  • Quotes on Justice

  • "The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much."
  • "Freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved."
  • "In politics, nothing happens by accident."
  • "It is the duty of the State to provide for the economic security of the people."
  • "In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved."
  • "We must remember that any oppression is a wedge designed to attack our civilization."
  • "Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people."
  • "Real men are strong because they self-regulate."
  • "The overwhelming majority of Americans are possessed of two great qualities: a sense of humor and a sense of proportion."
  • "I ask you to judge me by the enemies I have made."
  • "The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today."
  • "There is nothing I love as much as a good fight."
  • Quotes on Legacy

  • "The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today."
  • "A smooth sea never made a skilled sailor."
  • "As Americans, we go forward, in the service of our country, by the will of God."
  • "We may have bad, good, or indifferent governments, but government itself is not bad."
  • "True individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence."
  • "No man and no force can abolish memory."
  • "The future lies within us."
  • "The course of civilization is a race between catastrophe and education."
  • "Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds."
  • "A leadership geared to the realities of the future."
  • "Our national determination to keep free of foreign wars and foreign entanglements cannot prevent us from feeling sympathy for the freedom-loving peoples everywhere."
  • "Confidence... thrives on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations, on faithful protection and on unselfish performance."
  • Final words

    Franklin D. Roosevelt's quotes are more than mere words; they are lifelong lessons that speak to the hopes, challenges, and triumphs of humanity. Through the exploration of courage, leadership, resilience, hope, progress, humanity, perseverance, optimism, justice, and legacy, we find a profound understanding of how FDR perceived the world. His insights guide us toward a future enriched by the values he championed. FDR's voice remains alive in today's world, speaking to the needs for courage in adversity, the importance of leadership, the nurturing of resilience, and the eternal flame of hope. His exceptional ability to lead during some of America's darkest hours underscores his importance in history and in shaping today's discourse. As we conclude our journey through FDR's quotes, we are reminded of our potential to overcome challenges despite adversities, both individually and collectively. May his words continue to inspire us to strive for a better future and embrace the virtues that define the human spirit. By learning from the past, we are empowered to meet the challenges of tomorrow with confidence and purpose.

    Dive into over 100 memorable quotes by Franklin D. Roosevelt, offering a glimpse into the wisdom and leadership of the former U.S. President. Perfect for history enthusiasts and those seeking inspiration.

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