1882-1945, Thirty-second President of the USA
A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs, who has never learned to walk.
Franklin D. Roosevelt – [Conservatives]
A radical is a man with both feet firmly planted in the air.
Franklin D. Roosevelt – [Politicians and Politics]
A reactionary is a somnambulist walking backwards.
Franklin D. Roosevelt – [Reactionaries]
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 principals and aims as two peas in the same pod.
Franklin D. Roosevelt – [Elections]
Be sincere, be brief; be seated.
Franklin D. Roosevelt – [Speakers and Speaking]
But while they prate of economic laws, men and women are starving. We must lay hold of the fact that economic laws are not made by nature. They are made by human beings.
Franklin D. Roosevelt – [Economy and Economics]
Do Something. If it works, do more of it. If it doesn't, do something else.
Franklin D. Roosevelt – [Action]
Eternal truths will be neither true nor eternal unless they have fresh meaning for every new social situation.
Franklin D. Roosevelt – [Meaning of Life]
Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.
Franklin D. Roosevelt – [Happiness]
Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel in order to be tough.
Franklin D. Roosevelt – [Kindness]
I have no expectation of making a hit every time I come to bat.
Franklin D. Roosevelt – [Expectation]
I see one-third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished.
Franklin D. Roosevelt – [Recession]
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 – [America]
If I went to work in a factory the first thing I'd do is join a union.
Franklin D. Roosevelt – [Work]
If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.
Franklin D. Roosevelt – [Failure]
If we can ''boondoggle'' ourselves out of this depression, that word is going to be enshrined in the hearts of the American people for years to come.
Franklin D. Roosevelt – [Recession]
In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression–everywhere in the world. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way–everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want–which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants–everywhere in the world. The fourth is freedom from fear–which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression gainst any neighbor–anywhere in the world.
Franklin D. Roosevelt – [Security]
It is a terrible thing to look over your shoulder when you are trying to lead — and find no one there.
Franklin D. Roosevelt – [Leaders and Leadership]
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 – [Common Sense]
It is the duty of the President to propose and it is the privilege of the Congress to dispose.
Franklin D. Roosevelt – [Government]