I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy, I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy.
—Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) Bengali Poet, Polymath
There is a magnet in your heart that will attract true friends. That magnet is unselfishness, thinking of others first … when you learn to live for others, they will live for you.
—Paramahansa Yogananda (1893–1952) Indian Hindu Mystic, Religious Leader, Philosopher, Teacher
Rings and jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only gift is a portion of thyself.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
We must have a citizenship less concerned about what the government can do for it and more anxious about what it can do for the nation.
—Warren G. Harding (1865–1923) American Head of State, Businessperson
Always be a little kinder than necessary.
—J. M. Barrie (1860–1937) Scottish Novelist, Dramatist
In faith and hope the world will disagree, but all mankind’s concern is charity.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
Let every dawn of the morning be to you as the beginning of life. And let every setting of the sun be to you as its close. Then let everyone of these short lives leave its sure record of some kindly thing done for others; some good strength of knowledge gained for yourself.
—John Ruskin (1819–1900) English Writer, Art Critic
We not only need to be willing to give, but also to be open to receiving from others.
—Anonymous
Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
What boundary ever set limits to the service of mankind?
—Claudian (c.370–c.404 CE) Roman Poet
Consciously or unconsciously, every one of us does render some service or other. If we cultivate the habit of doing this service deliberately, our desire for service will steadily grow stronger, and will make not only for our own happiness but that of the world at large.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.
—Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French Writer, Moralist
The race of mankind would perish, did they cease to aid each other. From the time that the mother binds the child’s head till the moment that some kind assistant wipes the death-damp from the brow of the dying, we cannot exist without mutual help. All, therefore, that need aid have a right to ask it from their fellow-mortals; no one who holds the power of granting can refuse it without guilt.
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
The greatest happiness in the world is to make others happy.
—Luther Burbank (1849–1926) American Botanist, Scientist
To allow oneself to be carried away by a multitude of conflicting concerns, to surrender to too many demands, to commit to too many projects, to want to help everyone in everything is itself to succumb to the violence of our times. Frenzy destroys our inner capacity for peace. It destroys the fruitfulness of our work, because it kills the root of inner wisdom which makes work fruitful.
—Thomas Merton (1915–68) American Trappist Monk
True religion is not a mere doctrine, something that can be taught, but is a way of life. A life in community with God. It must be experienced to be appreciated. A life of service. A living by giving and finding one’s own happiness by bringing happiness into the lives of others.
—William J. H. Boetcker (1873–1962) American Presbyterian Minister
Joy can only be real only if people look upon their life as a service, and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happiness.
—Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) Russian Novelist
Everybody has to be somebody to somebody to be anybody.
—Malcolm S. Forbes (1919–1990) American Publisher, Businessperson
An unshared life is not living. He who shares does not lessen, but greatens, his life.
—Stephen Samuel Wise (1874–1949) American Jewish Rabbi
To serve is beautiful, but only if it is done with joy and a whole heart and a free mind.
—Pearl S. Buck (1892–1973) American Novelist, Human Rights Activist
If we could all hear one another’s prayers, God might be relieved of some of his burdens.
—Ashleigh Brilliant (b.1933) British Cartoonist, Author
He who endeavors to serve, to benefit, and improve the world, is like a swimmer, who struggles against a rapid current, in a river lashed into angry waves by the wind. Often they roar over his head, often they beat him back and baffle him. Most men yield to the stress of the current. Only here and there the stout, strong heart and vigorous arms struggle on towards ultimate success.
—Albert Pike (1809–91) American Masonic Scholar, Orator, Jurist
His lordship may compel us to be equal upstairs, but there will never be equality in the servants hall.
—J. M. Barrie (1860–1937) Scottish Novelist, Dramatist
Hail thy brother’s boat across, and lo! thine own has reached the shore.
—Indian Proverb
At very best, a person wrapped up in himself makes a small package.
—Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878–1969) American Baptist Minister
The sense that some one else cares always helps because it is the sense of love.
—George Edward Woodberry (1855–1930) American Literary Critic, Poet
When you give of your possessions, you give but little; it is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
—Khalil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
I know some good marriages — marriages where both people are just trying to get through their days by helping each other, being good to each other.
—Erica Jong (b.1942) American Novelist, Feminist
Try and forget our cares and sickness, and contribute, as we can to the happiness of each other.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Unless we give part of ourselves away, unless we can live with other people and understand them and help them, we are missing the most essential part of our own lives.
