Franklin D. Roosevelt

US President during WWII

Modern influential 108 sayings

Sayings by Franklin D. Roosevelt

The American people are a generous people, and they will always respond to an appeal to their better natures.

Undated — Attributed, often cited in discussions of public opinion.
Controversial Unverifiable

I never let them guess what I think until I’m ready.

1941 — Private conversation (1941)
Controversial Unverifiable

I am a juggler, and I can keep six or seven balls in the air at once. All my life I have been a juggler.

c. 1940s — Conversation with Frances Perkins
Shocking Unverifiable

The American people must and shall be masters of their own destiny.

1933 — First Inaugural Address
Shocking Unverifiable

I hate war.

1936 — Chautauqua Address
Shocking Unverifiable

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

1941 — Third Inaugural Address
Shocking Unverifiable

The American standard of living has been and is being threatened by a small group of selfish men who have no regard for the public welfare.

1933 — Fireside Chat on the Banking Crisis
Shocking Unverifiable

The United States has been attacked. Our people, our territory, and our interests are in grave danger.

1941 — War Message to Congress
Shocking Unverifiable

Remember, remember always, that all of us, and you and I especially, are descended from immigrants and revolutionaries.

1938 — Speech to the Daughters of the American Revolution
Shocking Unverifiable

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

c. 1940s — Attributed, echo of Lincoln, often cited in context of WWII.
Shocking Unverifiable

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.

1936 — Chautauqua Address
Shocking Unverifiable

The structure of our civilization will not be saved by any single device.

1933 — Fireside Chat on the Banking Crisis
Shocking Unverifiable

The true conservative seeks to save in the future as well as in the present. He seeks to save not only in the hope of saving but in the hope of improving.

1932 — Campaign speech
Shocking Unverifiable

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

1934 — Fireside Chat on the Relief Program
Shocking Unverifiable

Freedom from fear, freedom from want, freedom of speech, freedom of religion—these are the four freedoms.

1941 — State of the Union Address
Shocking Unverifiable

We must be prepared to make every sacrifice necessary to preserve our civilization.

1940 — Fireside Chat on National Security
Shocking Unverifiable

The future of America is in the hands of the American youth.

1935 — Speech to Young Democrats
Shocking Unverifiable

The best way to do good is to do it well.

c. 1930s — Attributed, general philosophy.
Shocking Unverifiable

There is an old and true saying that a country's strength lies in its youth.

1934 — Statement on Youth and the Future
Shocking Unverifiable

The greatest primary duty of a government is to protect the weak and to help the unfortunate.

1934 — Fireside Chat on the Purposes and Foundations of the Recovery Program
Shocking Unverifiable