Quotes About Altruism

I've never been terribly interested in why people give, because their motivation is rarely what it seems to be, and it's almost never true altruism.

For a moment sitting there above the city, i imagined life outside of narcissism. I wondered how beautiful it might be to think of others as more important than myself. I wondered how peaceful it might be not to be pestered by that childish voice that wants for pleasure and attention. I wondered how it would be like not to live in a house of mirrors, everywhere i go being reminded of myself.

I heard once that real love doesn't ask what is in it for me; it just gives unconditionally. It just tries to take the weight out of somebody else's pack, lessen his load, and if it gets reciprocated, that's great, but that isn't what you did it for.

I talk about love, forgiveness, social justice; I rage against American materialism in the name of alturism, but have I even controlled my own heart? The overwhelming majority of time I spend thinking about myself, pleasing myself, reassuring myself, and when I am done there is nothing to spare for the needy. Six billion people live in this world, and I can only muster thoughts for one. Me.

Every human being wakes up each morning and sees the world through the lens of a protagonist. The world revolves around us, regardless of how altruistic, generous, and selfless a person we may be.

I talk about love, forgiveness, social justice; I rage against American materialism in the name of altruism, but have I even controlled my own heart? The overwhelming majority of time I spend thinking about myself, pleasing myself, reassuring myself, and when I am done there is nothing to spare for the needy.

El deseo innato de ser generoso. Ninguno de los deseos que he mencionado es malo. También es verdad que todos pueden potencialmente llevarse demasiado lejos, pero el hecho es que estamos diseñados para sobrevivir. Ahora bien, debiera consolarnos saber que la mayoría de los seres humanos tenemos un potencial tremendo para la generosidad.

Every human being wakes up each morning and sees the world through the lens of a protagonist. The world revolves around us, regardless of how altruistic, generous, and selfless a person we may be. Each day is, quite literally, about how we encounter our world. Potential customers feel the same way about themselves. They are the center of their world.

Those who realize the epic story of life is not about them but actually about the people around them somehow win in the end.

I liked the idea of loving people just to love them, not to get them to come to church.

Nieddu's gesture came of the same mysterious, irresistible urge to make things better for other people. For a relative, for a stranger: the urge to make things better was in our marrow.

Young people longed to change the world, regardless of the cost to themselves or others.

We are a nation of egoists. It is our glory, but it will be our destruction, for none of us can be made to concern ourselves about something as abstract as "the common good".

Brunetti remembered when they found themselves with an excessive catch, they chose to give it away, rather than watch it rot.

True charity never envies others when they prosper, nor rejoices in the calamities of others when they are in trouble.

I)f we are going to be kind, let it be out of simple generosity, not because we fear guilt or retribution.

Don't let people suffer! Don't let anyone be hurt! If you can help, then help! What about that is complicated?" Mari demanded. Alain thought about her words. "It is not complicated, but doing it might be…" What was the right word? "Difficult." "Yeah, well, that's me in a nutshell, isn't it?

Be an angel to someone else whenever you can, as a way of thanking God for the help your angel has given you. -Eileen Elias Freeman, The Angels' Little Instruction Book

There was a time in this country when you'd be considered a jerk if you passed by somebody in need. Now you're a fool for helping. -Mike McIntyre

During the Second World War, the good people of the great Mosque in Paris looked after many of the city's Jewish population, supplying them with Muslim identity certificates so they would not be taken away to concentration camps.

May I be a guard for those who need protection; a guide for those on the path; a boat, a raft, a bridge for those to cross the flood; may I be a lamp in the darkness; a resting place for the weary, and a healing medicine for all who are sick. For as long as Earth and sky endure, may I assist until all living beings are awakened.

Selfless men wind up in neglected graves.

What was love, anyway? he mused. She said it was caring, caring more about someone else than about yourself.

Nothing done in love that harms no one can be perverse.