The individual is important, powerful, and sovereign. But man is a social animal. All of our greatest accomplishments as a species — from the great works of architecture to the curing of disease to landing on the moon — are social accomplishments. People of great vision must ultimately convince others of the crucial quality of their vision. Without that ability to convince, to unite with others in common cause, a good idea is just that: an idea.

The companionship that we seek and hold is crucial to our own success as people. Surround yourself with those whose sights are set in the gutter and that’s where you’re going to end up. Surround yourself with people who seek to overcome and to self-actualize and they’re going to help you along that journey, as well as many others along the way.

What’s more, while you’re on your way up, it’s important to reach out and help others less fortunate than you. It’s not purely a question of this “feeling good” or being good for the soul in some abstract sense. Rather, enriching the lives of others also enriches your life, both by allowing you the opportunity to practice the skills you have acquired as well as to engage in your community and enrich yourself through working with others.

Here are some of our favorite quotes about the importance of community.

 

Quotes About Building a Community of Like-Minded People

Proverbs 11:14

“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellers there is safety.”

Proverbs 11:14

Proverbs 11:14 on Community Quotes

Proverbs 11:14 emphasizes the importance of seeking counsel and advice from others in decision-making processes. It suggests that when individuals lack guidance or wise counsel, they are more prone to failure or missteps. However, by consulting with a diverse array of counselors, one can enhance their chances of making informed and prudent choices, leading to greater safety and success. This quote underscores the value of collective wisdom and collaboration in navigating life’s challenges and achieving favorable outcomes.

 

Jim Rohn

“Don’t join an easy crowd; you won’t grow. Go where the expectations and the demands to perform are high.”

Jim Rohn

Jim Rohn on Community Quotes

Jim Rohn’s quote encourages individuals to seek environments that challenge and push them to grow. He advises against surrounding oneself with people who make life easy, as this can hinder personal development. Instead, Rohn suggests seeking out environments where expectations and demands are high, as these settings provide opportunities for individuals to stretch themselves and reach new heights. This quote underscores the importance of embracing challenges and pushing beyond comfort zones in order to realize one’s full potential.

 

John Donne

“No man is an island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the continent, a part of the main.”

John Donne

John Donne on Community Quotes

John Donne’s quote beautifully captures the interconnectedness of humanity and the idea that individuals are not isolated entities but rather integral parts of a larger whole. He metaphorically compares people to pieces of a continent, emphasizing that each person contributes to the broader fabric of society. This quote serves as a reminder of the importance of community, empathy, and recognizing our shared humanity. It underscores the notion that we are all interconnected and dependent on each other for support, understanding, and collective progress.

 

Tony Robbins

“If we surround ourselves with people who are successful, who are forward-moving, who are positive, who are focused on producing results, who support us, it will challenge us to be more and do more and share more. If you can surround yourself with people who will never let you settle for less than you can be, you have the greatest gift that anyone can hope for.”

Tony Robbins, Unlimited Power

Tony Robbins on Community Quotes

Tony Robbins’ quote emphasizes the profound impact of surrounding oneself with positive and driven individuals. He suggests that being in the company of successful, forward-thinking, and supportive people can inspire personal growth and encourage individuals to strive for excellence. Robbins highlights the importance of having a supportive network that challenges individuals to reach their full potential and refuses to let them settle for mediocrity. This quote underscores the transformative power of surrounding oneself with like-minded individuals who push, motivate, and uplift each other towards greater achievements.

 

David Whyt

“The dynamic of friendship is almost always underestimated as a constant force in human life: a diminishing circle of friends is the first terrible diagnostic of a life in deep trouble: of overwork, of too much emphasis on a professional identity, of forgetting who will be there when our armored personalities run into the inevitable natural disasters and vulnerabilities found in even the most average existence.”

[…]

“But no matter the medicinal virtues of being a true friend or sustaining a long close relationship with another, the ultimate touchstone of friendship is not improvement, neither of the other nor of the self; the ultimate touchstone is witness, the privilege of having been seen by someone and the equal privilege of being granted the sight of the essence of another, to have walked with them and to have believed in them, and sometimes just to have accompanied them for however brief a span, on a journey impossible to accomplish alone.”

David Whyt

David Whyt on Community Quotes

David Whyte’s quote eloquently explores the profound significance of friendship in human life. He emphasizes that the true value of friendship is often underestimated, as it provides essential support and companionship during life’s challenges. Whyte suggests that a diminishing circle of friends can be indicative of deeper troubles, such as overwork or a loss of personal connection.