—Harold Taylor
The golden rule is of no use whatsoever unless you realize that it is your move.
—Frank Hall Crane (1873–1948) American Stage and Film Actor, Director
A man lives not only his personal life as an individual but also, consciously or unconsciously, the life of his epoch and his contemporaries.
—Thomas Mann (1875–1955) German Novelist, Short Story Writer, Social Critic, Philanthropist, Essayist
Pleasure is a reciprocal; no one feels it who does not at the same time give it. To be pleased, one must please.
—Earl of Chesterfield (1694–1773) English Statesman, Man of Letters
I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer not neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.
—Unknown
Wise sayings often fall on barren ground, but a kind word is never thrown away.
—Arthur Helps (1813–75) English Dramatist, Essayist
For my own part, I had rather suffer any inconvenience from having to work occasionally in chambers and kitchen … than witness the subservience in which the menial class is held in Europe.
—Harriet Martineau (1802–76) English Sociologist, Economist, Essayist, Philosopher
Work as though you would live forever, and live as though you would die today. Go another mile!
—Og Mandino (1923–96) American Self-help Author
Kindness is a language which the blind can see and the deaf can hear.
—Anonymous
He gives little who gives with a frown; he gives much who gives little with a smile.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Always do more than is required of you.
—George S. Patton (1885–1945) American Military Leader
The life of a man consists not in seeing visions and in dreaming dreams, but in active charity and in willing service.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
All altruism springs from putting yourself in the other person’s place.
—Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878–1969) American Baptist Minister
How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.
—Anne Frank (1929–45) Holocaust Victim
If you judge people, you have no time to love them.
—Mother Teresa (1910–97) Roman Catholic Missionary, Nun
Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though it were his own.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Don’t abuse your friends and expect them to consider it criticism.
—Elizabeth Taylor (b.1932) English Actor, Activist
I want to walk into a room, be it a hospital for the dying or a hospital for the sick children, and feel that I am needed. I want to do, not just to be.
—Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–97) English Royal, Humanitarian, Peace Activist
Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.
—Marian Wright Edelman (b.1939) American Civil Regrets Advocate, Humanitarian, Lawyer
Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.
—Colin Powell (b.1937) American Military Leader
What’s the use of doing a kindness, if you do it a day too late.
—Charles Kingsley (1819–75) English Clergyman, Academic, Historian, Novelist
Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, “What’s in it for me?”
—Brian Tracy (b.1944) American Author, Motivational Speaker
In a world where there is so much to be done, I felt strongly impressed that there must be something for me to do.
—Dorothy Dix (1861–1951) American Journalist, Columnist
I am convinced that the best service a retired general can perform is to turn in his tongue along with his suit, and to mothball his opinions.
—Omar Bradley (1893–1981) American Military Leader
If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind, whom should we serve?
—Abigail Adams (1744–1818) American First Lady
The habit of being uniformly considerate toward others will bring increased happiness to you.
—Grenville Kleiser (1868–1935) Canadian Author
One’s life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation, compassion.
—Simone de Beauvoir (1908–86) French Philosopher, Writer, Feminist
There is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed.
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) American Head of State
Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled this light.
—Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French Theologian, Musician, Philosopher, Physician
To give oneself is the only way of becoming oneself.
—Earl Nightingale (1921–89) American Motivational Speaker, Author
The mortal sickness of a mind too unhappy to be kind.
—A. E. Housman (1859–1936) British Poet, Scholar
When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American First Lady, Diplomat, Humanitarian
It is the individual who is not interested in his fellow men who has the greatest difficulties in life and provides the greatest injury to others. It is from among such individuals that all human failures spring.
—Alfred Adler (1870–1937) Austrian Psychiatrist
Doing good is the only certainly happy action of a man’s life.
—Philip Sidney (1554–86) English Soldier Poet, Courtier
We have no more right to consume happiness without producing it than to consume wealth without producing it.
—George Bernard Shaw (1856–1950) Irish Playwright
We will receive not what we idly wish for but what we justly earn. Our rewards will always be in exact proportion to our service.
—Earl Nightingale (1921–89) American Motivational Speaker, Author
There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
—Edith Wharton (1862–1937) American Novelist, Short-story Writer
When you see a worthy person, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy person, then examine your inner self.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: “What are you doing for others?”
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
Through our willingness to help others we can learn to be happy rather than depressed.
