Who said “I think, at a child's birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with…”?

Verified

Eleanor Roosevelt. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceFrom article "In Defense of Curiosity" appearing in The Saturday Evening Post 208 (August 24, 1935); 8-9, 64-66.

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“I think, at a child's birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift would be curiosity.”
— Eleanor Roosevelt
VerifiedFrom article "In Defense of Curiosity" appearing in The Saturday Evening Post 208 (August 24, 1935); 8-9, 64-66. · evidenceCuriosity
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Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: From article "In Defense of Curiosity" appearing in The Saturday Evening Post 208 (August 24, 1935); 8-9, 64-66..

APA

Roosevelt, E. (n.d.). I think, at a child's birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift would be curiosity. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/5196-i-think-at-a-childs-birth-if-a/

MLA

Roosevelt, Eleanor. “I think, at a child's birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift would be curiosity.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/5196-i-think-at-a-childs-birth-if-a/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Roosevelt, Eleanor. “I think, at a child's birth, if a mother could ask a fairy godmother to endow it with the most useful gift, that gift would be curiosity.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/5196-i-think-at-a-childs-birth-if-a/.

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More quotes by Eleanor Roosevelt

“It isn't enough to talk about peace. One must believe in it. And it isn't enough to believe in it. One must work at it.”
VerifiedVoice of America broadcast (11 November 1951) · evidenceDetails & citeBelief
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“Life was meant to be lived, and curiosity must be kept alive. One must never, for whatever reason, turn his back on life.”
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All 33 Eleanor Roosevelt quotes →