35 Most Famous Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes
“Eleanor Roosevelt speaking” by “FDR Presidential Library & Museum“, licensed under CC BY 2.0
The U.S. First Lady Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, or Eleanor Roosevelt as she was formally known by the rest of the world, was far more than just the wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. She was an outspoken figure, a humanitarian, an activist, a philanthropist, a politician, a mother of six, and she also helped draft the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Roosevelt was also the first First Lady to hold an official White House press conference with an all-women press corps and wrote her newspaper columns. As Franklin D. Roosevelt served four terms in the office, making her the longest-serving First lady of the U.S.
During World War 2, she volunteered with the American Red Cross and in Navy hospitals. Roosevelt actively spoke out in favour of women’s rights, children issues, education and combating racial discrimination. She was a household name, and her work speaks of her greatness. She is remembered as one of America’s most influential women leaders.
Here are the 35 most inspiring and famous Eleanor Roosevelt quotes to live by!
Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes on Life
Roosevelt has her own set of rules and disciplines by which she led her life. She was wise, thoughtful, a dreamer and a doer who believed in living her life on her own terms. Let us check out some of her quotes on life to understand her philosophies better!
“Life was meant to be lived, and curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
“To be mature you have to realize what you value most… Not to arrive at a clear understanding of one’s own values is a tragic waste. You have missed the whole point of what life is for.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
“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.”
Eleanor Roosevelt (1960) in “You Learn by Living”, p.12, Westminster John Knox Press
“Do not stop thinking of life as an adventure. You have no security unless you can live bravely, excitingly, imaginatively; unless you can choose a challenge instead of competence.”
Eleanor Roosevelt in her “Autobiography”(1961).
“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 (1960) in “You Learn by Living”, p.12, Westminster John Knox Press
“Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
Inspirational Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes
Eleanor Roosevelt never confined herself to just household duties, but she actively participated in several social campaigns. She also served as the first chair of the UN Commission on Human Rights. She was an inspiration to many! Let us check out these inspirational quotes by Eleanor Roosevelt!
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
Eleanor Roosevelt Quoted in Vidette-Messenger (Valparaiso, Ind.), 7 June 1941
“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.”
Eleanor Roosevelt in Voice of America broadcast, November 11, 1951.
“Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness you are able to give.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
“You wouldn’t worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
“The giving of love and understanding is an education in itself.”
Eleanor Roosevelt in “Your Teens and Mine”
“Never allow a person to tell you no who doesn’t have the power to say yes.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
“Since everybody is an individual, nobody can be you. You are unique. No one can tell you how to use your time. It is yours. Your life is your own. You mold it. You make it.”
Eleanor Roosevelt (1960) in “You Learn by Living”, p.12, Westminster John Knox Press
“Today is the oldest you’ve ever been, and the youngest you’ll ever be again.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
“Never be bored, and you will never be boring.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes on Friendship
She always believed in maintaining friendships and strengthening the bonds with loved ones. Let us have a look at some of the friendship quotes by Eleanor Roosevelt!
“Friendship with one’s self is all-important because, without it, one can not be friends with anyone else in the world.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
“We are afraid to care too much, for fear that the other person does not care at all.”
Eleanor Roosevelt (1962). “Book of common sense etiquette”
“If someone betrays you once, it’s their fault; if they betray you twice, it’s your fault.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
“In all our contacts it is probably the sense of being really needed and wanted which gives us the greatest satisfaction and creates the most lasting bond.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes on Success
As successful as she was, she was full of wisdom and compassion. Here are some of her words of wisdom on success in the form of quotes, checkout!
“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
Eleanor Roosevelt (1960) in “You Learn by Living”, p.12, Westminster John Knox Press
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
Eleanor Roosevelt Quoted in Providence Journal-Bulletin, 8 June 1994
“What could we accomplish if we knew we could not fail?”
Eleanor Roosevelt
“Do the things that interest you and do them with all your heart. Don’t be concerned about whether people are watching you or criticizing you. The chances are, that they aren’t paying attention to you.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
“Success must include two things: the development of an individual to his utmost potentiality and a contribution of some kind to one’s world.”
Eleanor Roosevelt (1960) in “You Learn by Living”, p.12, Westminster John Knox Press
“Your ambition should be to get as much life out of living as you possibly can, as much enjoyment, as much interest, as much experience, as much understanding. Not simply be what is generally called a ‘success.”
Eleanor Roosevelt (1960) in “You Learn by Living”, p.12, Westminster John Knox Press
“It is not more vacation we need – it is more vocation.”
Eleanor Roosevelt in “Tomorrow Is Now: It Is Today That We Must Create the World of the Future”
“Do one thing every day that scares you.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
These quotes are as influential as Eleanor Roosevelt. One can easily understand her mindfulness, wisdom, strength and knowledge on vast subjects. It was truly amazing to get to know someone as strong-headed as her.
I hope you liked these quotes, you can also check out these 36 Amazing Michelle Obama Quotes On Life and Success To Inspire Women!
