“The democratic aspiration is no mere recent phase in human history. It is human history.”

— Franklin D. Roosevelt, Third Inaugural Address (1941)

About Franklin D. Roosevelt

1882 – 1945

Thirty-second President of the United States, who led the country through the Great Depression and most of World War II.

“There is a mysterious cycle in human events. To some generations much is given. Of other generations much is expected.”

“Repetition does not transform a lie into a truth.”

“This is preeminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly.”

“He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”

“He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.”

Attribution note: Source disputed or unverified.

“The man who asks a question is a fool for a minute, the man who does not ask is a fool for life.”

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.”