A large heart can be filled with very little.
—Antonio Porchia (1885–1968) Italian Poet
Act as though what you do makes a difference. It does.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
Improvement begins with I.
—Arnold Glasow (1905–98) American Businessman
I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.
—Mother Teresa (1910–97) Roman Catholic Missionary, Nun
This is what you shall do: love the earth and sun, and animals, despise riches, give alms to everyone that asks, stand up for the stupid and crazy, devote your income and labor to others, hate tyrants, argue not concerning God, have patience and indulgence towards the people, take off your hat to nothing known or unknown, or to any man or number of men; go freely with the powerful uneducated persons, and with the young, and mothers, of families: read these leaves in the open air every season of every year of your life: re-examine all you have been told at school or church, or in any books, and dismiss whatever insults your soul.
—Walt Whitman (1819–92) American Poet, Essayist, Journalist, American, Poet, Essayist, Journalist
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
Condemn none: if you can stretch out a helping hand, do so. If you cannot, fold your hands, bless your brothers, and let them go their own way.
—Swami Vivekananda (1863–1902) Indian Hindu Monk, Mystic
Advising is easier than helping.
—German Proverb
Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man’s growth without destroying his roots.
—Frank A. Clark
I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love.
—Mother Teresa (1910–97) Roman Catholic Missionary, Nun
I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catchers mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.
—Maya Angelou (1928–2014) American Poet
The destroyer of weeds, thistles and thorns is a benefactor, whether he soweth grain or not.
—Robert G. Ingersoll (1833–99) American Lawyer, Orator, Agnostic
Not only must we be good, but we must also be good for something.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
When I was a young man, I wanted to change the world. I found it was difficult to change the world, so I tried to change my nation. When I found I couldn’t change the nation, I began to focus on my town. I couldn’t change the town and as an older man, I tried to change my family. Now, as an old man, I realize the only thing I can change is myself, and suddenly I realize that if long ago I had changed myself, I could have made an impact on my family. My family and I could have made an impact on our town. Their impact could have changed the nation and I could indeed have changed the world.
—Unknown
Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping him up.
—Jesse Jackson (b.1941) American Baptist Civil Rights Activist, Minister
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
Go the extra mile. It’s never crowded.
—Unknown
Build your reputation by helping other people build theirs.
—Anthony J. D’Angelo
I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything; but still I can do something; and because I cannot do everything, I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
—Edward Everett Hale (1822–1909) American Unitarian Clergyman, Writer
God has not called us to see through each other, but to see each other through.
—Unknown
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
Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.
—Mother Teresa (1910–97) Roman Catholic Missionary, Nun
The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: “If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?” But… the good Samaritan reversed the question: “If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?”
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
My piece of bread only belongs to me when I know that everyone else has a share, and that no one starves while I eat.
—Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) Russian Novelist
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
Love never reasons but profusely gives; gives, like a thoughtless prodigal, its all, and trembles lest it has done too little.
—Hannah More
Things of the spirit differ from things material in that the more you give the more you have.
—Christopher Morley (1890–1957) American Novelist, Essayist
Do not commit the error, common among the young, of assuming that if you cannot save the whole of mankind you have failed.
—Jan de Hartog (1914–2002) Dutch-American Novelist, Playwright
In this world we must help one another.
—Jean de La Fontaine (1621–95) French Poet, Short Story Writer