—Gerald Jampolsky (b.1925) American Psychiatrist
What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
The service we render to others is really the rent we pay for our room on this earth. It is obvious that man is himself a traveler; that the purpose of the world is not.
—Wilfred Grenfell (1865–1940) Canadian Humanitarian, Doctor
Kindness, I’ve discovered, is everything in life.
—Isaac Bashevis Singer (1902–91) Polish-born American Children’s Books Writer, Novelist, Short Story Writer
It is enough that I am of value to somebody today.
—Hugh Prather (b.1938) American Christian Author, Minister, Counselor
One of the most considerable advantages the great have over their inferiors is to have servants as good as themselves.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
A man is called selfish not for pursuing his own good, but for neglecting his neighbor’s.
—Richard Whately (1787–1863) English Philosopher, Theologian
Kindness causes us to learn, and to forget, many things.
—Sophie Swetchine (1782–1857) Russian Mystic, Writer
Service can have no meaning unless one takes pleasure in it. When it is done for show or for fear of public opinion it stunts the man and crushes his spirit. Service which is rendered without joy helps neither the servant nor the served. But all other pleasures and possessions pale into nothingness before service which is rendered in a spirit of joy.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
Believe, when you are most unhappy, that there is something for you to do in the world. So long as you can sweeten another’s pain, life is not in vain.
—Helen Keller (1880–1968) American Author
Men in great place are thrice servants; servants of the sovereign or state, servants of fame, and servants of business; so that they have no freedom, neither in their persons, in their actions, nor in their times.—It is a strange desire to seek power over others, and to lose power over a man’s self.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
As the purse is emptied, the heart is filled.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.
—Muhammad Ali (1942–2016) American Sportsperson
What we have done for ourselves alone dies with us; what we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.
—Albert Pike (1809–91) American Masonic Scholar, Orator, Jurist
For we must share, if we would keep, that blessing from above; ceasing to give, we cease to have; such is the law of love.
—Richard Chenevix Trench (1807–86) Irish Anglican Clergyman, Religious Leader, Poet
Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.
—J. M. Barrie (1860–1937) Scottish Novelist, Dramatist
Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting.
—Elizabeth Bibesco (1897–1945) English Poet, Short Story Writer, Novelist
If things are not going well with you, begin your effort at correcting the situation by carefully examining the service you are rendering, and especially the spirit in which you are rendering it.
—Roger Babson (1875–1967) American Entre, Businessperson, Economist, Writer, Philanthropist
The charity that is a trifle to us can be precious to others.
—Homer (751–651 BCE) Ancient Greek Poet
Man becomes great exactly in the degree in which he works for the welfare of his fellow-men.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Life is so unfair that one is more likely to get into some sort of trouble than be rewarded if one attempts to do a good deed; many times one spends time and resources to help someone only to be totally ignored with not so much as a thank you.
—Dero A. Saunders (1914–2002) American Journalist, Scholar
It is one of the beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another, without helping himself.
—Gamaliel Bailey (1807–59) American Antislavery Journalist
You cannot hope to build a better world without improving the individuals. To that end, each of us must work for our own improvement and, at the same time, share a general responsibility for all humanity, our particular duty being to aid those to whom we think we can be most useful.
—Marie Curie (1867–1934) Polish-born French Physicist, Chemist
He gives twice who gives promptly.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
My dad has always taught me these words: care and share. That’s why we put on clinics. The only thing I can do is try to give back. If it works, it works.
—Tiger Woods (b.1975) American Sportsperson
If every American donated five hours a week, it would equal the labor of 20 million full-time volunteers.
—Whoopi Goldberg (b.1955) American Comedian, Actor, Musician, Political Activist, TV Personality
The human being who lives only for himself finally reaps nothing but unhappiness. Selfishness corrodes. Unselfishness ennobles, satisfies. Don’t put off the joy derivable from doing helpful, kindly things for others.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
—Emily Dickinson (1830–86) American Poet
Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
An effort made for the happiness of others lifts us above ourselves.
—Lydia Maria Child (1802–80) American Abolitionist, Writer
The very best thing you can do for the whole world is to make the most of yourself.
—Wallace Wattles (1860–1911) American New Thought Author
No enterprise can exist for itself alone. It ministers to some great need, it performs some great service, not for itself, but for others; or failing therein, it ceases to be profitable and ceases to exist.
—Calvin Coolidge (1872–1933) American Head of State, Lawyer
Make yourself necessary to somebody.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher