Discover the powerful wisdom of Eleanor Roosevelt through these inspiring quotes. Known for her remarkable strength and vision, Eleanor Roosevelt’s quotes offer timeless advice on courage, self-belief, and embracing life’s challenges. Each quote reflects her deep understanding of human nature and her commitment to making the world a better place.
- “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.”
- “Do what you feel in your heart to be right, for you’ll be criticized anyway.”
- “We create vacuums for ourselves by sheer apathy.”
- “You must do the things you think you cannot do.”
- “A woman cannot meet adequately the needs of those who are nearest to her if she has no interests, no friends, no occupations of her own.”
- “Happiness is not a goal; it is a by-product.”
- “The advantage of being busy is that you don’t have time to think about yourself.”
- “In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves.”
- “Never allow a person to tell you no who doesn’t have the power to say yes.”
- “Life is what you make it. Always has been, always will be.”
Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes About Age:
- “Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.”
- “Today is the oldest you’ve ever been, and the youngest you’ll ever be again.”
- “No matter how plain a woman may be, if truth and honesty are written across her face, she will be beautiful.”
- “The giving of love is an education in itself.”
- “I could not at any age be content to take my place by the fireside and simply look on.”
- “Old age has deformities enough of its own. It should never add to them the deformity of vice.”
- “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”
- “One’s philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes.”
- “We grow old by not continuing to grow.”
- “Life was meant to be lived, and curiosity must be kept alive.
Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes About Children:
- “Children’s lives are shaped by the people who surround them, not by mere chance.”
- “If you have a child, it’s your duty to help them reach their fullest potential.”
- “The most important thing in any relationship, whether with a child or adult, is trust.”
- “It is a privilege to guide a child, but never forget that they are also teaching you.”
- “A child’s mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a garden to be nurtured.”
- “In children, we see the hope and potential of the future.”
- “Every child must be valued, for they are the seeds of tomorrow’s society.”
- “A child’s sense of wonder is their greatest asset—nurture it.”
- “What you give to children is not just teaching but a foundation for their entire lives.”
- “The way we talk to our children becomes their inner voice.”
Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes About Encouragement:
- “Nothing has ever been achieved by the person who says, ‘It can’t be done.’”
- “Do one thing every day that scares you.”
- “You must constantly push yourself beyond your limits if you are going to achieve your dreams.”
- “It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.”
- “Strength grows in the moments when you think you can’t go on but you keep going anyway.”
- “Courage is more exhilarating than fear, and in the long run, it is easier.”
- “Believe in yourself and your capabilities, for no one else can do it for you.”
- “The future is literally in our hands to mold as we like. But we cannot wait until tomorrow. Tomorrow is now.”
- “If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavor.”
- “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.”
Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes About Future:
- “Whatever comes, we have to meet it.”
- “With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.”
- “The future is something which everyone reaches at the rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.”
- “You cannot live tomorrow today. Plan for the future but live in the present.”
- “What you do today can improve all your tomorrows.”
- “It is today that we must create the world of the future.”
- “The future is in our hands, we have no need to wait for the distant future to build the world we want.”
- “We will be the architects of our own future if we believe in the possibilities of what can be.”
- “The only limit to our realization of tomorrow is our doubts of today.”
- “It is not more time we need, but a clearer vision of the future we wish to create.”
Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes About Gossip:
- “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”
- “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent, not even the whispers of gossip.”
- “Gossip is the tool of those with nothing constructive to say.”
- “Those who engage in gossip reveal more about themselves than the people they talk about.”
- “You must learn to rise above the pettiness of gossip and focus on what truly matters.”
- “Gossip is like a boomerang—it often returns to the one who threw it.”
- “The real challenge is to remain unaffected by gossip and stay true to your values.”
- “To be above gossip is to be above mediocrity.”
- “Idle gossip is the enemy of progress and unity.”
- “The quickest way to destroy your own character is to indulge in talking about others.”
Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes About Hope:
- “Hope is the anchor that keeps us steady in the storm of uncertainty.”
- “The very existence of hope is a reminder that we can overcome even the darkest of times.”
- “Hope is the thread that binds our dreams to reality.”
- “It is through hope that we find the strength to keep moving forward.”
- “Hope is the light that guides us when all other lights have dimmed.”
- “With hope in your heart, no challenge is insurmountable.”
- “The future is filled with possibilities for those who dare to hope.”
- “Hope may not change the present, but it gives us the courage to shape the future.”
- Never underestimate the power of hope to transform a person’s spirit.
- “Where hope exists, there is always the chance for something better.”
Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes About Justice:
- “Justice cannot be for one side alone, but must be for both.”
- “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their own dreams, and the pursuit of justice is a part of that beauty.”
- “Justice is not just a matter of laws, but of fairness and equality for all.”
- “It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do yourself.”
- “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.”
- “Justice is the constant and unending pursuit of what is right and fair.”
