Good actions ennoble us, and we are the sons of our own deeds.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
In dreams the truth is learned that all good works are done in the absence of a caress.
—Leonard Cohen (1934–2016) Canadian Singer, Songwriter, Poet, Novelist
Chop your own wood, and it will warm you twice.
—Henry Ford (1863–1947) American Businessperson, Engineer
No matter what a man’s aims, or resolutions, or professions may be, it is by one’s deeds that he is to be judged, both by God and man.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Anyone who proposes to do good must not expect people to roll stones out of his way, but must accept his lot calmly if they even roll a few more on it. A strength which becomes clearer and stronger through experiences of such obstacles is the only strength that can conquer them. Resistance is only a waste of strength.
—Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French Theologian, Musician, Philosopher, Physician
Noble deeds and hot baths are the best cures for depression.
—Dodie Smith (1896–1990) British Novelist, Playwright, Writer
Our deeds determine us, as much as we determine our deeds.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
Good deeds from good intentions flow; but good intentions only; build for us a place below.
—Unknown
Genius is the union of man and God in the acts of the soul. Great men are always greater than their deeds. They are in connection with a reserve power that is without limit.
—Wallace Wattles (1860–1911) American New Thought Author
How oft the sight of means to do ill deeds, makes deeds ill done!
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Though language forms the preacher, ‘Tis “good works” make the man.
—Eliza Cook (1818–89) English Author, Poet
O Lord, how many read the Word, and yet from vice are not deterred.
—Unknown
However brilliant an action may be, it ought not to pass for great when it is not the result of a great design.
—Francois de La Rochefoucauld (1613–80) French Writer
Our deeds are seeds of fate, sown here on earth, but bringing forth their harvest in eternity.
—George Boardman the Younger (1801–31) American Baptist Minister
Good deeds ring clear through heaven like a bell.
—Jean Paul (1763–1825) German Novelist, Humorist
A word that has been said may be unsaid—it is but air. But when a deed is done, it cannot be undone, nor can our thoughts reach out to all the mischiefs that may follow.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
The last temptation is the greatest treason: to do the right deed for the wrong reason.
—T. S. Eliot (1888–1965) American-born British Poet, Dramatist, Literary Critic
Verily the kindness that gazes upon itself in a mirror turns to stone, and a good deed that calls itself by tender names becomes the parent to a curse.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
The smallest good deed is better than the grandest intention
—Unknown
A noble deed is a step toward God.
—Josiah Gilbert Holland (1819–81) American Editor, Novelist
If I knew for a certainty that a man was coming to my house with the conscious design of doing me good, I should run for my life.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
Every man feels instinctively that all the beautiful sentiments in the world weigh less than a single lovely action.
—James Russell Lowell (1819–91) American Poet, Critic
Fashion your life as a garland of beautiful deeds.
—Buddhist Teaching
That best portion of a good man’s life; His little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.
—William Wordsworth (1770–1850) English Poet
Those who shine in the second rank, are eclipsed by the first.
—French Proverb
The flighty purpose never is o’ertook, unless the deed go with it.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Mighty in deeds and not in words.
—Anonymous
Though it is possible to utter words only with the intention to fulfill the will of God, it is very difficult not to think about the impression which they will produce on men and not to form them accordingly. But deeds you can do quite unknown to men, only for God. And such deeds are the greatest joy that a man can experience.
—Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) Russian Novelist
Everyone whose deeds are more than his wisdom, his wisdom endures; and everyone whose wisdom is more than his deeds, his wisdom does not endure.
—The Talmud Sacred Text of the Jewish Faith
Whatever is done for love always occurs beyond good and evil.
—Friedrich Nietzsche (1844–1900) German Philosopher, Scholar, Writer