It is not enough merely to exist. It’s not enough to say, “I’m earning enough to support my family. I do my work well. I’m a good father, husband, churchgoer.” That’s all very well. But you must do something more. Seek always to do some good, somewhere. Every man has to seek in his own way to realize his true worth. You must give some time to your fellow man. Even if it’s a little thing, do something for those who need help, something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it. For remember, you don’t live in a world all your own. Your brothers are here too.
—Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French Theologian, Musician, Philosopher, Physician
Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.
—John Wesley (1703–91) British Methodist Religious Leader, Preacher, Theologian
When you give of your possessions, you give but little; it is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
True happiness consists in making others happy.
—Indian Proverb
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
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
Everybody wants to do something to help, but nobody wants to be the first.
—Pearl Bailey (1918–1990) American Jazz Singer, Actress, Writer
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
Use power to help people. For we are given power not to advance our own purposes nor to make a great show in the world, nor a name. There is but one just use of power and it is to serve people.
—George H. W. Bush (1924–2018) American Republican Statesman, 41st President
Look up and not down, look forward and not back, look out and not in, and lend a hand!
—Edward Everett Hale (1822–1909) American Unitarian Clergyman, Writer
The best way to do good to ourselves is to do it to others; the right way to gather is to scatter.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Do not free a camel of the burden of his hump; you may be freeing him from being a camel.
—G. K. Chesterton (1874–1936) English Journalist, Novelist, Essayist, Poet
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
When you dig another out of their troubles, you find a place to bury your own.
—Unknown
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
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
A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives you roses.
—Chinese Proverb
If the human race wishes to have a prolonged and indefinite period of material prosperity, they have only got to behave in a peaceful and helpful way toward one another.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping him up.
—Jesse Jackson (b.1941) American Baptist Civil Rights Activist, Minister
Power is the ability to do good things for others.
—Brooke Astor (1902–2007) American Philanthropist, Writer
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
Happiness… consists in giving, and in serving others.
—Henry Drummond
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
God is everywhere or nowhere, the father of all people or of none, concerned about everything or nothing. Only in His presence shall we learn that the glory of humankind is not in its will to power but in its power of compassion.
—Abraham Joshua Heschel (1907–72) American Jewish Rabbi
The greatest and the most amiable privilege which the rich enjoy over the poor is that which they exercise the least,—the privilege of making others happy.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
We must learn to help those who deserve it, not just those who need it. Life responds to deserve not need.
—Jim Rohn (1930–2009) American Entrepreneur, Author, Motivational Speaker
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
Nothing liberates our greatness like the desire to help, the desire to serve.
—Marianne Williamson (b.1952) American Activist, Author, Lecturer
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
The winner asks, “May I help?” The loser asks, “Do you expect me to do that?”
—William Arthur Ward (1921–94) American Author