In 2024, the United States faces mounting threats to democracy, sweeping restrictions on reproductive rights, and escalating discrimination against marginalized groups.
With the World Report stating abortion access being banned or severely restricted in 22 states—impacting 22 million women and girls—human rights are at a crossroads. Eleanor Roosevelt’s groundbreaking work as a champion for justice and equality is more relevant than ever.
Her words offer more than inspiration—they are a call to action. Here are 15 of her most powerful quotes, guiding us to face today’s challenges with courage, determination, and hope.
1. Face Your Fears
“You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.”
Confront fears head-on. Roosevelt suggests that each time we face a challenge, we grow stronger and more resilient. By acknowledging our fears and pushing through them, we build a reservoir of courage that we can draw upon in future difficult situations.
This process of facing fears and overcoming them is how we develop true confidence in our abilities.
2. Embrace Daily Challenges
“Do one thing every day that scares you.”
Roosevelt encourages us to step out of our comfort zones regularly. By tackling small fears daily, we gradually expand our capabilities and build confidence.
This approach helps us become more adaptable and resilient in the face of larger challenges. It’s about making courage a habit, not just a one-time act of bravery.
3. Follow Your Heart
“Do what you feel in your heart to be right – for you’ll be criticized anyway.”
Stay true to your values and convictions. Roosevelt acknowledges that criticism is inevitable, regardless of our choices.
By following our hearts, we maintain our integrity and build self-confidence. It’s about having the courage to stand by our beliefs, even in the face of opposition.
4. Believe in Your Dreams
“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”
Roosevelt emphasizes the power of belief in shaping our future. This quote inspires confidence in our aspirations and encourages us to pursue them wholeheartedly.
It suggests that our dreams have inherent value and that believing in them is the first step toward making them a reality.
5. Maintain Your Individuality
“Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one.”
Celebrate individuality and embrace your unique qualities. Roosevelt suggests that being true to ourselves is not just a privilege but a responsibility.
It takes courage to stand out and be different, but doing so contributes to the richness and diversity of society.
6. Embrace Life’s Experiences
“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.”
Roosevelt encourages us to live life fully and embrace new experiences. This quote inspires courage by urging us to approach life with enthusiasm and openness, rather than fear.
It suggests that a life well-lived is one filled with diverse experiences and constant growth.
7. Take Action
“It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.”
Positive action is more important than complaining about problems. Roosevelt encourages us to be proactive in addressing challenges, suggesting that even small actions can make a difference.
It’s about having the courage to initiate change, no matter how small.
8. Persist through Challenges
“You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
Push beyond perceived limitations. This quote inspires courage by encouraging us to tackle tasks or goals that seem daunting or impossible.
It suggests that our capabilities often exceed our own expectations and that growth comes from challenging ourselves.
9. Value Your Self-Worth
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
This famous quote empowers us to take control of our self-esteem. Roosevelt reminds us that our worth is not determined by others’ opinions but by our own self-perception.
It takes courage to maintain a positive self-image in the face of criticism or negativity.
10. Embrace Continuous Learning
“I am who I am today because of the choices I made yesterday.”
Roosevelt highlights the connection between our past choices and our present selves. This quote encourages us to take responsibility for our decisions and learn from them.
It inspires confidence by reminding us that we have the power to shape our future through our current choices.
11. Cultivate Inner Strength
“With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts.”
Resilience and adaptability are important. Roosevelt suggests that each day brings fresh opportunities for growth and renewal.
It inspires courage by reminding us that we have the inner strength to face whatever challenges come our way.
12. Prioritize Action over Wishful Thinking
“It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.”
Channel your energy into productive planning rather than passive wishing. This quote inspires confidence by reminding us that we have the power to turn our desires into reality through thoughtful action and preparation.
13. Embrace Uncertainty
“Be confident, not certain.”
This insightful quote distinguishes between confidence and certainty. Roosevelt suggests that true confidence comes from being comfortable with uncertainty and willing to learn and adapt.
It takes courage to move forward without all the answers, trusting in our ability to handle whatever comes.
14. Persevere Through Adversity
“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.”
Courage and confidence are built gradually. This quote encourages us to face challenges one step at a time, recognizing that we often have more strength than we realize.
It’s about building resilience through consistent effort and perseverance.
15. Live Life to the Fullest
“Life was meant to be lived, and curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.”
Approach life with curiosity and enthusiasm. It takes courage to remain open and engaged with the world, especially in difficult times. This quote inspires confidence by reminding us of the inherent value and excitement of living fully.
Roosevelt’s legacy reminds us that true courage isn’t the absence of fear, but the determination to push forward despite it. Let these powerful words serve as a guiding light, encouraging us to embrace our potential and make a positive impact on the world around us.
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Nancy Maffia
Nancy received a bachelor’s in biology from Elmira College and a master’s degree in horticulture and communications from the University of Kentucky. Worked in plant taxonomy at the University of Florida and the L. H. Bailey Hortorium at Cornell University, and wrote and edited gardening books at Rodale Press in Emmaus, PA. Her interests are plant identification, gardening, hiking, and reading.
