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
What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
The winner asks, “May I help?” The loser asks, “Do you expect me to do that?”
—William Arthur Ward (1921–94) American Author
Instinct teaches us to look for happiness outside ourselves.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Mathematician, Physicist, Theologian
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
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
The habit of being uniformly considerate toward others will bring increased happiness to you.
—Grenville Kleiser (1868–1935) Canadian Author
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
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
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
The service we render to others is really the rent we pay for our room on this earth. It is obvious that man is himself a traveler; that the purpose of the world is not.
—Wilfred Grenfell (1865–1940) Canadian Humanitarian, Doctor
There is always something to do. There are hungry people to feed, naked people to clothe, sick people to comfort and make well. And while I don’t expect you to save the world I do think it’s not asking too much for you to love those with whom you sleep, share the happiness of those whom you call friend, engage those among you who are visionary and remove from your live those who offer you depression, despair and disrespect.
—Nikki Giovanni (b.1943) American Poet, Writer, Activist, Educator
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
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
There is no such thing as a “self-made” man. We are made up of thousands of others. Everyone who has ever done a kind deed for us, or spoken one word of encouragement to us, has entered into the make-up of our character and of our thoughts, as well as our success.
—George Matthew Adams (1878–1962) American Columnist, Journalist
The most exquisite pleasure is giving pleasure to others.
—Jean de La Bruyere (1645–96) French Satiric Moralist, Author
To desire and strive to be of some service to the world, to aim at doing something which shall really increase the happiness and welfare and virtue of humankind—this is a choice which is possible for all of us; and surely it is a good haven to sail for.
—Henry van Dyke Jr. (1852–1933) American Author, Educator, Clergyman
True happiness consists in making others happy.
—Indian Proverb
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
A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives you roses.
—Chinese Proverb
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
If you want to be important – that’s wonderful. If you want to be great – that’s wonderful. But recognize that he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. That’s your new definition of greatness – it means that everybody can be great because everybody can serve. You don’t have to know about Plato and Aristotle to serve. You don’t have to know the second law of thermodynamics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love…
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
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 superior man is the providence of the inferior. He is eyes for the blind, strength for the weak, and a shield for the defenseless. He stands erect by bending above the fallen. He rises by lifting others.
—Robert G. Ingersoll (1833–99) American Lawyer, Orator, Agnostic
The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you.
—Mae Maloo
Power is the ability to do good things for others.
—Brooke Astor (1902–2007) American Philanthropist, Writer
Happiness… consists in giving, and in serving others.
—Henry Drummond
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
The spirit of brotherhood recognizes of necessity both the need of self-help and also the need of helping others in the only way which every ultimately does great god, that is, of helping them to help themselves.
—Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919) American Head of State, Political leader, Historian, Explorer