Franklin D. Roosevelt

Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort.

First Inaugural Address 1933

I am not a magician. I am a human being who is trying to do his job.

Fireside Chat on the Banking Crisis 1933

The greatest good for the greatest number.

Speech at the Democratic National Convention 1936

We have faith in the future of America, and we have faith in the American people.

First Inaugural Address 1933

The tools of government which we have in 1933 are outmoded. We have to have new tools.

First Inaugural Address 1933

The people of the United States have not failed. They have been ill served by their leaders.

Acceptance Speech at the Democratic National Convention 1932

The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith.

First Inaugural Address 1933

The American ideal of a free society, with its promise of liberty and equality, is still the hope of the world.

Four Freedoms Speech (State of the Union Address) 1941

We must scrupulously guard the civil rights and civil liberties of all our citizens, whatever their background.

Executive Order 9066 (contextual) 1942

The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation.

Speech at Oglethorpe University 1932

I have seen war. I have seen war on land and sea. I have seen blood running in the streets. I have seen men coughing out their gassed lungs. I have seen dead in the mud. I have seen cities destroyed. I have seen children starving. I have seen the agony of mothers and wives. I hate war.

Speech at Chautauqua 1936

The ultimate goal of democracy was not to make everyone rich, but to make everyone free.

State of the Union Address 1944

The people of this country have been patient, but they are not going to be patient much longer.

Fireside Chat on the Banking Crisis 1933

We are going to make a country in which no one is left out.

Speech at the Democratic National Convention 1936

The only sure way to avoid war is to be prepared for it.

Fireside Chat on National Defense 1940

The world cannot long remain half-slave and half-free.

Four Freedoms Speech (State of the Union Address) 1941

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.

Speech at the Democratic National Convention 1936

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

First Inaugural Address 1933

We must remember that the many elements that make up the American population are not to be divided into separate groups, but are all part of the same great whole.

Speech in Boston 1940

The success of our experiment in democracy depends upon the success of our efforts to make that democracy work for all.

Second Inaugural Address 1937

Quotes by Franklin D. Roosevelt