Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.

The value of beauty and inspiration is very much underrated, no question. But I want to be clear: I’m not trying to be anyone’s savior. I’m just trying to think about the future and not be sad.

Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be.

I just have an enthusiasm for life.

Feeling like you’re respected among the people who do the same thing you do is incredible and necessary.

I believe that one person can make a difference.

The man who has done his level best… is a success, even though the world may write him down a failure.

The faults of a superior person are like the sun and moon. They have their faults, and everyone sees them; they change and everyone looks up to them.

For the people who ostensibly wish me well or are worried about my immortal soul, I say I take it kindly.

I entered the diocesan seminary. I liked the Dominicans, and I had Dominican friends. But then I chose the Society of Jesus, which I knew well because the seminary was entrusted to the Jesuits. Three things in particular struck me about the Society: the missionary spirit, community and discipline.

The poor don’t know that their function in life is to exercise our generosity.

My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.

Your joy comes from how you think, the choices that we make in life.

If you can dream it, you can do it.

Indeed, it is as important to learn how to receive a blessing as it is to be willing to give one.

People respond when you tell them there is a great future in front of you, you can leave your past behind.

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.

We need to try to unite audiences, unite countries, join musical tastes, unite people.

Whatever you are, be a good one.

Remember, always give your best. Never get discouraged. Never be petty. Always remember, others may hate you. But those who hate you don’t win unless you hate them. And then you destroy yourself.

People want to feel hopeful.

Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair; the rest is in the hands of God.

Our greatness has always come from people who expect nothing and take nothing for granted – folks who work hard for what they have, then reach back and help others after them.

No one has ever become poor by giving.

Nature study will show you how full of beautiful and wonderful things God has made the world for you to enjoy. Be contented with what you have got and make the best of it. Look on the bright side of things instead of the gloomy one.

I’m not going to change the world. You’re not going to change the world. But we can help – we can all help.

Whatever possession we gain by our sword cannot be sure or lasting, but the love gained by kindness and moderation is certain and durable.

Stay humble and be concerned for the less fortunate.

To tax the community for the advantage of a class is not protection: it is plunder.

I’ve heard there are troubles of more than one kind; some come from ahead, and some come from behind. But I’ve brought a big bat. I’m all ready, you see; now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!

You were not created to just get by with an average, unrewarding, or unfulfilling life. God created you to leave your mark on this generation.

No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.

I thank God for my failures. Maybe not at the time but after some reflection. I never feel like a failure just because something I tried has failed.

We should give as we would receive, cheerfully, quickly, and without hesitation; for there is no grace in a benefit that sticks to the fingers.

A shady business never yields a sunny life.

Anything’s possible if you’ve got enough nerve.

I am for doing good to the poor, but I differ in opinion about the means. I think the best way of doing good to the poor is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it.

The government is us; we are the government, you and I.

If one is lucky, a solitary fantasy can totally transform one million realities.

I always tell young girls, surround yourself with goodness. I learned early on how to get the haters out of my life.

Whoever is spared personal pain must feel himself called to help in diminishing the pain of others. We must all carry our share of the misery which lies upon the world.

Only if you have been in the deepest valley, can you ever know how magnificent it is to be on the highest mountain.

What is true of the individual will be tomorrow true of the whole nation if individuals will but refuse to lose heart and hope.

We live in a world that has narrowed into a neighborhood before it has broadened into a brotherhood.

Off with you! You’re a happy fellow, for you’ll give happiness and joy to many other people. There is nothing better or greater than that!

If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.

Be a force of love as often as you can and turn away negative thoughts whenever you feel them surface.

What we think, we become.

Fun is good.

If the people are happy, united, wealthy, and powerful, we presume the rest. We conclude that to be good from whence good is derived.

Man’s nature is not essentially evil. Brute nature has been known to yield to the influence of love. You must never despair of human nature.

Look at the sky. We are not alone. The whole universe is friendly to us and conspires only to give the best to those who dream and work.

In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider.

Everybody likes a compliment.

You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.

If you are an American, you must allow all ideas to circulate freely in your community, not merely your own.

If in our daily life we can smile, if we can be peaceful and happy, not only we, but everyone will profit from it. This is the most basic kind of peace work.

In a long meter hymn, a singer – they call it ‚lays out a line.‘ And then the whole church joins in in repeating that line. And they form a wall of harmony so tight, you can’t wedge a pin between it.

I’ve never responded well to entrenched negative thinking.

We should be too big to take offense and too noble to give it.

We must concentrate not merely on the negative expulsion of war but the postive affirmation of peace.