“You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best that you have to give.”
- October 11, 1884 – November 7, 1962
- American
- First Lady of the United States, Diplomat, Human Rights Advocate, Chair of the UN Human Rights Commission
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Quote
“You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best that you have to give.”
Explanation
In this quote, Eleanor Roosevelt offers a philosophy of resilience and integrity, emphasizing that while we may not control what life brings, we can always choose how we respond. Acceptance, in her view, is not resignation but readiness—a recognition that life’s uncertainties must be faced, not feared, and that the real measure of a person lies in how they confront difficulty.
Roosevelt herself endured personal sorrow, political pressure, and global crises, yet remained deeply committed to service and justice. Her words reflect a belief that the quality of our response—marked by courage and wholehearted effort—is what gives life its meaning, regardless of outcome. Meeting challenges “with the best that you have to give” is not only an act of personal dignity, but a contribution to the greater good.
In today’s uncertain world, her quote resonates as both comfort and challenge. It reminds us that courage is not about being fearless, but about facing fear with commitment, and that doing our best—even when we feel unprepared—is enough. Roosevelt teaches that our power lies not in controlling life, but in rising to meet it with purpose and strength.
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