Portrait of Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt

First Lady, human rights

Modern influential 96 sayings

Sayings by Eleanor Roosevelt

The only sure bulwark of continuing liberty is a government strong enough to protect the rights of the individual, and a citizenry wise enough to understand that there is no safety in numbers, in wealth, or in any other form of self-interest.

1940 — Speech 'The American Ideal' at the Democratic National Convention
Political Unverifiable

I sometimes think that we are all of us a little mad and that we are all of us a little sane.

1937 — This Is My Story
Wisdom Unverifiable

I could not, at any age, be content to take my place in a corner by the fireside and simply look on.

1942 — My Day column
Wisdom Unverifiable

We must remember that we are a country of immigrants. We are all here because someone else came before us.

1958 — Speech on immigration
Wisdom Unverifiable

Courage is more exhilarating than fear and in the long run it is easier.

1960 — You Learn by Living: Eleven Keys for a More Fulfilling Life
Inspirational 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...

approx. 1930s-1950s — Often misattributed to her, but she frequently quoted and popularized this passage from Theodore Roo…
Power & Leadership Unverifiable

I have a great belief in the average man and woman.

1940 — My Day column
Wisdom Unverifiable

One's philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes.

1948 — My Day column
Wisdom Unverifiable

I find it much more interesting to be alive than not to be alive.

approx. 1950s — Interview with a journalist
Wisdom Unverifiable

The greatest thing in life is to keep your mind young.

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

Remember always that you have not only the right to be an individual; you have an obligation to be one.

1940 — My Day column
Wisdom Unverifiable

I have never been able to read a book in my life without being interrupted.

1937 — This Is My Story
Educational Unverifiable

We should not be afraid to be different. We should be afraid to be the same.

approx. 1950s — Attributed, informal remark
Wisdom Unverifiable

The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don't want, drink what you don't like, and do what you'd rather not.

approx. 1940s-1950s — Widely attributed, likely a humorous personal observation
Wisdom Unverifiable

I'm a great believer in the wisdom of the common man.

1954 — My Day column
Inspirational Unverifiable

There is a certain exhilaration in working with people who are doing things, whether they are right or wrong.

1937 — This Is My Story
Power & Leadership Unverifiable

I have never been able to get over the fact that a good many people don't want to think.

1956 — My Day column
Wisdom Unverifiable

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.

1960 — You Learn by Living: Eleven Keys for a More Fulfilling Life
Inspirational Confirmed

I'm an old woman, and I have seen many changes. And I have learned that the only thing that doesn't change is human nature.

approx. 1960 — Interview, late in life
Educational Unverifiable

The greatest value of life is not what you get. The greatest value of life is what you become.

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