Eleanor Roosevelt quotes

Eleanor Roosevelt, an influential American figure, served as the First Lady of the United States from 1933 to 1945. Born on October 11, 1884, in New York City, she was known for her determination and advocacy for social justice and human rights. As the wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor reshaped the role of First Lady, using her platform to champion causes like civil rights, education, and women's rights. Her tireless efforts led to the creation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Eleanor Roosevelt's significant impact on society continues to inspire generations to strive for equality and create positive change. Learn more about this extraordinary woman's legacy and leadership on our website.

You have to accept whatever comes, and the only important thing is that you meet it with the best you have to give.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Light a candle instead of cursing the darkness.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost, to reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Happiness is not a goal... it's a by-product of a life well lived.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Anyone who knows history, particularly the history of Europe, will, I think, recognize that the domination of education or of government by any one particular religious faith is never a happy arrangement for the people.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Autobiographies are only useful as the lives you read about and analyze may suggest to you something that you may find useful in your own journey through life.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Understanding is a two-way street.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

I once had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue: no good in a bed, but fine up against a wall.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

You can't move so fast that you try to change the mores faster than people can accept it. That doesn't mean you do nothing, but it means that you do the things that need to be done according to priority.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

I used to tell my husband that, if he could make me 'understand' something, it would be clear to all the other people in the country.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Do what you feel in your heart to be right- for you'll be criticized anyway. You'll be damned if you do, and damned if you don't.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Justice cannot be for one side alone, but must be for both.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Campaign behavior for wives: Always be on time. Do as little talking as humanly possible. Lean back in the parade car so everybody can see the president.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

The Bible illustrated by Dore occupied many of my hours - and I think probably gave me many nightmares.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

One's philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes... and the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

You can never really live anyone else's life, not even your child's. The influence you exert is through your own life, and what you've become yourself.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

A little simplification would be the first step toward rational living, I think.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best that you have to give.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Hate and force cannot be in just a part of the world without having an effect on the rest of it.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

There are practical little things in housekeeping which no man really understands.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Anyone who thinks must think of the next war as they would of suicide.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

We are afraid to care too much, for fear that the other person does not care at all.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Actors are one family over the entire world.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility. For the person who is unwilling to grow up, the person who does not want to carry is own weight, this is a frightening prospect.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.

- Eleanor Roosevelt

The giving of love is an education in itself.

- Eleanor Roosevelt