Franklin D. Roosevelt (Politician)

is not dying. We know it because we have seen it revive — and grow. We know it cannot die — because it is built on the unhampered initiative of individual men and women joined together in a common enterprise — an enterprise undertaken and carried through by the free expression of a free majority.

We know it because, if we look below the surface, we sense it still spreading on every continent — for it is the most humane, the most advanced, and in the end the most unconquerable of all forms of human society.

— Franklin D. Roosevelt reading

The democratic aspiration is no mere recent phase in human history. It is human history. It permeated the ancient life of early peoples. It blazed anew in the Middle Ages. It was written in .

— Franklin D. Roosevelt life

In the Americas its impact has been irresistible. America has been the New World in all tongues, to all peoples, not because this continent was a new-found land, but because all those who came here believed they could create upon this continent a new life — a life that should be new in freedom.

— Franklin D. Roosevelt life

The hopes of the Republic cannot forever tolerate either undeserved poverty or self-serving wealth.

— Franklin D. Roosevelt hope

We know that we still have far to go; that we must more greatly build the security and the opportunity and the knowledge of every citizen, in the measure justified by the resources and the capacity of the land.

— Franklin D. Roosevelt knowledge

But it is not enough to achieve these purposes alone. It is not enough to clothe and feed the body of this Nation, and instruct and inform its mind. For there is also the spirit. And of the three, the greatest is the spirit. Without the body and the mind, as all men know, the Nation could not live. But if the spirit of America were killed, even though the Nation's body and mind, constricted in an alien world, lived on, the America we know would have perished.

— Franklin D. Roosevelt purpose

The destiny of America was proclaimed in words of prophecy spoken by our first President in his first inaugural in 1789 — words almost directed, it would seem, to this year of 1941: "The preservation of the sacred fire of liberty and the destiny of the republican model of government are justly considered ... deeply,... finally, staked on the experiment intrusted to the hands of the American people."

— Franklin D. Roosevelt people

If we lose that sacred fire — if we let it be smothered with doubt and fear — then we shall reject the destiny which Washington strove so valiantly and so triumphantly to establish. The preservation of the spirit and faith of the Nation does, and will, furnish the highest justification for every sacrifice that we may make in the cause of national defense.

— Franklin D. Roosevelt faith

In the face of , our strong purpose is to protect and to perpetuate the integrity of democracy. For this we muster the spirit of America, and the faith of America. We do not retreat. We are not content to stand still. As Americans, we go forward, in the service of our country, by the will of God.

— Franklin D. Roosevelt faith

Yesterday, December 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy [...]

— Franklin D. Roosevelt live

Yesterday, December 7, 1941 — a date which will live in infamy — the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan. The United States was at peace with that nation, and, at the solicitation of Japan, was still in conversation with its government and its Emperor looking toward the maintenance of peace in the Pacific.

— Franklin D. Roosevelt war

It will be recorded that the distance of Hawaii from Japan makes it obvious that the attack was deliberately planned many days or even weeks ago. During the intervening time the Japanese Government has deliberately sought to deceive the United States by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

— Franklin D. Roosevelt hope

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense, that always will our whole nation remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people, in their righteous might, will win through to absolute victory.

— Franklin D. Roosevelt people

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger. With confidence in our armed forces, with the unbounding determination of our people, we will gain the inevitable triumph, so help us God.

— Franklin D. Roosevelt people

I ask that the Congress declare that since the unprovoked and dastardly attack by Japan on Sunday, December 7, 1941, a state of war has existed between the United States and the Japanese Empire

— Franklin D. Roosevelt war

We can gain no lasting peace if we approach it with suspicion and mistrust or with fear. We can gain it only if we proceed with the understanding, the confidence, and the courage which flow from conviction.

— Franklin D. Roosevelt fear

We Americans of today, together with our allies, are passing through . It is a test of our courage—of our resolve—of our wisdom—our essential . If we meet that test—successfully and honorably—we shall perform a service of historic importance which men and women and children will honor throughout all time. As I stand here today, having taken the solemn oath of office in the presence of my fellow countrymen—in the presence of our — I know that it is America's purpose that we shall not fail.

— Franklin D. Roosevelt wisdom

In the days and in the years that are to come we shall work for a just and honorable peace, a durable peace, as today we work and fight for total victory in war. We can and we will achieve such a .

— Franklin D. Roosevelt war

We shall strive for perfection. We shall not achieve it immediately—but we still shall strive. We may make mistakes—but they must never be mistakes which result from faintness of heart or abandonment of moral principle.

— Franklin D. Roosevelt art

And so today, in this year of war, 1945, we have learned lessons— at a fearful cost—and we shall profit by them.

— Franklin D. Roosevelt fear

We have learned that we cannot live alone, at peace; that our own well-being is dependent on the well-being of other nations far away. We have learned that we must live as men, not as ostriches, nor as dogs in the manger. We have learned to be citizens of the world, members of the human community. We have learned the simple truth, as , that "The only way to have a friend is to be one."

— Franklin D. Roosevelt truth

This generation of Americans has a rendezvous with destiny.

— Franklin D Roosevelt destiny

Eternal truths will be neither true nor eternal unless they have fresh meaning for every new social situation.

— Franklin D Roosevelt truth

N.B.: Fear itself. See also H. D. Thoreau.

— Franklin D Roosevelt fear

We, and all others who believe in freedom as deeply as we do, would rather die on our feet than live on our knees.

— Franklin D Roosevelt freedom

It is the duty of the President to propose and it is the privilege of the Congress to dispose.

— Franklin D Roosevelt duty

I sometimes think that the saving grace of America lies in the fact that the overwhelming majority of Americans are possessed of two great qualities- a sense of humor and a sense of proportion.

