First Fireside Chat: Compassion Quotes

How we cite our quotes: (Sentence number)

Quote #4

After all, there is an element in the readjustment of our financial system more important than currency, more important than gold, and that is the confidence of the people themselves. (68)

Notice the "more important than gold" part here. The problem is money, right? The economic situation is horrible, right? Shouldn't gold be the single most important thing at this point in time?

Yet Roosevelt says that it's the people and their confidence that are more important than anything else. Suggesting that his people are more important than money, during a time of severe economic depression, is about as compassionate as it gets.

Quote #5

It is your problem, my friends, your problem no less than it is mine. Together we cannot fail. (73)

FDR's famous last line comes up often, and for good reason. In one fell swoop he connects himself to the common man, shares in the struggle, and gives hope for the future.