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Franklin D. Roosevelt

Franklin D. Roosevelt Quotes

32nd U.S. President

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Famous Franklin D. Roosevelt Quotes

“We need enthusiasm, imagination and the ability to face facts, even unpleasant ones, bravely. We need to correct, by drastic means if necessary, the faults in our economic system from which we now suffer. We need the courage of the young. Yours is not the task of making your way in the world, but the task of remaking the world which you will find before you. May every one of us be granted the courage, the faith and the vision to give the best that is in us to that remaking!”

IfsWorldWayNeedsGivingMayMeanFactsWisdomFacesYoungSufferingPoliticsImaginationAbilityVisionEconomyEconomicTasksFaultsEnthusiasmGrantedLiberalismEconomic SystemsCorrectingDrastic
Author:Franklin D. Roosevelt
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“Our policy is to give all possible material aid to the nations that still resist aggression across the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. And we make it abundantly clear that we intend to commit none of the fatal errors of appeasement. We have the thought that in this nation of many states we have found the way in which men of many racial origins may live together in peace. If the human race as a whole is to survive, the world must find a way by which men and nations may live together in peace. We cannot accept the doctrine that war must be forever a part of man's destiny.”

IfsMenWorldWayGivingHumansMayStillsWarStatesWholeTogetherFoundNationsRaceAcceptingDestinyForeverClearPolicyMaterialsOceanErrorsAidsCommitDoctrineHuman RaceAggressionPacificAppeasementPacific Ocean
Author:Franklin D. Roosevelt
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“If civilization is to survive, the principles of the Prince of Peace must be restored. Shattered trust between nations must be revived. Most important of all, the will for peace on the part of peace-loving nations must express itself to the end that nations that may be tempted to violate their agreements and the rights of others will desist from such a cause. There must be positive endeavors to preserve peace. America hates war. America hopes for peace. Therefore, America actively engages in the search for peace.”

IfsMayImportantWarEndsAmericaHateCoursesNationsPeacePrinciplesRightsCivilizationPreservesAgreementEndeavorTemptedShatteredBeing PositivePrince Of Peace
Author:Franklin D. Roosevelt
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“While things on the surface seem more quiet than at any time since last summer, I do not like the maintenance of what amounts to almost full mobilization in aggressor countries. Surely they cannot afford it and if they had any definite policy of trying to work out economic salvation (except by arms) they would be showing some signs of cutting military expenditures.”

IfsTryingWarCountrySeemsWould BeLastsCuttingEconomicMilitaryPolicyArmsAmountQuietSummerSalvationWork OutSurfaceAggressionDefiniteMaintenanceExpendituresAggressorsLast SummerMobilization
Author:Franklin D. Roosevelt
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“[M]y conception of liberty does not permit an individual citizen or a group of citizens to commit acts of depredation against nature in such a way as to harm their neighbors and especially to harm the future generations of Americans. If many years ago we had had the necessary knowledge, and especially the necessary willingness on the part of the Federal Government, we would have saved a sum, a sum of money which has cost the taxpayers of America two billion dollars.”

IfsWayYearsDoeTwoGovernmentAmericaIndividualLibertyGenerationsGroupsCitizensCostYears AgoDollarsHarmNeighborBillionsSavedCommitWillingnessConceptionPermitElectricityConservationFederal GovernmentFuture GenerationTaxpayers
Author:Franklin D. Roosevelt
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“Once I prophesied that this generation of Americans had a rendezvous with destiny. That prophecy now comes true. To us much is given; more is expected. This generation will nobly save or mainly lose the last best hope of earth. The way is plain, peaceful, generous just. A way, which if followed, the world will forever applaud, and God must forever bless.”

IfsWorldWayEarthLastsGivenLosesDestinyForeverGenerationsSecurityExpectedPeacefulGenerousBlessProphecyThis GenerationHoping For The BestRendezvous
Author:Franklin D. Roosevelt
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“One reason--perhaps the chief--of the virility of the Roosevelts is [their] very democratic spirit. They have never felt that because they were born in a good position they could put their hands in their pockets and succeed. They have felt, rather, that being born in a good position, there is no excuse for them if they did not do their duty by the community.”

IfsReasonHandsSpiritFeltBornCommunitySocietyPositionDutySucceedDemocraticExcuseChiefsPocketsNo Excuses
Author:Franklin D. Roosevelt
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“It took six weeks of debate in the Senate to get the Arms Embargo Law repealed--and we face other delays during the present session because most of the Members of the Congress are thinking in terms of next Autumn's election. However, that is one of the prices that we who live in democracies have to pay. It is, however, worth paying, if all of us can avoid the type of government under which the unfortunate population of Germany and Russia must exist.”