- “True justice is found not in the courtroom but in the hearts of people who seek to do what is right.”
- “The strength of a nation lies in the justice it provides to its weakest members.”
- “Justice is the foundation of freedom and democracy.”
- “To seek justice is to recognize the dignity and worth of every individual.”
Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes About Live For The Day:
- “The purpose of life is not to be happy, but to be useful, honorable, and compassionate.”
- “Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift.”
- “It is not more time we need, but a clearer vision of how to make the most of each day.”
- “Today is a gift; that’s why it’s called the present.”
- “The best way to predict the future is to create it by living fully in the present.”
- “Live in the moment, and make each day count towards something meaningful.”
- “Every day is a new beginning; take a deep breath, smile, and start again.”
- “Make the most of today, for tomorrow is not guaranteed.”
- “Cherish every day as an opportunity to create joy and make a difference.”
- “Focus on today’s possibilities, for yesterday is gone and tomorrow is not promised.”
Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes About Mistakes:
- “Learn from the mistakes of others. You can’t live long enough to make them all yourself.”
- “The only mistake you can make is not learning from your mistakes.”
- “Mistakes are proof that you are trying and growing.”
- “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
- “Every failure is a step closer to success if you learn from it.”
- “Mistakes are the portals of discovery and progress.”
- “The key to overcoming mistakes is to face them honestly and resolve to do better.”
- “It is better to make mistakes than to be paralyzed by the fear of making them.”
- “Embrace your mistakes as opportunities for growth and self-improvement.”
- “The process of making mistakes and learning from them is essential to personal development.”
Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes About Peace/War:
- It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness, and it is better to work for peace than to dwell on conflict.
- “Peace is not merely the absence of war. It is a state of harmony and understanding.”
- “War is a method of dealing with differences that should be solved through diplomacy and dialogue.”
- “To create peace, we must first cultivate it within ourselves and then extend it to others.”
- “The only way to achieve lasting peace is through justice and mutual respect.”
- “Peace is the result of human actions and the willingness to resolve disputes without violence.”
- “War cannot be avoided; it must be faced and resolved with courage and resolve.”
- “True peace comes from understanding and cooperation, not from the absence of conflict.”
- “We must build bridges of understanding if we are to overcome the barriers of war.”
- “The cost of war is always higher than the cost of peace, but it is through the pursuit of peace that we find true security.”
Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes About Relationships:
- “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
- “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face and work through it.”
- “Love can often be misguided and do as much harm as good, but respect can do only good.”
- “It is not fair to ask of others what you are unwilling to do yourself.”
- “What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say.”
- “In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.”
- A good leader inspires others to have confidence in the leader; a great leader inspires others to have confidence in themselves.
- “You must learn to be still in the midst of activity and to be vibrantly alive in repose.”
- “Friendship with oneself is all-important, because without it one cannot build true friendship with anyone else.”
- “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams and their ability to build meaningful relationships.”
Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes About Democracy:
- “Democracy is not just the right to vote; it is the right to live in dignity and freedom.”
- “In a democracy, the highest office is the office of citizen.”
- “The future of democracy depends on the active participation of its citizens.”
- “Democracy is a way of life, and it requires active and engaged participation from all its members.”
- “The success of democracy is determined by the quality of its people and their commitment to fairness and justice.”
- “A democracy is a government of the people, by the people, for the people. It thrives on inclusion and equality.”
- “The true measure of democracy is the extent to which it ensures the rights and opportunities of all individuals.”
- “Democracy can only flourish when there is a commitment to human rights and the rule of law.”
- In every democratic society, the power rests in the hands of the people and their willingness to uphold the principles of justice and equality.
- “Democracy is strengthened by the active participation and responsible citizenship of all individuals.”
Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes About Women:
- “A woman is like a tea bag—you never know how strong she is until you put her in hot water.”
- “You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.”
- “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
- “The purpose of life is not to be happy; it is to be useful, honorable, and compassionate.”
- “When a woman fails, it is much more serious than when a man fails, because the average person attributes that failure not to the individual, but to the fact that she is a woman.”
- “It is the person and not the sex which counts.”
- “The best thing to do is to be grateful for what you have and work towards what you want.”
- “Women are like tea bags. They do not know how strong they are until they are put to the test.”
- “Women have one advantage over men. Throughout history they have been forced to make adjustments.”
- “A woman who is fearless is unstoppable.”
Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes About Human Rights:
- “The basic human rights are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and they should be safeguarded for everyone.”
- “Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home.”
- “Human rights are not a privilege granted by the few, but a right held by everyone.”
- “To live with dignity and equality is the fundamental right of every human being.
- “The strength of a nation lies in its respect for human rights and the dignity of all its people.”
- “The rights of every person are diminished when the rights of one person are threatened.”
- “Human rights are the cornerstone of a just society, and they must be protected and upheld at all times.”
- “The fight for human rights is the fight for the freedom and dignity of every individual.”
