Those who shine in the second rank, are eclipsed by the first.
—French Proverb
Continuous effort – not strength or intelligence – is the key to unlocking our potential.
—Winston Churchill (1874–1965) British Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Journalist, Author
Real goodness does not attach itself merely to this life—it points to another world. Political or professional reputation cannot last forever, but a conscience void of offence before God and man is an inheritance for eternity.
—Daniel Webster (1782–1852) American Statesman, Lawyer
Mere goodness can achieve little against the power of nature.
—Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (1770–1831) German Philosopher
Brave deeds are most estimable when hidden.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
Freedom, morality, and the human dignity of the individual consists precisely in this; that he does good not because he is forced to do so, but because he freely conceives it, wants it, and loves it.
—Mikhail Bakunin (1814–76) Russian Anarchist Philosopher
Wealth does not bring about excellence (aka Kindness, Virtue, Goodness), but excellence (aka Kindness, Virtue, Goodness) brings about wealth and all other public and private blessings for men.
—Socrates (469BCE–399BCE) Ancient Greek Philosopher
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
He is a good man whose intimate friends are all good, and whose enemies are decidedly bad.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
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
One of the darkest evils of our world is surely the unteachable wildness of the Good.
—H. G. Wells (1866–1946) English Novelist, Historian, Social Thinker
He that is a good man is three-quarters of his way toward the being a good Christian, wheresoever he lives, or whatsoever he is called.
—Robert South (1634–1716) English Theologian, Preacher
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
As I know more of mankind I expect less of them, and am ready to call a man a good man upon easier terms than I was formerly.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
Ambition and love are the wings to great deeds.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
Have as much good nature as good sense since they generally are companions.
—William Wycherley (c.1640–1716) English Dramatist
Mighty in deeds and not in words.
—Anonymous
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
Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.
—Desmond Tutu (b.1931) South African Clergyman
Our deeds still travel with us from afar, and what we have been makes us what we are.
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
As for doing good; that is one of the professions which is full. Moreover I have tried it fairly and, strange as it may seem, am satisfied that it does not agree with my constitution.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
You are not very good if you are not better than your best friends imagine you to be.
—Johann Kaspar Lavater (1741–1801) Swiss Theologian, Poet
When you can do the common things of life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.
—George Washington Carver (1864–1943) American Scientist, Botanist, Educator, Inventor
Goodness and greatness go not always together.
—Unknown
Every germ of goodness will at last struggle into bloom and fruitage… true success follows every right step.
—Orison Swett Marden (1850–1924) American New Thought Writer, Physician, Entrepreneur
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
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
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 have need of a man’s help, something for which you get no pay but privilege of doing it. For remember, you don’t live in a world all your own. Your brothers live here, too.
—Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French Theologian, Musician, Philosopher, Physician
The greater part of what my neighbors call good I believe in my soul to be bad, and if I repent of anything, it is very likely to be my good behavior. What demon possessed me that I behaved so well? You may say the wisest thing you can, old man,—you who have lived seventy years, not without honor of a kind,—I hear an irresistible voice which invites me away from all that.
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–62) American Philosopher
How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright