Franklin D. Roosevelt

US President during WWII

Modern influential 108 sayings

Sayings by Franklin D. Roosevelt

The only sure bulwark of continuing liberty is a government strong enough to protect the interests of the people, and a people strong enough and well enough informed to maintain its sovereign control over its government.

1941 — Address at the dedication of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I owe my life to my legs. They have carried me through some tough times.

c. 1930s-1940s — Attributed, a wry comment on his polio and resilience.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The whole purpose of the New Deal was to make America safe for democracy.

c. 1930s — Attributed, a summary of his domestic policy goals.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The longer a man is in office, the more he realizes how little he knows.

c. 1940s — Attributed, a reflective comment on leadership.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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.

1936 — Address at the Democratic National Convention
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I am not a magician. I am a human being. I have my weaknesses, I have my faults. But I am trying to do the best I can for the American people.

1938 — Fireside Chat on the State of the Union
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The United States of America is not a nation of cowards. We will not be intimidated. We will not be defeated. We will not fail.

1941 — War Message to Congress
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

We must be the great arsenal of democracy.

1940 — Fireside Chat on National Security
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

No man is good enough to govern another man without that other's consent.

c. 1930s — Attributed, a common democratic principle.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena...

c. 1930s — Often attributed to Theodore Roosevelt, but Franklin also used similar sentiments.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The day of enlightened administration has come.

1933 — First Inaugural Address
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

I hate war. I have seen war. I have seen blood running from the wounded. I have seen men coughing out their gassed lungs. I have seen dead men strewn on the ground. I have seen the agony of mothers and wives.

1936 — Chautauqua Speech
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The greatest primary task is to put people to work. This is no unsolvable problem if we face it wisely and courageously.

1933 — First Inaugural Address
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The tools of government are not enough. We must have the spirit of the people.

1934 — Fireside Chat on the State of the Union
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

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

1944 — Statement on Civil Rights
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The true strength of a nation lies in the hearts and homes of its people.

c. 1930s-1940s — Attributed, a sentiment often expressed in his speeches.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The ultimate test of our democracy is whether it can meet the challenge of a new world.

1940 — Address at the University of Virginia
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The American people have had enough of being pushed around.

c. 1930s — Attributed, a common theme in his rhetoric.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

We are a nation of many nationalities, many races, many creeds. We are united by a common ideal of freedom and justice.

c. 1930s-1940s — Attributed, a common theme in his rhetoric.
Strange & Unusual Unverifiable

The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.

1933 — First Inaugural Address
Strange & Unusual Confirmed