Eleanor Roosevelt
(1884–1962) was an American political figure, diplomat, and activist who served as First Lady of the United States. She was a strong advocate for human rights, women’s empowerment, and social justice. Roosevelt played a key role in drafting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the United Nations. Her leadership extended beyond traditional roles, making her one of the most influential women of her time. Eleanor Roosevelt’s legacy continues to inspire leadership, compassion, and global advocacy.
12 quotes in this collection. Read them below, share your favourites, or follow the related links to explore similar voices.
All quotes by Eleanor Roosevelt
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“Do what you feel in your heart to be right—for you’ll be criticized anyway.”
Meaning: Eleanor Roosevelt emphasizes staying true to one’s values and beliefs. External opinions should not control personal decisions. Graduates should trust their judgment and follow their own path. -
“You must do the things you think you cannot do.”
Meaning: Eleanor Roosevelt encourages individuals to challenge their perceived limits. Growth happens when we step beyond what feels comfortable or possible. Facing such challenges builds confidence and resilience. -
“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.”
Meaning: Eleanor Roosevelt emphasizes that each day brings a fresh opportunity for growth and renewal. Past challenges do not define future potential. Starting each day with a positive mindset can lead to better outcomes. -
“Do one thing every day that scares you.”
Meaning: Eleanor Roosevelt encourages stepping outside comfort zones regularly. Growth happens when we challenge ourselves. Graduates can build confidence by facing fears consistently. -
“The purpose of life is to live it, to taste experience to the utmost.”
Meaning: A mother encourages living fully and embracing experiences. She inspires curiosity and joy in life. -
“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.”
Meaning: A mother teaches facing fears directly. Growth happens when challenges are confronted bravely. -
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
Meaning: Eleanor Roosevelt teaches that self-worth comes from within rather than external validation. Allowing others to define your value weakens confidence and limits growth. Strong self-belief helps maintain emotional independence. -
“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.”
Meaning: Roosevelt wrote this while reflecting on her long public life, stressing that circumstances do not fully decide who we become; our decisions do. Leadership starts with owning that. Pick one outcome you have been blaming on others and name a single action within your control to change it. -
“One's philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes.”
Meaning: In the foreword to her 1960 book, Roosevelt, the longtime First Lady and diplomat, said what people believe shows up in what they actually decide. Leaders are judged by behavior, not speeches. At the end of the week, review your calendar and spending and ask whether they match what you say matters. -
“Will people ever be wise enough to refuse to follow bad leaders or to take away the freedom of other people?”
Meaning: In her column of 16 October 1939, weeks after war began in Europe, Roosevelt asked whether ordinary people could learn to withhold support from harmful leaders. It puts responsibility on followers too. Ask whether the leaders and groups you back deserve it, and speak up when they do not. -
“I have never felt that anything really mattered but the satisfaction of knowing that you stood for the things in which you believed and had done the very best you could.”
Meaning: Roosevelt wrote this in her My Day newspaper column in November 1944, in the middle of the war years. She measured success by integrity and effort rather than applause. Before a hard decision, ask which choice you could still defend next year, then do your best at it. -
“For freedom makes a huge requirement of every human being. With freedom comes responsibility.”
Meaning: Roosevelt argued that freedom is demanding, because people must make their own decisions and live with them, and some prefer to hand that burden to others. Good leaders welcome responsibility and share it. At work or home, give someone real ownership of a decision, and stand behind them.