— Franklin D Roosevelt humor

It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.

— Franklin D Roosevelt

Yesterday, December seventh, 1941, a date which will live in infamy, the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.

— Franklin D Roosevelt america

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

— Franklin D Roosevelt evolution

Those who have long enjoyed such privleges as we enjoy forget in time that men have died to win them.

— Franklin D Roosevelt time

Let us never forget that government is ourselves and not an alien power over us.The ultimate rulers of our democracy are not a President and senators and congressmen and government officials, but the voters of this country.

— Franklin D Roosevelt power

The forgotten man at the bottom of the economic pyramid.

— Franklin D Roosevelt man

Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people.A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.

— Franklin D Roosevelt people

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself--nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.

— Franklin D Roosevelt fear

No business which depends for existence on paying less than living wages to its workers has any right to continue in this country. By living wages I mean more than a bare subsistence level--I mean the wages of decent living.

— Franklin D Roosevelt work

To reach a port we must set sail. Sail, not tie at anchor. Sail, not drift.

— Franklin D Roosevelt

When you get to the end of the rope, tie a knot and hang on.

— Franklin D Roosevelt you

Be sincere; be brief; be seated.

— Franklin D Roosevelt sin

It is a terrible thing to look over your shoulder when you are trying to lead -- and find no one there.

— Franklin D Roosevelt you

In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed; it must be achieved.

— Franklin D Roosevelt freedom

When you get to the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.

— Franklin D Roosevelt you

The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

— Franklin D Roosevelt fear

More than an end to war, we want an end to the beginning of all wars - yes, an end to this brutal, inhuman and thoroughly impractical method of settling the differences between governments.

— Franklin D Roosevelt war

More than an end to war, we want an end to the beginnings of all wars.

— Franklin D Roosevelt war

Selfishness is the only real atheism; aspiration, unselfishness, the only real religion.

— Franklin D Roosevelt religion

The school is that last expenditure upon which Americans should be willing to economize

— Franklin D Roosevelt america

In politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way.

— Franklin D Roosevelt politics

Here is my principle: Taxes shall be levied according to ability to pay. That is the only American principle.

— Franklin D Roosevelt america

To stand upon ramparts and die for our principles is heroic, but to sally forth to battle and win for our principles is something more than heroic

— Franklin D Roosevelt art

Rules are not necessarily sacred, principles are.

— Franklin D Roosevelt rules

I think we consider too much the good luck of the early bird and not enough the bad luck of the early worm.

— Franklin D Roosevelt good

If in other lands the press and books and literature of all kinds are censored, we must redouble our efforts here to keep them free

— Franklin D Roosevelt books

Presidents do make mistakes, but the immortal Dante tells us that divine justice weighs the sins of the cold-blooded and the sins of the warm-hearted in different scales

— Franklin D Roosevelt war

Im not the smartest fellow in the world, but I can sure pick smart colleagues.

— Franklin D Roosevelt art

The point in history at which we stand is full of promise and danger. The world will either move forward toward unity and widely shared prosperity - or it will move apart.

— Franklin D Roosevelt war

They (who) seek to establish systems of government based on the regimentation of all human beings by a handful of individual rulers. . . call this a new order. It is not new and it is not order.

— Franklin D Roosevelt men

The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerate the growth of private power to a point where it comes stronger than their democratic state itself. That, in its essence, is fascism - ownership of government by an individual, by a group,

— Franklin D Roosevelt people

An election cannot give a country a firm sense of direction if it has two or more national parties which merely have different names but are as alike in their principles and aims as two peas in the same pod

— Franklin D Roosevelt art

We have always known that heedless self-interest was bad morals; we now know that it is bad economics.

— Franklin D Roosevelt self

True individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.

— Franklin D Roosevelt freedom

We do our best that we know how at the moment, and if it doesnt turn out, we modify it.

— Franklin D Roosevelt men

One thing is sure. We have to do something. We have to do the best we know how at the moment. If it doesnt turn out right, we can modify it as we go along.

— Franklin D Roosevelt men

I hope that your committee will not permit doubt as to constitutionality, however reasonable, to block the suggested legislation (the Guffey Coal Control Bill)

— Franklin D Roosevelt hope

A great man left a watchword that we can well repeat: There is no indispensable man

— Franklin D Roosevelt man

I do not believe in Communism any more than you do but there is nothing wrong with the Communists in this country; several of the best friends I have got are Communists

— Franklin D Roosevelt friends

It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something. - former US President Franklin D. Roosevelt

— Franklin D Roosevelt

Peace, like charity, begins at home

— Franklin D Roosevelt peace

If you treat people right they will treat you right -- ninety percent of the time.

— Franklin D Roosevelt time

We continue to recognize the greater ability of some to earn more than others. But we do assert that the ambition of the individual to obtain for him a proper security is an ambition to be preferred to the appetite for great wealth and great power.

— Franklin D Roosevelt power

Self-interest is the enemy of all true affection.

— Franklin D Roosevelt self

If I were starting life over again, I am inclined to think that I would go into the advertising business in preference to almost any other. The general raising of the standards of modern civilization among all groups of people during the past half ce

— Franklin D Roosevelt life

We are trying to construct a more inclusive society. We are going to make a country in which no one is left out.

— Franklin D Roosevelt society

We have always held to the hope, the belief, the conviction that there is a better life, a better world, beyond the horizon.

— Franklin D Roosevelt life

We must lay hold of the fact that economic laws are not made by nature. They are made by human beings.

— Franklin D Roosevelt nature

When you see a rattlesnake poised to strike, you do not wait until he has struck to crush him.

— Franklin D Roosevelt you

Whoever seeks to set one religion against another seeks to destroy all religion.

— Franklin D Roosevelt religion

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