Born Quote by 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…” quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f7c/franklin-d-roosevelt-488_born_one-reason-perhaps-the-chief-of-the-viri_298705.jpg)
“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.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Remarks at the Democratic National Convention, 1936
The Roosevelt family's strength came from a deep democratic ethic that demanded responsibility to society rather than entitlement by privilege.
In simple terms: They believed privilege requires duty to community.
Key Takeaway
Act responsibly, not selfishly.
Themes
responsibility
democracy
privilege
service
Mood
reflective
inspirational
Type
political
ethical
When to use this quote
- political leadership
- public service
- community projects
- charitable work
Key Concepts
social contract
civic duty
ethical leadership
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you balance personal success with community obligations?
- What structures encourage privileged people to serve?
A Different Perspective
Assumes all privileged individuals share this ethic, which may not hold true.
