We must have a citizenship less concerned about what the government can do for it and more anxious about what it can do for the nation.
—Warren G. Harding (1865–1923) American Head of State, Businessperson
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
The work an unknown good man has done is like a vein of water flowing hidden underground, secretly making the ground green.
—Thomas Carlyle (1795–1881) Scottish Historian, Essayist
The race of mankind would perish, did they cease to aid each other. From the time that the mother binds the child’s head till the moment that some kind assistant wipes the death-damp from the brow of the dying, we cannot exist without mutual help. All, therefore, that need aid have a right to ask it from their fellow-mortals; no one who holds the power of granting can refuse it without guilt.
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
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
Joy can only be real only if people look upon their life as a service, and have a definite object in life outside themselves and their personal happiness.
—Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) Russian Novelist
A service of worship is primarily a service to God. When we realize this and act upon it, we make it a service to men.
—Ralph Washington Sockman (1889–1970) American United Methodist Pastor
The road to daily happiness is not hard to find, it’s what we do for others that brings us peace of mind.
—Unknown
You must give some time to your fellow man. Even if it’s a little thing, do something for those who have of 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
If we had no regard for others’ feelings or fortune, we would grow cold and indifferent to life itself.
—George Matthew Adams (1878–1962) American Columnist, Journalist
I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.
—Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French Theologian, Musician, Philosopher, Physician
Make yourself necessary to somebody.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Live for thy neighbor if thou wouldst live for thyself.
—Seneca the Younger (Lucius Annaeus Seneca) (c.4 BCE–65 CE) Roman Stoic Philosopher, Statesman, Tragedian
He that will not permit his wealth to do any good to others while he is living, prevents it from doing any good to himself when he is dead; and by an egotism that is suicidal and has a double edge, cuts himself off from the truest pleasure here and the highest happiness hereafter.
—Charles Caleb Colton (c.1780–1832) English Clergyman, Aphorist
The man who commands efficiently must have
obeyed others in the past, and the man who obeys
dutifully is worthy of being some day a commander.
—Cicero (106BCE–43BCE) Roman Philosopher, Orator, Politician, Lawyer
The truest help we can render an afflicted man is not to take his burden from him, but to call out his best energy, that he may be able to bear the burden.
—Phillips Brooks (1835–93) American Episcopal Clergyman, Author
It was once said that the moral test of Government is how that Government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped
—Hubert Humphrey (1911–78) American Head of State, Politician
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
We live very close together. So, our prime purpose in life is to help others. And if we can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.
—The 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935) Tibetan Buddhist Religious Leader, Civil Rights Leader, Philosopher, Author
Avarice hoards itself poor, charity gives itself rich.
—German Proverb
We cannot all be masters,
nor all masters cannot he truly followed.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Man becomes great exactly in the degree in which he works for the welfare of his fellow-men.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
No man is more cheated than the selfish man.
—Henry Ward Beecher (1813–87) American Clergyman, Writer
Set about doing good to somebody. Put on your hat, and go and visit the sick and poor of your neighborhood; inquire into their circumstances, and minister to their wants. Seek out the desolate, and afflicted, and oppressed, and tell them of the consolations of religion. I have often tried this method, and have always found it the best medicine for a heavy heart.
—John Howard
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
You cannot do a kindness too soon because you never know how soon it will be too late.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
It is enough that I am of value to somebody today.
—Hugh Prather (b.1938) American Christian Author, Minister, Counselor
There is a magnet in your heart that will attract true friends. That magnet is unselfishness, thinking of others first … when you learn to live for others, they will live for you.
—Paramahansa Yogananda (1893–1952) Indian Hindu Mystic, Religious Leader, Philosopher, Teacher
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
Everyone needs to be valued. Everyone has the potential to give something back.
—Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–97) English Royal, Humanitarian, Peace Activist
Kindness is a language which the blind can see and the deaf can hear.
—Anonymous
I slept and I dreamed that life is all joy, I woke and I saw that life is all service. I served and I saw that service is joy.
—Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) Bengali Poet, Polymath
‘Tis not enough to help the feeble up, but to support him after.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
To give real service you must add something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and that is sincerity and integrity.
—Douglas Adams (1952–2001) English Novelist, Scriptwriter
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
Generosity gives assistance, rather than advice.
—Luc de Clapiers, marquis de Vauvenargues (1715–47) French Moralist, Essayist, Writer
Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: “What are you doing for others?”
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
The charity that is a trifle to us can be precious to others.
—Homer (751–651 BCE) Ancient Greek Poet
I hate the giving of the hand unless the whole man accompanies it.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
Let every dawn of the morning be to you as the beginning of life. And let every setting of the sun be to you as its close. Then let everyone of these short lives leave its sure record of some kindly thing done for others; some good strength of knowledge gained for yourself.
—John Ruskin (1819–1900) English Writer, Art Critic
Pity costs nothing and ain’t worth nothing.
—Josh Billings (Henry Wheeler Shaw) (1818–85) American Humorist, Author, Lecturer
I wonder why it is that we are not all kinder to each other… How much the world needs it! How easily it is done.
—Henry Drummond
Helping people in need is a good and essential part of my life, a kind of destiny.
—Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–97) English Royal, Humanitarian, Peace Activist
Everything that lives, lives not alone, nor for itself.
—William Blake (1757–1827) English Poet, Painter, Printmaker
If you want to feel connected to your own purpose, know this for certain: Your purpose will only be found in service to others, and in being connected to the something far greater than your mind/body/ego.
—Wayne Dyer (b.1940) American Motivational Writer, Author, Motivational Speaker
Be charitable and indulgent to everyone but thyself.
—Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French Writer, Moralist
Laws change; people die; the land remains.
—Abraham Lincoln (1809–65) American Head of State
Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.
—Muhammad Ali (1942–2016) American Sportsperson
I am all about caring. I have always been like that.
—Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–97) English Royal, Humanitarian, Peace Activist
Life is given to use, we earn it by giving it.
—Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941) Bengali Poet, Polymath