Skip to content
quotesby

We do not see faith, hope, and charity as unattainable ideals, but we use them as stout supports of a nation fighting the fight for freedom in a modern civilization. Faith - in the soundness of democracy in the midst of dictatorships. Hope - renewed because we know so well the progress we have made. Charity - in the true spirit of that grand old word. For charity literally translated from the original means love, the love that understands, that does not merely share the wealth of the giver, but in true sympathy and wisdom helps men to help themselves.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt#40

FreedomLeadershipDemocracyCharityFaithHope

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker frames faith, hope, and charity as practical tools for national survival during conflict rather than abstract ideals.
In plain terms
We use faith, hope, and love as strengths to fight for freedom in modern times.
What can you take from it?
Treat core virtues as practical supports for national resilience.

Where it applies

  • wartime rhetoric
  • national address
  • policy speech

Putting it to work

  • strengthen civic morale
  • frame policy goals
  • unite citizens

Questions to consider

  • How do you define charity in policy?
  • What supports a nation in crisis?

Another view

The quote assumes a unified national purpose that may not exist in divided societies.

More from Franklin Delano Roosevelt

  1. The brave and clear platform adopted by this convention, to which I heartily subscribe, sets forth that government in a modern civilization has certain inescap…

    Permalink to quote #39
  2. Governments can err, presidents do make mistakes, but the immortal Dante tells us that Divine justice weighs the sins of the cold-blooded and the sins of the w…

    Permalink to quote #41
  3. These economic royalists complain that we seek to overthrow the institutions of America. What they really complain of is that we seek to take away their power.…

    Permalink to quote #38

Related quotes

  1. Once a man has tasted freedom he will never be content to be a slave. That is why I believe that this frightfulness we see everywhere today is only temporary. …

    Walt DisneyWalt Disney quote #1
  2. During the election, Prime Minister Harper ended some of his speeches with the words 'God bless Canada.' Indeed, the prophet Isaiah says that God blesses you w…

    Andrew HutchisonAndrew Hutchison quote #2
  3. So long as faith with freedom reigns And loyal hope survives, And gracious charity remains To leaven lowly lives; While there is one untrodden tract For intell…

    Alfred AustinAlfred Austin quote #3