Portrait of Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt

First Lady, human rights

Modern influential 96 sayings

Sayings by Eleanor Roosevelt

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

1937 — This Is My Story
Wisdom Confirmed

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

1954 — My Day column
Inspirational Confirmed

Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.

approx. 1940s-1950s — Widely attributed, though exact source debated, often linked to 'My Day' column themes.
Wisdom Confirmed

It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do yourself.

1943 — My Day column
Wisdom Confirmed

When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die.

1950 — My Day column
Wisdom Unverifiable

Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.

1953 — My Day column
Wisdom Unverifiable

We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us through that darkness to a safe and sane future.

1947 — Speech at the United Nations
Life & Death Unverifiable

To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.

1960 — You Learn by Living: Eleven Keys for a More Fulfilling Life
Art & Creativity Unverifiable

It is a waste of time to be angry about my troubles. I must look for a solution.

1940 — My Day column
Wisdom Unverifiable

I think, at a child's birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift would be curiosity.

1958 — My Day column
Wisdom Confirmed

The battle for the civil rights of black people has to be fought by black people themselves.

1957 — Interview with Edward R. Murrow, 'See It Now'
War & Conflict Unverifiable

I have sometimes thought that it was a good thing that I was not a man, for I should have been a very restless man.

1937 — This Is My Story
Wisdom Unverifiable

The giving of love is an education in itself.

1960 — You Learn by Living: Eleven Keys for a More Fulfilling Life
Educational Unverifiable

I think that the greatest contribution that I could make would be to help people to think for themselves.

approx. 1950s — Interview with a journalist
Wisdom Unverifiable

Understanding is a two-way street.

1952 — My Day column
Wisdom Unverifiable

The mind of man is capable of anything, because everything is in it, all the past as well as all the future.

approx. 1950s — Attributed, possibly from a speech or essay.
Wisdom Unverifiable

You can't just talk about it. You have to be about it.

approx. 1940s-1950s — Widely attributed, informal advice
Wisdom Unverifiable

I have never felt that I was a particularly brilliant person, but I have always felt that I was a person who was willing to work hard.

1937 — This Is My Story
Wisdom Unverifiable

Life was meant to be lived, and curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.

1958 — My Day column
Wisdom Unverifiable

We grow in kindness when we act kindly.

1960 — You Learn by Living: Eleven Keys for a More Fulfilling Life
Wisdom Unverifiable
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