I have an unshaken conviction that democracy can never be undermined if we maintain our library resources and a national intelligence capable of utilizing them. Franklin D. Roosevelt More Quotes by Franklin D. Roosevelt More Quotes From Franklin D. Roosevelt One reason--perhaps the chief--of the virility of the Roosevelts is [their] very democratic spirit. They have never felt that because they were born in a good position they could put their hands in their pockets and succeed. They have felt, rather, that being born in a good position, there is no excuse for them if they did not do their duty by the community. Franklin D. Roosevelt society community hands The future lies with those wise political leaders who realize that the great public is interested more in government than in politics. Franklin D. Roosevelt government wise lying I regard reduction in Federal spending as one of the most important issues in this campaign. In my opinion it is the most direct and effective contribution that Government can make to business. Franklin D. Roosevelt issues government important But the challenge is always the same - whether each generation facing its own circumstances can summon the practical devotion to attain and retain that greatest good for the greatest number which this government of the people was created to ensure. Franklin D. Roosevelt government numbers people The creed of our democracy is that liberty is acquired and kept by men and women who are strong and self-reliant, and possessed of such wisdom as God gives mankind - men and women who are just, and understanding, and generous to others - men and women who are capable of disciplining themselves. For they are the rulers and they must rule themselves. Franklin D. Roosevelt strong self men We know that there are chiselers. At the bottom of every case of criticism and obstruction we have found some selfish interest, some private axe to grind. Franklin D. Roosevelt grind selfish criticism There can be little doubt that in many ways the story of bridge building is the story of civilisation. By it we can readily measure an important part of a people's progress. Franklin D. Roosevelt bridges doubt people The traditional Jeffersonian principle of religious freedom was so broadly democratic that it included the right to have no religion at all - it gave to the individual the right to worship any God he chose or no god. Franklin D. Roosevelt church principles religious The essential qualities of a true Pan Americanism must be the same as those which constitute a good neighbor; namely, mutual understanding, and through such understanding, a sympathetic appeciation of the other's point of view. It is only in this manner that we can hope to build up a system of which confidence, friendship, and good will are the cornerstones. Franklin D. Roosevelt quality understanding views In this nation I see tens of millions of its citizens, a substantial part of its whole population, who at this very moment are denied the greater part of what the very lowest standards of today call the necessities of life. I see one third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished. 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 too little. Franklin D. Roosevelt population progress government A nation, like a person, has a mind - a mind that must be kept informed and alert, that must know itself, that understands the hopes and needs of its neighbors - all the other nations that live within the narrowing circle of the world Franklin D. Roosevelt circles mind needs The constant free flow of communication amount us-enabling the free interchange of ideas-forms the very bloodstream of our nation. It keeps the mind and body of our democracy eternally vital, eternally young. Franklin D. Roosevelt communication mind ideas A point has been reached where the peoples of the Americas must take cognizance of growing ill-will, of marked trends toward aggression, of increasing armaments, of shortening tempers--a situation which has in it many of the elements that lead to the tragedy of general war.... Peace is threatened by those who seek selfish power. Franklin D. Roosevelt ill-will selfish war Since becoming President, I have come to know that the finest of Americans we have abroad today are the missionaries of the cross. I am humiliated that I am not finding this out until this late day the worth of foreign missions and the nobility of the missionaries. Franklin D. Roosevelt becoming president today No man can tame a tiger into a kitten by stroking it. Franklin D. Roosevelt pearl-harbor-day kitten men A world turned into a stereotype, a society converted into a regiment, a life translated into a routine, make it difficult for either art or artists to survive. Crush individuality in society and you crush art as well. Nourish the conditions of a free life and you nourish the arts, too. Franklin D. Roosevelt crush individuality art Every man has a right to life, and this means that he has also a right to make a comfortable living. Franklin D. Roosevelt men life mean Happiness is not merely money, which is fun for effort and achievement Franklin D. Roosevelt effort achievement fun It has always seemed to me that the best symbol of common sense was a bridge. Franklin D. Roosevelt common-sense bridges common The frontier of America is on the Rhine. Franklin D. Roosevelt frontiers america
