Franklin Delano Roosevelt ( January 30, 1882 – April 12, 1945), commonly known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States (1933–1945), he was also the only president who served for 12 years and four terms until his death in 1945, and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic depression and total war.
Energized by his personal victory over polio, FDR’s unfailing optimism and activism contributed to a renewal of the national spirit.
Assisted by key aide Harry Hopkins, he worked closely with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin in leading the Allies against Nazi Germany and Japan in World War II.
Roosevelt is consistently rated by scholars as one of the top three U.S. Presidents, along with Abraham Lincoln and George Washington.
The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much it is whether we provide enough for those who have little.
Democracy cannot succeed unless those who express their choice are prepared to choose wisely. The real safeguard of democracy, therefore, is education.
The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation
A conservative is a man with two perfectly good legs who, however, has never learned how to walk forward.
Confidence… thrives on honesty, on honor, on the sacredness of obligations, on faithful protection and on unselfish performance. Without them it cannot live.
When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on.
The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today.
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.
We may not be able to prepare the future for our children, but we can at least prepare our children for the future.
Happiness lies in the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.
A nation that destroys its soils destroys itself. Forests are the lungs of our land, purifying the air and giving fresh strength to our people.
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.
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.
I ask you to judge me by the enemies I have made.
Selfishness is the only real atheism; aspiration, unselfishness, the only real religion.
Physical strength can never permanently withstand the impact of spiritual force.
No man can occupy the office of President without realizing that he is President of all the people.
There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still.
Remember you are just an extra in everyone else’s play.
To reach a port, we must sail – sail, not tie at anchor – sail, not drift.
Prosperous farmers mean more employment, more prosperity for the workers and the business men of every industrial area in the whole country.
There are as many opinions as there are experts.
The virtues are lost in self-interest as rivers are lost in the sea.
If you treat people right they will treat you right … ninety percent of the time.
Men are not prisoners of fate, but only prisoners of their own minds.
Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the assessment that something else is more important than fear.
It isn’t sufficient just to want – you’ve got to ask yourself what you are going to do to get the things you want.
Repetition does not transform a lie into a truth.
Great power involves great responsibility
Be sincere, Be brief, Be seated
We and all others who believe in freedom as deeply as we do, would rather die on our feet than live on our knees.
