If all our happiness is bound up entirely in our personal circumstances, it is difficult not to demand of life more than it has to give.
—Bertrand A. Russell (1872–1970) British Philosopher, Mathematician, Social Critic
Instinct teaches us to look for happiness outside ourselves.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
The most exquisite pleasure is giving pleasure to others.
—Jean de La Bruyere (1645–96) French Satiric Moralist, Author
The most satisfying thing in life is to have been able to give a large part of oneself to others.
—Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881–1955) French Jesuit Philosopher, Paleontologist
Life becomes harder for us when we live for others, but it also becomes richer and happier.
—Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French Theologian, Musician, Philosopher, Physician
A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives you roses.
—Chinese Proverb
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 Journalist
Make happy those who are near, and those who are far will come.
—Chinese Proverb
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
Employers, have you ever stopped to reckon what the goodwill of your workers is worth? … In most large concerns it would be worth more in dollars and cents to have the goodwill of the working force than of those on the outside. It has been repeatedly demonstrated that the average working force is capable of increasing its production 25% or more whenever the workers fell so inclined. Workers animated by ill will cannot possibly give results equal to those of workers animated by goodwill. The tragic fact appears to be that a tremendous number of working forces are not so animated. … .
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
Seldom can the heart be lonely, If it seeks a lonelier still; Self-forgetting, seeking only Emptier cups of love to fill.
—Frances Ridley Havergal (1836–79) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer
He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth; but he who hath mercy on the poor, happy is he.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Goodwill is the one and only asset that competition cannot undersell or destroy.
—Marshall Field (1834–1906) American Entrepreneur, Businessperson, Philanthropist
No man can live happily who regards himself alone, who turns everything to his own advantage. Thou must live for another if thou wishest to live for thyself.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
None of us can buy goodwill; we must earn it.
—William Feather (1889–1981) American Publisher, Author
But if you should take the bond of goodwill out of the universe no house or city could stand, nor would even the tillage of the fields abide. If that statement is not clear, then you may understand how great is the power of friendship and of concord from a consideration of the results of enmity and disagreement. For what house is so strong, or what state so enduring that it cannot be utterly overthrown by animosities and division?
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
One of things I keep learning is that the secret of being happy is doing things for other people.
—Dick Gregory (1932–2017) American Comedian, Civil Rights Activist
You cannot always have happiness, but you can always give happiness.
—Unknown
A great asset of any business is goodwill. This is a trite statement but, like so many self-evident truths, it seldom gets the careful consideration it deserves. Goodwill does not come through clarion advertising appeals, exhortations, protestations. Character, from which stems goodwill, is a quality of slow growth through performance.
—W. Alton Jones (1891–1962) American Businessperson, Philanthropist
True happiness consists in making others happy.
—Indian Proverb
I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.
—Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French Theologian, Musician, Philosopher, Physician
No man is more cheated than the selfish man.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
There is no happiness in having or in getting, but only in giving.
—Henry Drummond
The habit of being uniformly considerate toward others will bring increased happiness to you.
—Grenville Kleiser (1868–1935) Canadian Author
Caring about others, running the risk of feeling, and leaving an impact on people brings happiness.
—Harold Kushner (b.1935) American Jewish Religious Leader, Priest
When you dig another out of their troubles, you find a place to bury your own.
—Unknown
Happiness… consists in giving, and in serving others.
—Henry Drummond