Furthermore, Whyte delves into the essence of friendship, noting that it goes beyond mere improvement or self-development. He highlights the importance of bearing witness to one another’s lives, sharing in each other’s joys and sorrows, and believing in each other’s essence. Ultimately, Whyte portrays friendship as a sacred bond that offers the privilege of being truly seen and understood by another human being—a gift that cannot be replicated or accomplished alone.

 

Kurt Vonnegut

“What should young people do with their lives today? Many things, obviously. But the most daring thing is to create stable communities in which the terrible disease of loneliness can be cured.”

Kurt Vonnegut, Palm Sunday: An Autobiographical Collage

Kurt Vonnegut on Community Quotes

Kurt Vonnegut’s quote underscores the importance of fostering meaningful connections and combating the pervasive issue of loneliness in society. He challenges young people to embark on the daring task of creating stable communities where individuals can find belonging and support. Vonnegut suggests that addressing the epidemic of loneliness requires proactive efforts to build strong social networks and nurturing environments where people can forge deep and lasting connections. This quote serves as a call to action for young people to prioritize community-building and cultivate spaces where individuals can thrive together, ultimately enriching both their own lives and the broader society.

 

English proverb

Birds of a feather flock together.”

English proverb, first citations appear in the 16th century

English proverb on Community Quotes

The English proverb “Birds of a feather flock together” succinctly captures the idea that individuals with similar interests, characteristics, or backgrounds tend to associate with one another. This saying, dating back to the 16th century, implies that people naturally gravitate towards others who share commonalities, whether in terms of personality traits, values, or social status. It reflects the tendency for like-minded individuals to form cohesive groups or communities, highlighting the role of similarity in fostering social connections and unity among individuals.

 

Aldous Huxley

“The function of the well-intentioned individual, acting in isolation, is to formulate or disseminate theoretical truths. The function of the well-intentioned individuals in association is to live in accordance with those truths, to demonstrate what happens when theory is translated into practice, to create small-scale working models of the better form of society to which the speculative idealist looks forward.”

Aldous Huxley, Ends and Means

Aldous Huxley on Community Quotes

Aldous Huxley’s quote delineates the differing roles of individuals working alone versus those working together towards societal improvement. He suggests that solitary individuals primarily contribute by conceptualizing or spreading theoretical ideas, while those united in associations enact and embody these theories in practical ways. Huxley underscores the importance of collaborative efforts in demonstrating the viability of theoretical concepts and creating tangible examples of a more desirable societal structure. This quote emphasizes the transformative power of collective action in bringing about meaningful change and realizing idealistic visions for a better world.

 

Christopher Dawson

“Culture was actually humanity’s attempt to extend the womb.”

Christopher Dawson

Christopher Dawson on Community Quotes

Christopher Dawson’s quote offers a thought-provoking perspective on the role of culture in human society. He suggests that culture serves as a collective endeavor to recreate the nurturing environment of the womb beyond the physical realm. By extending the metaphor of the womb, Dawson implies that culture provides a sense of security, belonging, and sustenance to individuals within a society. It reflects humanity’s innate desire for protection, comfort, and growth, which are symbolically manifested through cultural practices, traditions, and institutions. Overall, this quote invites contemplation on the profound psychological and social functions of culture in shaping human identity and fostering a sense of belonging and continuity across generations.

 

Aristotle

“Without friends, no one would want to live, even if he had all other goods.”

Aristotle, The Nicomachean Ethics

Aristotle on Community Quotes

Aristotle’s quote succinctly emphasizes the fundamental importance of friendship in human life. He suggests that friendships are so essential that even if an individual possessed all other material goods or accomplishments, life would still lack meaning or purpose without the presence of genuine companionship. This quote underscores the profound emotional and psychological fulfillment that friendships provide, highlighting their significance in contributing to human well-being and overall happiness. Aristotle’s perspective serves as a timeless reminder of the intrinsic value of meaningful relationships in enriching the human experience.

 

Jeffrey Archer

“Some people stand by you in your darkest hour while others walk away; only a select few march towards you and become even closer friends.”

Jeffrey Archer

Jeffrey Archer on Community Quotes

Jeffrey Archer’s quote poignantly illustrates the varying levels of support and loyalty individuals demonstrate during challenging times. He divides people into three categories based on their reactions to adversity: those who remain steadfast by your side, those who distance themselves, and a select few who actively seek to strengthen their bond with you. This quote emphasizes the rarity and significance of the individuals who not only stand by you during difficult moments but also deepen their connection with you, ultimately becoming cherished friends. Archer’s words highlight the importance of recognizing and appreciating the unwavering support of true friends during life’s darkest hours.