When you see a worthy person, endeavor to emulate him. When you see an unworthy person, then examine your inner self.
—Confucius (551BCE–479BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Religious 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
The golden rule is of no use whatsoever unless you realize that it is your move.
—Frank Hall Crane
The greatest happiness in the world is to make others happy.
—Luther Burbank (1849–1926) American Botanist, Scientist
He gives little who gives with a frown; he gives much who gives little with a smile.
—The Talmud
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, Activist, Essayist, Short Story Writer
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, Political leader, Government Official
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
Kindness causes us to learn, and to forget, many things.
—Sophie Swetchine (1782–1857) Russian Christian Mystic
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
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
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
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
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
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
The habit of being uniformly considerate toward others will bring increased happiness to you.
—Grenville Kleiser (1868–1935) Canadian Author
The mortal sickness of a mind too unhappy to be kind.
—A. E. Housman (1859–1936) British Poet, Scholar
Work as though you would live forever, and live as though you would die today. Go another mile!
—Og Mandino
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
How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.
—Anne Frank (1929–45) German Holocaust Victim
Try and forget our cares and sickness, and contribute, as we can to the happiness of each other.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist, Biographer, Poet, Writer, Literary Critic
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader, Philosopher, Civil Rights Activist
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
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
Wise sayings often fall on barren ground, but a kind word is never thrown away.
—Arthur Helps (1813–75) English Dramatist, Essayist
In faith and hope the world will disagree, but all mankind’s concern is charity.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet, Translator
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
Don’t abuse your friends and expect them to consider it criticism.
—Elizabeth Taylor (1932–2011) English Actor, Activist
It is enough that I am of value to somebody today.
—Hugh Prather (1938–2010) American Christian Author, Minister, Counselor
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, Novelist, Playwright, 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
Kindness, I’ve discovered, is everything in life.
—Isaac Bashevis Singer (1902–91) Polish-born American Children’s Books Writer, Novelist, Short Story Writer
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) Indian Hindu Polymath, Novelist, Poet, Essayist, Philosopher
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
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, Poet, Playwright
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, Philosopher, Civil Rights Activist
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, Philosopher, Civil Rights Activist
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, Political leader, Scientist, Lawyer
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
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 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