- “Every human being deserves to be treated with respect and to have their rights recognized and protected.”
- “The true measure of a society’s progress is how it treats its most vulnerable members.”
Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes About Politics:
- The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams and the ability to effect political change.”
- “In politics, we must be guided by principles, not by personal gain or prejudice.”
- “The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much, but whether we provide enough for those who have too little.”
- Political leaders should inspire and lead with integrity and empathy, not merely seek power.
- “The most important thing in politics is to remain true to your values and work tirelessly for the common good.”
- “Politics is not about seeking popularity but about making decisions that improve the lives of people.”
- “The role of politics is to create an environment where every individual has the opportunity to achieve their full potential.”
- “A successful political leader must be both a visionary and a pragmatist, able to see beyond the immediate and work for long-term progress.”
- “Politics is a means to an end, and that end should always be justice and the betterment of society.”
- “In the realm of politics, courage and conviction are as important as diplomacy and strategy.”
Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes About Foreign Policy:
- “The only way to achieve lasting peace is through understanding and cooperation among nations.”
- “Foreign policy should be guided by the principles of justice, respect, and mutual benefit.”
- “Diplomacy is the art of building bridges where there were once walls.”
- “True international strength comes from fostering alliances built on trust and shared values.”
- “A strong foreign policy is one that promotes peace, security, and human rights for all nations.”
- “The essence of good foreign policy is not to impose our will but to engage in constructive dialogue.”
- “In dealing with other countries, our approach should be to seek common ground and mutual respect.”
- “The goal of foreign policy should be to create a world where every nation can thrive in peace.”
- “The best way to resolve international conflicts is through negotiation, not confrontation.”
- “Effective foreign policy is rooted in the belief that every nation has a role in creating a more just and peaceful world.”
Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes About Race/Racism/Tolerance:
- “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness of racism and intolerance.”
- “The only way to make progress is to face the issues of race and discrimination with honesty and courage.”
- “Racism is a challenge that requires us to be vigilant in our quest for equality and justice for all.”
- “Tolerance is the foundation of a just society; without it, we cannot build a future of peace and equality.”
- “We must strive to understand and embrace our differences if we are to overcome the barriers of prejudice.”
- “Human rights are universal, and racism undermines the dignity and worth of every individual.”
- “The struggle against racism is not just for those who are oppressed but for the betterment of all humanity.”
- “True tolerance means acknowledging and respecting the diverse experiences and perspectives of others.”
- “The measure of our humanity is how we treat those who are different from ourselves.”
- “Equality and justice are not privileges to be earned but fundamental rights to be recognized and upheld.”
Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes About Religion:
- “The essence of religion is to bring people closer to each other and to a higher understanding of themselves.”
- “Religious tolerance is the cornerstone of a harmonious and inclusive society.”
- “Faith is not about believing in a particular doctrine but in the capacity for goodness within every person.”
- “True religion is not confined to any one faith but is reflected in the kindness and compassion we show to others.”
- “Religion should inspire us to be better people and to work towards a more just and loving world.”
- “What we believe in our hearts should lead us to act with integrity and compassion in all aspects of our lives.”
- “The strength of our convictions should be reflected in our actions toward others, regardless of their beliefs.”
- “Religious diversity enriches our world and challenges us to broaden our understanding and empathy.”
- “In times of difficulty, religion can provide solace and strength, reminding us of our shared humanity.”
- “The true measure of religious faith is how it influences our actions towards others and our commitment to justice.”
Inspiring Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes:
- “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
- “Remember always that you have not only the right to be an individual; you have an obligation to be one. You cannot make any useful contribution in life unless you do this.”
- “The UN is our greatest hope for future peace. Alone we cannot keep the peace of the world, but in cooperation with others we have to achieve this much longed-for security.”
- “Our own land and our own flag cannot be replaced by any other land or any other flag. But you can join with other nations, under a joint flag, to accomplish something good for the world that you cannot accomplish alone.”
- “It isn’t enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn’t enough to believe in it. One must work at it.”
- “Surely, in the light of history, it is more intelligent to hope rather than to fear, to try rather than not to try. For one thing we know beyond all doubt: Nothing has ever been achieved by the person who says, ‘It can’t be done.’”
- “The important thing is neither your nationality nor the religion you professed, but how your faith translated itself in your life.”
- “Courage is more exhilarating than fear and in the long run it is easier. We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just one step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it is not as dreadful as it appeared, discovering we have the strength to stare it down.”
- “The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
- “The world of the future is in our making. Tomorrow is now.”
Conclusion:
Eleanor Roosevelt’s quotes continue to inspire and uplift us, reminding us to face our fears, believe in ourselves, and strive for a better future. By embracing her words, we can find the strength and motivation to overcome obstacles and live our best lives. Let these Eleanor Roosevelt quotes guide you toward a more courageous and fulfilling journey.
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