Table of Contents
“We are all sentenced to solitary confinement inside our own skins, for life.”
– Tennessee Williams
“To love another person is to see the face of God.”
– Victor Hugo, Les Misérables
Consider Williams’ and Hugo’s quotes the two opposite ends of the philanthropy spectrum. At the one extreme you have complete isolation from your conspecifics: a dreadful state of affairs, in which you feel so alienated from your fellow man that you cannot fathom finding solace in his company. But the closer you near the other extreme, the better you will realize that we are all interconnected – a whole comprised of seven billion or so parts, each connected by heart strings.
An actual twitter exchange between Neil deGrasse Tyson and Norm Macdonald further illustrates this point. In 2019 the award-winning astrophysicist tweeted this:
The Universe is blind to our sorrows and indifferent to our pains.
Have a nice day!
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) April 3, 2019
In response, the guy who played Frank in Billy Madison tweeted this:
Neil, there is a logic flaw in your little aphorism that seems quite telling. Since you and I are part of the Universe, then we would also be indifferent and uncaring. Perhaps you forgot, Neil, that we are not superior to the Universe but merely a fraction of it. Nice day, indeed https://t.co/bSYUd7EH91
— Norm Macdonald (@normmacdonald) April 11, 2019
We present the following collection of quotes about helping others so you can become more like Victor Hugo and Norm MacDonald.
Quotes About Helping Others and Kindness
Ronald Reagan
“Protecting the rights of even the least individual among us is basically the only excuse the government has for even existing.”
Ronald Reagan’s quote encapsulates the fundamental purpose of government: safeguarding the rights of every individual, regardless of their status or influence. It emphasizes that the protection of even the most marginalized members of society serves as the primary justification for the existence of government itself.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote underscores a profound perspective on the purpose of life, emphasizing that true fulfillment comes not from the pursuit of happiness alone, but from leading a life of usefulness, honor, and compassion. It highlights the significance of making a positive impact and leaving a meaningful legacy as essential components of living well.
Booker T. Washington
“Those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.”
Booker T. Washington’s quote suggests that true happiness is found in altruism and service to others. It implies that individuals who prioritize helping and supporting others tend to experience the greatest sense of fulfillment and contentment in life.
Charles Dickens
“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.”
Charles Dickens’ quote emphasizes the intrinsic value of every individual in society, stating that nobody is without purpose as long as they contribute to alleviating the hardships of others. It underscores the importance of empathy, kindness, and assistance in making a meaningful impact on the lives of those around us.
Dalai Lama
“If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito.”
The Dalai Lama’s quote illustrates the profound impact even the seemingly insignificant can have. It encourages individuals to recognize their potential for influence, emphasizing that even small actions can yield significant consequences.
Jane Goodall
“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”
Jane Goodall’s quote emphasizes personal agency and responsibility in shaping the world around us. It underscores the significance of individual actions and choices, urging people to reflect on the impact they want to have and to strive towards making a positive difference in the world.
Edith Wharton
“There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”
Edith Wharton’s quote illustrates the concept of spreading positivity and inspiration. It suggests that individuals can either directly radiate light through their actions and deeds (being the candle) or indirectly reflect the light cast by others through admiration, support, and sharing (being the mirror). Both approaches contribute to illuminating the world around us in meaningful ways.
Steve Jobs
“People who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”
Steve Jobs’ quote celebrates the power of audacious thinking and determination in effecting meaningful change. It highlights that those who possess the courage to believe in their ability to make a difference are often the ones who ultimately succeed in transforming the world around them.
Anne Frank
“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”
Anne Frank’s quote encapsulates the profound notion that positive change can begin at any moment, emphasizing the immediacy of action in making the world a better place. It inspires individuals to seize the opportunity to contribute to improvement without delay, recognizing the transformative power of even the smallest actions.