Plenty of famous quotes are known for having Eleanor Roosevelt’s trademark on them, and they have made their way into our collective consciousness. But Eleanor Roosevelt was so much more than a great speaker. Sure, she was trusted with giving speeches and appearing at campaign events in her husband’s place after he was diagnosed with a paralytic illness. Still, it’s her work as an activist for civil and human rights that contributed to her reshaping the role of a First Lady.
It’s no secret that Eleanor Roosevelt was a woman ahead of her time. Born into a wealthy family and married to one of the most prominent politicians in the United States, she was undoubtedly set up for success. But she chose to devote her privileged position to public service, becoming an activist and advocate for women’s emancipation, racial equality, and civil rights.
She already had tremendous influence during FDR’s presidency, but that influence didn’t stop when she left the White House. In fact, it was only heightened by her willingness to speak out about widespread intolerance — and she did so with passion and conviction. She was the first to recognize that the New Deal programs discriminated against African Americans, who got a disproportionate share of relief money.
Clearly, she wasn’t immune to hate. Eleanor Roosevelt often disagreed with her husband’s decisions when she thought they could harm minorities and was vocal in publicly defending Japanese Americans after the widespread anti-Asian hysteria following the attack on Pearl Harbor.
She was a force to be reckoned with, and her legacy lives on today in the hearts of many. The least we can do to celebrate such a prominent figure is to spread the inspiring words from her speeches, public appearances, and books. We put together our favorite Eleanor Roosevelt quotes that inspired the world with her wit, intelligence, and compassion.
#1
“No one won the last war, and no one will win the next war.”
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#2
“Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.”
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#3
“Do one thing every day that scares you.”
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#4
“Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.”
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#5
“If someone betrays you once, it's their fault; if they betray you twice, it's your fault.”
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#6
“He who learns but does not think is lost. He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.”
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#7
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
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#8
“Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.”
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#9
“Never allow a person to tell you 'no' who doesn’t have the power to say yes.”
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#10
“It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do yourself.”
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#11
“Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.”
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#12
“Today is the oldest you've ever been, and the youngest you'll ever be again.”
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#13
“We have to face the fact that either all of us are going to die together or we are going to learn to live together, and if we are to live together we have to talk.”
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#14
“There is nothing to fear except fear itself.”
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#15
“Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway.”
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#16
“Nothing has ever been achieved by the person who says, ‘It can’t be done.’”
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#17
“Friendship with one’s self is all-important because, without it, one can not be friends with anyone else in the world.”
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#18
“There is no human being from whom we cannot learn something if we are interested enough to dig deep.”
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#19
“You always admire what you really don't understand.”
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#20
“What you don't do can be a destructive force.”
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