His lordship may compel us to be equal upstairs, but there will never be equality in the servants hall.
—J. M. Barrie (1860–1937) Scottish Novelist, Dramatist
It is more blessed to give than to receive.
—The Holy Bible Scripture in the Christian Faith
Government includes the art of formulating a policy, and using the political technique to attain so much of that policy as will receive general support; persuading, leading, sacrificing, teaching always, because the greatest duty of any statesman is to educate.
—Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945) American Head of State, Lawyer
That service is the noblest which is rendered for its own sake.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
We are all here on earth to help others; what on earth the others are here for, I don’t know.
—W. H. Auden (1907–73) British-born American Poet, Dramatist
Do unto yourself as your neighbors do unto themselves and look pleasant.
—George Ade (1866–1944) American Humorist, Playwright
Laws change; people die; the land remains.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
I know some good marriages—marriages where both people are just trying to get through their days by helping each other, being good to each other.
—Erica Jong (b.1942) American Novelist, Feminist
My dad has always taught me these words: care and share. That’s why we put on clinics. The only thing I can do is try to give back. If it works, it works.
—Tiger Woods (b.1975) American Sportsperson
What madness it is for a man to starve himself to enrich his heir, and so turn a friend into an enemy! For his joy at your death will be proportioned to what you leave him.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
Keep doing good deeds long enough, and you’ll probably turn out a good man in spite of yourself.
—Louis Auchincloss (1917–2010) American Novelist, Lawyer
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
Make sure somebody need you.
—Unknown
There is no higher religion than human service. To work for the common good is the greatest creed.
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) American Head of State
Which is more worthwhile earning: a large fortune or the esteem and gratitude of the nation? This question is prompted anew by the death of ex-Secretary of the Interior (Franklin K.) Lane. He remained in public service, doing most noble work, until his means became absolutely exhausted, and he died before having had the opportunity to reaccumulate any bank account…. He died leaving no estate whatsoever. Is what he did leave more to be desired, more to be coveted, than a fortune reaching into six or seven figures?
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
The administration of government, like a guardianship, ought to be directed to the good of those who confer, not of those who receive the trust.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.
—Booker T. Washington (1856–1915) African-American Educationist
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
Did universal charity prevail, earth would be a heaven, and hell a fable.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
A laugh, to be joyous, must flow from a joyous heart, for without kindness there can be no true joy.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
Leadership is solving problems. The day soldiers stop bringing you their problems is the day you have stopped leading them. They have either lost confidence that you can help or concluded you do not care. Either case is a failure of leadership.
—Colin Powell (1937–2021) American Military Leader
Work as though you would live forever, and live as though you would die today. Go another mile!
—Og Mandino (1923–96) American Self-Help Author
I am convinced that the best service a retired general can perform is to turn in his tongue along with his suit, and to mothball his opinions.
—Omar Bradley (1893–1981) American Military Leader
The cook was a good cook, as cooks go; and as cooks go, she went.
—Saki (Hector Hugh Munro) (1870–1916) British Short Story Writer, Satirist, Historian
Preferring to store her money in the stomachs of the needy rather than hide it in a purse.
—Jerome (347–420) Greek Priest, Apologist, Saint
You cannot always have happiness, but you can always give happiness.
—Unknown
I love meeting people and helping them.
—Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–97) English Royal, Humanitarian, Peace Activist
Provision for others is a fundamental responsibility of human life.
—Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924) American Head of State
I never perfected an invention that I did not think about in terms of the service it might give others… I find out what the world needs, then I proceed to invent.
—Thomas Edison (1847–1931) American Inventor, Scientist, Entrepreneur
Are you a politician asking what your country can do for you or a zealous one asking what you can do for your country?
—Kahlil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-American Philosopher, Poet, Sculptor
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