IfsThinkingGovernmentFacesLawNextTermPayDemocracyWeekArmsTypeMembersSixElectionCongressPopulationDebateRussiaGermanyAutumnSenateDictatorshipUnfortunateDelaySessionDemocracies HaveEmbargo
Author:Franklin D. Roosevelt
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“The royalists of the economic order have conceded that political freedom was the business of the government, but they have maintained that economic slavery was nobody's business. They granted that the government could protect the citizen in his right to vote, but they denied that the government could do anything to protect the citizen in his right to work and his right to live. Today we stand committed to the proposition that freedom is no half-and-half affair. If the average citizen is guaranteed equal opportunity in the polling place, he must have equal opportunity in the market place.”

IfsGovernmentTodayPoliticalOrderOpportunityHalfEconomicCitizensProtectEqualVoteSlaveryAffairAverageCommittedGrantedDeniedPropositionsLive For TodayRight To VoteEqual OpportunityPolitical FreedomPollingConcededEconomic OrderEconomic Slavery
Book:The Essential Franklin Delano Roosevelt
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“If civilization is to survive, we must cultivate the science of human relationships - the ability of all peoples, of all kinds, to live together, in the same world at peace.”

IfsWorldHumansKindTogetherCulturePeaceCommunityAbilityMoneyRelationshipCivilizationSurvivalToleranceAll KindsPatrioticResolution4th Of JulyHuman RelationsHuman RelationshipsPersonal RelationshipsCoexistencePeace And ToleranceRelationships And LifeTolerance And Diversity
Book:Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: F.D. Roosevelt, 1944-1945, Volume 13
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“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.”

IfsTryingPhilosophyInspirationMotivationalPoliticsPresidentLeadershipCommonFailingPositive ThinkingFailureMethodPerseveranceCommon SensePresidentialThoughtfulPersistentSuccess And FailureDon't Give UpExperimentationTrial And ErrorDetermination PerseverancePerseverance And DeterminationDetermination And PersistencePast FailuresInspiring PresidentialTrying And Failing
Author:Franklin D. Roosevelt
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“The liberty of a democracy is not safe if the people tolerated the growth of private power to a point where it becomes stronger than the democratic state itself. That in its essence is fascism: ownership of government by an individual, by a group, or any controlling private power.”

PeopleIfsStatesGovernmentPoliticsIndividualGrowthFreedomLibertyPowerDemocracyGroupsSafeEssenceStrongerDemocraticTyrannyFascismOwnershipFascistsCorporatismPlutocracyEconomic OrderTyranny Of The MajorityGovernment TyrannyFascism In AmericaMonopoly Power
Book:Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: F.D. Roosevelt, 1938, Volume 7
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“If the fires of freedom and civil liberties burn low in other lands they must be made brighter in our own. 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. If in other lands the eternal truths of the past are threatened by intolerance we must provide a safe place for their perpetuation.”

IfsKindMadeBookPastLiteratureFreedomEffortLibertyHistoryFireLandSafeEternalLowsPressesLibertarianAll KindsIntoleranceThreatenedBrighterCivil LibertiesSafe PlacesCensored
Book:Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: F.D. Roosevelt, 1938, Volume 7
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“More striking still, it appeared that, if the process of concentration goes on at the same rate, at the end of another century we shall have all American industry controlled by a dozen corporations and run by perhaps a hundred men. Put plainly, we are steering a steady course toward economic oligarchy, if we are not there already.”

IfsMenStillsEndsRunningCoursesProcessEconomicCenturyGoes OnIndustryHundredRateCorporationsConcentrationControlledSteadyDozenOligarchySteering
Author:Franklin D. Roosevelt
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“Taxes are paid in the sweat of every man who labors. If those taxes are excessive, they are reflected in idle factories, in tax-sold farms, and in hordes of hungry people, tramping the streets and seeking jobs in vain. Our workers may never see a tax bill, but they pay. They pay in deductions from wages, in increased cost of what they buy, or - as now - in broad unemployment throughout the land.”

PeopleIfsMenMayJobsPayLibertyStreetsLandCostTaxesLaborPaidBillsWorkersSeekingEvery ManHungryVainFarmsSweatFactoriesIdleUnemploymentWagesDeductionsHorde
Author:Franklin D. Roosevelt
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“If we do not halt this steady process of building commissions and regulatory bodies and the special legislation like huge inverted pyramids over every one of the simple constitutional provisions, we shall soon be spending many billions of dollars more.”

IfsBodyProcessSimpleLibertySpecialBuildingHugeDollarsSpendingLibertarianBillionsSteadyLibertarianismLegislationProvisionPyramidsHaltInverted
Book:Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: F.D. Roosevelt, 1940, Volume 9
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“Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort. The joy and moral stimulation of work no longer must be forgotten in the mad chase of evanescent profits. These dark days will be worth all they cost us if they teach us that our true destiny is not to be ministered unto but to minister to ourselves and to our fellow men.”

