Inspirational Quotations on Service

The mortal sickness of a mind too unhappy to be kind.
—A. E. Housman (1859–1936) British Poet, Scholar

Always be a little kinder than necessary.
—J. M. Barrie (1860–1937) Scottish Novelist, Dramatist, Author

Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic

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

Don’t abuse your friends and expect them to consider it criticism.
—Elizabeth Taylor (b.1932) English Actor, Activist

How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.
—Anne Frank (1929–45) Holocaust Victim

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

Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.
—J. M. Barrie (1860–1937) Scottish Novelist, Dramatist, Author

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

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

Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author

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

The greatest happiness in the world is to make others happy.
—Luther Burbank (1849–1926) American Botanist, Scientist

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

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

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

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 Art Critic, Social Thinker

A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.
—Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French 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

Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet

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

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

A man is called selfish not for pursuing his own good, but for neglecting his neighbor’s.
—Richard Whately

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

Kindness, I’ve discovered, is everything in life.
—Isaac Bashevis Singer (1902–91) Polish-born American Children’s Books Writer, Novelist, Short Story Writer

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

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

It is one of the beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another, without helping himself.
—Gamaliel Bailey

As the purse is emptied, the heart is filled.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist

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

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

When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American First Lady, Diplomat, Civil Rights Activist, Politician

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

Kindness is a language which the blind can see and the deaf can hear.
—Anonymous

Kindness causes us to learn, and to forget, many things.
—Sophie Swetchine (1782–1857) Russian Christian Mystic

Everybody has to be somebody to somebody to be anybody.
—Malcolm Forbes (1919–90) American Publisher

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

Try and forget our cares and sickness, and contribute, as we can to the happiness of each other.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist

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

It is enough that I am of value to somebody today.
—Hugh Prather (b.1938) American Christian Author, Minister, Counselor

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

Work as though you would live forever, and live as though you would die today. Go another mile!
—Og Mandino

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

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

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

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

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 Psychologist, Psychiatrist

The golden rule is of no use whatsoever unless you realize that it is your move.
—Frank Hall Crane

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

What boundary ever set limits to the service of mankind?
—Claudian (c.370–c.404 CE) Roman Poet

Wise sayings often fall on barren ground, but a kind word is never thrown away.
—Arthur Helps (1813–75) English Dramatist, Essayist

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 gives twice who gives promptly.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer

Make yourself necessary to somebody.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher

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

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

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

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

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

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

In faith and hope the world will disagree, but all mankind’s concern is charity.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet

At very best, a person wrapped up in himself makes a small package.
—Harry Emerson Fosdick (1878–1969) American Baptist Clergyman, Theologian

Hail thy brother’s boat across, and lo! thine own has reached the shore.
—Indian Proverb

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

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

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

Blessed are those who can give without remembering and take without forgetting.
—Elizabeth Bibesco (1897–1945) English Poet, Short Story Writer, Novelist

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader

An unshared life is not living. He who shares does not lessen, but greatens, his life.
—Stephen Samuel Wise (1874–1949) American Jewish Rabbi

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

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

The habit of being uniformly considerate toward others will bring increased happiness to you.
—Grenville Kleiser (1868–1935) Canadian Author

If you judge people, you have no time to love them.
—Mother Teresa (1910–97) Albanian Catholic Humanitarian

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

An effort made for the happiness of others lifts us above ourselves.
—Lydia Maria Child (1802–80) American Abolitionist, Civil Rights Activist, Novelist, Journalist

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

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