Authors: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

100 Motivational Quotes By Eleanor Roosevelt, The Woman Of Substance

Famous As: Longest-Serving First Lady of The United States
Born On: October 11, 1884
Died On: November 7, 1962
Born In: New York City, New York, United States
Died At Age: 78
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was a former American First Lady, diplomat, politician and activist, who is often regarded as one of the most influential first ladies in the history of the United States. She was married to President Franklin D. Roosevelt and remained as the First Lady of the country for 12 years, during which she emerged as a political leader in her own right. Roosevelt’s husband Franklin was often not able to make public appearances after having suffered from Polio but she made appearances in his place and became the second voice of the President. ‘First Lady of the World’ was what she was called by President Harry Truman. She had served in several roles in the United Nations, including the ‘1st Chair of the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women’ and ‘Representative to the United Nations Commission on Human Rights’, which made her an influential voice on a global platform. She was an activist as well as a feminist, at a time when it was something that was almost unheard of. Needless to say, Roosevelt was a woman who was way ahead of her time. Here are some of the most famous quotes and thoughts by Eleanor Roosevelt that will inspire and motivate you throughout your journey of life.
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.

Eleanor Roosevelt
A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong it is until it's in hot water.

A woman is like a tea bag; you never know how strong it is until it's in hot water.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Do one thing every day that scares you.

Do one thing every day that scares you.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway.

Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway.

Eleanor Roosevelt
You wouldn't worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.

You wouldn't worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.

Eleanor Roosevelt
The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.

Eleanor Roosevelt
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.

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
Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart

Eleanor Roosevelt
No matter how plain a woman may be, if truth and honesty are written across her face, she will be beautiful.

No matter how plain a woman may be, if truth and honesty are written across her face, she will be beautiful.

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

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

Eleanor Roosevelt
To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.

To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.

Eleanor Roosevelt
You can often change your circumstances by changing your attitude

You can often change your circumstances by changing your attitude

Eleanor Roosevelt
Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.

Beautiful young people are accidents of nature, but beautiful old people are works of art.

Eleanor Roosevelt
If someone betrays you once, it’s their fault; if they betray you twice, it’s your fault.

If someone betrays you once, it’s their fault; if they betray you twice, it’s your fault.

Eleanor Roosevelt
The reason that fiction is more interesting than any other form of literature, to those who really like to study people, is that in fiction the author can really tell the truth without humiliating himself.

The reason that fiction is more interesting than any other form of literature, to those who really like to study people, is that in fiction the author can really tell the truth without humiliating himself.

Eleanor Roosevelt
With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.

With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Life was meant to be lived, and curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.

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
Life is what you make it. Always has been, always will be.

Life is what you make it. Always has been, always will be.

Eleanor Roosevelt
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.

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

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

Eleanor Roosevelt
Happiness is not a goal...it's a by-product of a life well lived.

Happiness is not a goal...it's a by-product of a life well lived.

Eleanor Roosevelt
What could we accomplish if we knew we could not fail?

What could we accomplish if we knew we could not fail?

Eleanor Roosevelt
You have to accept whatever comes, and the only important thing is that you meet it with the best you have to give.

You have to accept whatever comes, and the only important thing is that you meet it with the best you have to give.

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.

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
Once I had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue:

Once I had a rose named after me and I was very flattered. But I was not pleased to read the description in the catalogue: "No good in a bed, but fine up against a wall.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Never allow a person to tell you no who doesn't have the power to say 
yes.

Never allow a person to tell you no who doesn't have the power to say yes.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Friendship with oneself is all important, because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world.

Friendship with oneself is all important, because without it one cannot be friends with anyone else in the world.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life.

Never mistake knowledge for wisdom. One helps you make a living; the other helps you make a life.

Eleanor Roosevelt
No one won the last war, and no one will win the next war.

No one won the last war, and no one will win the next war.

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

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

Eleanor Roosevelt
I think, at a child's birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift would be curiosity.

I think, at a child's birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift would be curiosity.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Work is always an antidote to depression.

Work is always an antidote to depression.

Eleanor Roosevelt
One thing life has taught me: if you are interested, you never have to look for new interests. They come to you. When you are genuinely interested in one thing, it will always lead to something else.

One thing life has taught me: if you are interested, you never have to look for new interests. They come to you. When you are genuinely interested in one thing, it will always lead to something else.

Eleanor Roosevelt
I believe that anyone can conquer fear by doing the things he fears to do ...

I believe that anyone can conquer fear by doing the things he fears to do ...

Eleanor Roosevelt
I think that somehow, we learn who we really are and then live with that decision.

I think that somehow, we learn who we really are and then live with that decision.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Remember always that you have not only the right to be an individual; you have an obligation to be one. You cannot make any useful contribution in life unless you do this.

Remember always that you have not only the right to be an individual; you have an obligation to be one. You cannot make any useful contribution in life unless you do this.

Eleanor Roosevelt
People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built.

People grow through experience if they meet life honestly and courageously. This is how character is built.

Eleanor Roosevelt
It's your life-but only if you make it so.

It's your life-but only if you make it so.

Eleanor Roosevelt
A stumbling block to the pessimist is a stepping-stone to the optimist.

A stumbling block to the pessimist is a stepping-stone to the optimist.

Eleanor Roosevelt
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.

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
Light a candle instead of cursing the darkness.

Light a candle instead of cursing the darkness.

Eleanor Roosevelt
When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die.

When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Courage is exhilarating.

Courage is exhilarating.

Eleanor Roosevelt
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.

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.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Lest I keep my complacent way I must remember somewhere out there a person died for me today. As long as there must be war, I ask and I must answer was I worth dying for?

Lest I keep my complacent way I must remember somewhere out there a person died for me today. As long as there must be war, I ask and I must answer was I worth dying for?

Eleanor Roosevelt
There is not human being from whom we cannot learn something if we are interested enough to dig deep.

There is not human being from whom we cannot learn something if we are interested enough to dig deep.

Eleanor Roosevelt
All of life is a constant education.

All of life is a constant education.

Eleanor Roosevelt
It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.

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

Eleanor Roosevelt
We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it as not as dreadful as it appears, discovering that we have the strength to stare it down.

We do not have to become heroes overnight. Just a step at a time, meeting each thing that comes up, seeing it as not as dreadful as it appears, discovering that we have the strength to stare it down.

Eleanor Roosevelt
The giving of love is an education in itself.

The giving of love is an education in itself.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.

Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.

Eleanor Roosevelt
As for accomplishments, I just did what I had to do as things came along.

As for accomplishments, I just did what I had to do as things came along.

Eleanor Roosevelt
It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.

It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.

Eleanor Roosevelt
I have never felt that anything really mattered but knowing that you stood for the things in which you believed and had done the very best you could.

I have never felt that anything really mattered but knowing that you stood for the things in which you believed and had done the very best you could.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Don't call a woman a bitch. Call her an ass-hole. It still gets your point across and it's not sexist.

Don't call a woman a bitch. Call her an ass-hole. It still gets your point across and it's not sexist.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Pit race against race, religion against religion, prejudice against prejudice. Divide and conquer! We must not let that happen here.

Pit race against race, religion against religion, prejudice against prejudice. Divide and conquer! We must not let that happen here.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Today is the oldest you've ever been, and the youngest you'll ever be again.

Today is the oldest you've ever been, and the youngest you'll ever be again.

Eleanor Roosevelt
You can never really live anyone else's life, not even your child's. The influence you exert is through your own life, and what you've become yourself.

You can never really live anyone else's life, not even your child's. The influence you exert is through your own life, and what you've become yourself.

Eleanor Roosevelt
I am who I am today because of the choices I made yesterday.

I am who I am today because of the choices I made yesterday.

Eleanor Roosevelt
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.

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.

Eleanor Roosevelt
The only things one can admire at length are those one admires without knowing why.

The only things one can admire at length are those one admires without knowing why.

Eleanor Roosevelt
You should always own a black dress because no one ever remembers a black dress.

You should always own a black dress because no one ever remembers a black dress.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual you have an obligation to be one.

Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual you have an obligation to be one.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Character building begins in our infancy and continues until death.

Character building begins in our infancy and continues until death.

Eleanor Roosevelt
There are no have-to's, just choices

There are no have-to's, just choices

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.

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
I could not at any age be content to take my place in a corner by the fireside and simply look on.

I could not at any age be content to take my place in a corner by the fireside and simply look on.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Will people ever be wise enough to refuse to follow bad leaders or to take away the freedom of other people?

Will people ever be wise enough to refuse to follow bad leaders or to take away the freedom of other people?

Eleanor Roosevelt
You must do the thing you think you cannot do.

You must do the thing you think you cannot do.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Be confident, not certain

Be confident, not certain

Eleanor Roosevelt
Never be bored, and you will never be boring.

Never be bored, and you will never be boring.

Eleanor Roosevelt
I am convinced that every effort must be made in childhood to teach the young to use their own minds. For one thing is sure: If they don't make up their minds, someone will do it for them.