IfsMenJoyLyingDarkEffortMoralTeachDestinyCreativeCostAchievementFellowsMadMereForgottenProfitPossessionMinistersThrillFellow ManStimulationDark Days
Book:Looking Forward
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“The lessons of religious toleration - a toleration which recognizes complete liberty of human thought, liberty of conscience - is one which, by precept and example, must be inculcated in the hearts and minds of all Americans if the institutions of our democracy are to be maintained and perpetuated. We must recognize the fundamental rights of man. There can be no true national life in our democracy unless we give unqualified recognition to freedom of religious worship and freedom of education.”

IfsMenGivingMindHumansHeartStatesChurchReligiousLibertyDemocracyRightsExampleLessonsWorshipConscienceInstitutionsFundamentalsRecognitionPresidentialHeart And MindTolerationHuman ThoughtUnqualifiedFundamental Rights
Author:Franklin D. Roosevelt
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“We can see now that we Americans were caught unprepared, because we were ordinary human beings, following the best advice we had at the time. No one would have guessed in 1941 that we would be attacked in such an unsportsmanlike manner as we were. No one could have visualized Pearl Harbor, either out there or in Washington. But if we had known then what we know now, we would have expected an attack in 1941.”

IfsKnowsHumansWould BeTimeHuman BeingsKnownAdviceOrdinaryCaughtFollowingExpectedPearlsHarborsBest AdviceUnprepared
Book:Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: F.D. Roosevelt, 1944-1945, Volume 13
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“No greater blessing could come to our land today than a revival of the spirit of religion. I doubt if there is any problem in the world today -- social, political, or economic -- that would not find happy solution if approached in the spirit of the Sermon on the Mount.”

IfsWorldProblemTodayPoliticalSpiritSocialDoubtGreaterEconomicLandBlessingSolutionsSermonsRevivalWorld TodaySermon On The Mount
Book:Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: F.D. Roosevelt, 1938, Volume 7
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“Those of you who have been there [Haiti] know it is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It has everything. It has everything above the ground, and everything under the ground.... It is an amazing place. I strongly recommend that whenever you get a chance, if you haven't been there, that you go to Haiti. I think it was a certain Queen of England who said that after her death "Calais" would be found written on her heart. When I die, I think that "Haiti" is going to be written on my heart.”

IfsThinkingKnowsWorldHeartHas BeensSaidCountryWould BeBeautifulCertainDiesFoundChanceWrittenMy HeartEnglandQueensHaitiQueen Of EnglandBeautiful CountryAmazing Places
Author:Franklin D. Roosevelt
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“If the Nation is living within its income, its credit is good. If, in some crises, it lives beyond its income for a year or two, it can usually borrow temporarily at reasonable rates. But if, like a spendthrift, it throws discretion to the winds, and is willing to make no sacrifice at all in spending; if it extends its taxing to the limit of the peoples power to pay and continues to pile up deficits, then it is on the road to bankruptcy.”

IfsYearsTwoNationsPaySacrificeWillingWindLimitsCrisisRateCreditSpendingIncomeReasonableDeficitDiscretionBankruptcySpendthrift
Book:Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: F.D. Roosevelt, 1928-1932, Volume 1
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“History proves that dictatorships do not grow out of strong and successful governments, but out of weak and helpless ones. If by democratic methods people get a government strong enough to protect them from fear and starvation, their democracy succeeds; but if they do not, they grow impatient. Therefore, the only sure bulwark of continuing liberty is a government strong enough to protect the interests of the people, and a people strong enough and well enough informed to maintain its sovereign control over its government.”

PeopleIfsWellsEnoughGovernmentStrongGrowsInterestLibertyDemocracySuccessfulSucceedProtectProveWeakMethodDemocraticOver ItDictatorshipContinuingHelplessSovereignStrong EnoughImpatientStarvation
Book:Fireside chats of Franklin Delano Roosevelt: radio addresses to the American people about the Depression, the New Deal, and the Second World War, 1933-1944
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“Our national debt after all is an internal debt owed not only by the Nation but to the Nation. If our children have to pay interest on it they will pay that interest to themselves. A reasonable internal debt will not impoverish our children or put the Nation into bankruptcy.”

IfsChildrenNationsInterestPayOur ChildrenDebtReasonableInternalsBankruptcyNational Debt
Book:Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: F.D. Roosevelt, 1939, Volume 8
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“The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation. 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. The millions who are in want will not stand by silently forever while the things to satisfy their needs are within easy reach.”

IfsWantNeedsTryingCountryWisdomPoliticsEasyCommonMistakeMillionsEconomyForeverFailingDemandMethodCommon SenseLiberalismTemperPersistentExperimentation
Author:Franklin D. Roosevelt
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