Eleanor Roosevelt Quotes

“Where, after all, do universal human rights begin? In small places, close to home, so close and so small that they cannot be seen on any maps of the world.”

“Without concerted citizen action to uphold them close to home, we shall look in vain for progress in the larger world.”

“It is today that we must create the world of the future.”

“I could not, at any age, be content to take my place by the fireside and simply look on.”

“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.”

“I cannot believe that war is the best solution. No one won the last war, and no one will win the next war.”

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

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

“When will our consciences grow so tender that we will act to prevent human misery rather than avenge it?”

“Freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility.”

“It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do yourself.”

“What you don't do can be a destructive force.”

“It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.”

“If life were predictable it would cease to be life, and be without flavour.”

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

“Perhaps nature is our best assurance of immortality.”

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

“Have convictions. Be friendly. Stick to your beliefs as they stick to theirs. Work as hard as they do.”

“Too often the great decisions are originated and given form in bodies made up wholly of men, so that whatever of special value women have to offer is shunted aside without expression.”

“Sometimes I wonder if we shall ever grow up in our politics and say definite things which mean something, or whether we shall always go on using generalities to which everyone can subscribe, and which mean very little.”

“Anyone who knows history will recognise that the domination of education or of government by any one particular religious faith is never a happy arrangement for the people.”

“I have spent many years of my life in opposition, and I rather like the role.”

“I'm so glad I never feel important; it does complicate life!”

“Campaign behaviour 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.”

“The only advantage of not being too good a housekeeper is that your guests are so pleased to feel how very much better they are.”