I am convinced that every effort must be made in childhood to teach the young to use their own minds. For one thing is sure: If they don't make up their minds, someone will do it for them.

Eleanor Roosevelt
He who learns but does not think is lost. He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.

He who learns but does not think is lost. He who thinks but does not learn is in great danger.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

Eleanor Roosevelt
I could never be content to take my place by the fireside and simply look on. Life was meant to be lived, and curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.

I could never be content to take my place by the fireside and simply look on. 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
What you don't do can be a destructive force.

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

Eleanor Roosevelt
Anyone who thinks must think of the next war as they would of suicide.

Anyone who thinks must think of the next war as they would of suicide.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Love can often be misguided and do as much harm as good, but respect can do only good. It assumes that the other person's stature is as large as one's own, his rights as reasonable, his needs as important.

Love can often be misguided and do as much harm as good, but respect can do only good. It assumes that the other person's stature is as large as one's own, his rights as reasonable, his needs as important.

Eleanor Roosevelt
It is a brave thing to have courage to be an individual; it is also, perhaps, a lonely thing. But it is better than not being an individual, which is to be nobody at all.

It is a brave thing to have courage to be an individual; it is also, perhaps, a lonely thing. But it is better than not being an individual, which is to be nobody at all.

Eleanor Roosevelt
We have reached a point today where labor-saving devices are good only when they do not throw the worker out of his job.

We have reached a point today where labor-saving devices are good only when they do not throw the worker out of his job.

Eleanor Roosevelt
There is nothing to fear except fear it's self.

There is nothing to fear except fear it's self.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Understanding is a two-way street.

Understanding is a two-way street.

Eleanor Roosevelt
If anyone were to ask me what I want out of life I would say- the opportunity for doing something useful, for in no other way, I am convinced, can true happiness be attained.

If anyone were to ask me what I want out of life I would say- the opportunity for doing something useful, for in no other way, I am convinced, can true happiness be attained.

Eleanor Roosevelt
When you adopt the standards and the values of someone else … you surrender your own integrity. You become, to the extent of your surrender, less of a human being.

When you adopt the standards and the values of someone else … you surrender your own integrity. You become, to the extent of your surrender, less of a human being.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Every woman wants to be first to someone sometime in her life and that desire is the explanation for many strange things women do.

Every woman wants to be first to someone sometime in her life and that desire is the explanation for many strange things women do.

Eleanor Roosevelt
If man is to be liberated to enjoy more leisure, he must also be prepared to enjoy this leisure fully and creatively.

If man is to be liberated to enjoy more leisure, he must also be prepared to enjoy this leisure fully and creatively.

Eleanor Roosevelt
If you lose money you lose much,
If you lose friends you lose more,
If you lose faith you lose all.

If you lose money you lose much, If you lose friends you lose more, If you lose faith you lose all.

Eleanor Roosevelt
When you know to laugh and when to look upon things as too absurd to take seriously, the other person is ashamed to carry through even if he was serious about it.

When you know to laugh and when to look upon things as too absurd to take seriously, the other person is ashamed to carry through even if he was serious about it.

Eleanor Roosevelt
THE GREATEST GIVE YOU CAN GIVE A CHILD IS AN IMAGINATION

THE GREATEST GIVE YOU CAN GIVE A CHILD IS AN IMAGINATION

Eleanor Roosevelt
To be a citizen in a democracy, a human being must be given a healthy start.

To be a citizen in a democracy, a human being must be given a healthy start.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Each time you learn something new you must readjust the whole framework of your knowledge

Each time you learn something new you must readjust the whole framework of your knowledge

Eleanor Roosevelt
No one can make you feel inferior without your permission.

No one can make you feel inferior without your permission.

Eleanor Roosevelt
I know that we will be the sufferers if we let great wrongs occur without exerting ourselves to correct them.

I know that we will be the sufferers if we let great wrongs occur without exerting ourselves to correct them.

Eleanor Roosevelt
Only a man's character is the real criterion of worth.

Only a man's character is the real criterion of worth.

Eleanor Roosevelt
I could not, at any age, be content to take my place by the fireside and simply look on. Life was meant to be lived.

I could not, at any age, be content to take my place by the fireside and simply look on. Life was meant to be lived.

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.

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

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

Eleanor Roosevelt
I think I have a good deal of my Uncle Theodore in me, because I could not, at any age, be content to take my place by the fireside and simply look on.

I think I have a good deal of my Uncle Theodore in me, because I could not, at any age, be content to take my place by the fireside and simply look on.

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.

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
Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.

Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.

Eleanor Roosevelt