Roosevelt, Eleanor -- Memoir (1961), The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt, Part 4, ch. 41 “Milestones”

Dave — Tue, 29 Sep 2026 15:42:55 +0000

Now, while we are a generous nation, giving with a free hand and with an open heart whenever there is need or suffering (that we can understand, at least), we have one weakness that, considering our political maturity as a nation, is rather immature. We continue to expect the world to be grateful to us and to love us. We are hurt and indignant when we do not receive gratitude and love.
Gratitude and love are not to be had for the asking; they are not to be bought. We should not want to think that they are for sale. What we should seek, rather than gratitude or love, is the respect of the world. This we can earn by enlightened justice. But it is rather naive of us to think that when we are helping people our action is entirely unselfish. It is not. It is not unselfish when we vaccinate the public against smallpox. It is a precautionary measure, but nonetheless good in itself.

Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American politician, diplomat, activist; First Lady of the US (1933–45)
Memoir (1961), The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt, Part 4, ch. 41 “Milestones”

On the United States and foreign aid.

This text was not in her previous memoirs, but new to her compiled Autobiography.

WIST Quotations

Roosevelt, Eleanor -- Memoir (1961), The Autobiography of Eleanor Roosevelt, Part 4, ch. 41 “Milestones”