“It isn’t sufficient just to want – you’ve got to ask yourself what you are going to do to get the things you want.”
- January 30, 1882 – April 12, 1945
- American
- Politician
- [Achievements]
- As president of the United States, he promoted economic recovery from the Great Depression with the New Deal policy
- He led the Allied powers to victory in World War II
- [Criticism]
- His hard-line policy toward Japan triggered the attack on Pearl Harbor
- He pushed for the forced internment policy of Japanese Americans due to racist feelings toward the Japanese
- He promoted the Manhattan Project, a plan to develop the atomic bomb
Quote
“It isn’t sufficient just to want – you’ve got to ask yourself what you are going to do to get the things you want.”
Explanation
In this quote, Franklin D. Roosevelt emphasizes the importance of action and purpose in achieving one’s goals. He argues that simply having desires or wants is not enough to bring about change; what truly matters is the effort and determination put into fulfilling those desires. Roosevelt’s statement reflects his belief that success and progress come not from passively hoping for results, but from actively working toward them. This mindset is a call to move beyond mere intentions and take practical steps to create the future one envisions.
This message was particularly relevant during Roosevelt’s presidency, especially during the Great Depression, when many Americans were struggling with unemployment, poverty, and a lack of opportunity. Roosevelt himself embodied this philosophy, taking bold action through the New Deal programs to address the nation’s economic crisis, demonstrating that resolve, planning, and decisive action were essential to overcoming adversity. He wanted to instill a sense of agency and accountability in the American people, urging them to not only dream of a better future but to work and strive toward it.
In today’s world, this quote is a reminder that goals and dreams are important, but they must be paired with effort and dedication to bring them to fruition. Whether in personal development, business, or social change, action is the key to transforming aspirations into tangible results. Roosevelt’s words encourage individuals to ask themselves how they will actively pursue their goals, rather than waiting for circumstances to change on their own.
