"Selfishness is the only real atheism; aspiration, unselfishness, the only real religion"
- Franklin D. Roosevelt
About this Quote
In this quote, Franklin D. Roosevelt is suggesting that selfishness is the just real kind of atheism, while unselfishness is the just real form of faith. He is suggesting that those who are selfish and only appreciate themselves are basically rejecting the existence of a greater power, while those who are unselfish and desire assist others are engaging in a type of religious practice. This quote is a suggestion that real faith is not about following a set of rules or routines, but rather about being kind and generous to others. It is a call to action for people to be more selfless and to put the requirements of others prior to their own. Roosevelt's words are a pointer that real faith is not about what we do, but about how we treat others.
"Well, I think any time you delve into this sort of religion, politics, as you well know, you're going to, you know, touch a few nerves. I wasn't - now - and this is the honest truth"
"No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite"
"War is the greatest plague that can afflict humanity, it destroys religion, it destroys states, it destroys families. Any scourge is preferable to it"
"It's not just the effect of technology on the environment, on religion, on the economic structure, on society, on politics, etc. It's that everything now exists in technology to the point where technology is the new and comprehensive host of nature of life"
"Art is exalted above religion and race. Not a single solitary soul these days believes in the religions of the Assyrians, the Egyptians and the Greeks... Only their art, whenever it was beautiful, stands proud and exalted, rising above all time"
"We must respect the other fellow's religion, but only in the sense and to the extent that we respect his theory that his wife is beautiful and his children smart"
