If I seem to boast more than is becoming, my excuse is that I brag for humanity rather than for myself.

Well, I think we tried very hard not to be overconfident, because when you get overconfident, that’s when something snaps up and bites you.

Sadly, the truth is, there aren’t many people who can be put in high positions who won’t start thinking highly of themselves.

If one has the answers to all the questions – that is the proof that God is not with him. It means that he is a false prophet using religion for himself. The great leaders of the people of God, like Moses, have always left room for doubt. You must leave room for the Lord, not for our certainties; we must be humble.

Three passions, simple but overwhelmingly strong, have governed my life: the longing for love, the search for knowledge, and unbearable pity for the suffering of mankind.

The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty, and all forms of human life.

I refuse to allow any man-made differences to separate me from any other human beings.

All of us are guinea pigs in the laboratory of God. Humanity is just a work in progress.

A great poet is the most precious jewel of a nation.

War may sometimes be a necessary evil. But no matter how necessary, it is always an evil, never a good. We will not learn how to live together in peace by killing each other’s children.

What really motivates people at Facebook is building stuff that they’re proud of.

The work an unknown good man has done is like a vein of water flowing hidden underground, secretly making the ground green.

We rarely confide in those who are better than we are.

I desire to press forward for direction to my Master in all things; but as to trusting to my own obedience and righteousness, I should be worse than a fool and ten times worse than a madman.

Such is the feebleness of humanity, such is its perversity, that doubtless it is better for it to be subject to all possible superstitions, as long as they are not murderous, than to live without religion.

A man without ethics is a wild beast loosed upon this world.

I mean, when you grow up in the inner city and you grow up in a single-parent household, that’s – those are humbling times, you know?

The high destiny of the individual is to serve rather than to rule.

The progress of India is the destiny of one-sixth of humanity. And it will also mean a world more confident of its prosperity and more secure about its future.

The men and women of Afghanistan are building a nation that is free, and proud, and fighting terror – and America is honored to be their friend.

He who knows best knows how little he knows.

Noble deeds that are concealed are most esteemed.

It is more agreeable to have the power to give than to receive.

The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive.

A little bit of mercy makes the world less cold and more just.

I have this feeling that the world is not in balance. And people are afraid, but we’re also starting to be really brave.

I particularly admire are Mark Twain and Jerome K. Jerome who wrote in a certain tone of voice which was humane and understanding of humanity, but always ready to annotate its little foibles. I think I’d lay my cards down on that, and say that it’s that that I’m trying to do.

There is a danger that threatens everyone in the church, all of us. The danger of worldliness. It leads us to vanity, arrogance and pride.

I’m no leader; I’m a little humble follower.

Start with God – the first step in learning is bowing down to God; only fools thumb their noses at such wisdom and learning.

I’m the greatest thing that ever lived! I’m the king of the world! I’m a bad man. I’m the prettiest thing that ever lived.

Humanity at the centre of the primates, Homo sapiens, in humanity, is the end-product of a gradual work of creation, the successive sketches for which still surround us on every side.

A person’s a person, no matter how small.

The first question which the priest and the Levite asked was: ‚If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?‘ But… the good Samaritan reversed the question: ‚If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?‘

Life becomes harder for us when we live for others, but it also becomes richer and happier.

Love grows by giving. The love we give away is the only love we keep. The only way to retain love is to give it away.

Things that I felt absolutely sure of but a few years ago, I do not believe now. This thought makes me see more clearly how foolish it would be to expect all men to agree with me.

Giving is better than receiving because giving starts the receiving process.

I see Americans of every party, every background, every faith who believe that we are stronger together: black, white, Latino, Asian, Native American; young, old; gay, straight; men, women, folks with disabilities, all pledging allegiance under the same proud flag to this big, bold country that we love. That’s what I see. That’s the America I know!

People say maybe we have a soul and chimpanzees don’t. I feel that it’s quite possible that if we have souls, chimpanzees have souls as well.

Anger is the enemy of non-violence and pride is a monster that swallows it up.

There’s a deceptive sin that can keep us from walking in love: pride. It’s deceptive because when you have pride, you’re usually too proud to admit it. I know this because I used to have teachings on pride and they didn’t sell well.

I don’t think you get successful to brag and throw what you have in the world’s face. That’s all private.

Use power to help people. For we are given power not to advance our own purposes nor to make a great show in the world, nor a name. There is but one just use of power and it is to serve people.

If a man is proud of his wealth, he should not be praised until it is known how he employs it.

I’m not claiming divinity. I’ve never claimed purity of soul. I’ve never claimed to have the answers to life. I only put out songs and answer questions as honestly as I can… But I still believe in peace, love and understanding.

Of all virtues and dignities of the mind, goodness is the greatest, being the character of the Deity; and without it, man is a busy, mischievous, wretched thing.

To walk through the ruined cities of Germany is to feel an actual doubt about the continuity of civilization.

Never let your ego get so close to your position that when your position goes, your ego goes with it.

Right now, when we’re hearing so much disturbing and hateful rhetoric, it is so important to remember that our diversity has been – and will always be – our greatest source of strength and pride here in the United States.

People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.

How wonderful it is to be an American. We have known the best of times and the worst of times.

The most satisfying thing in life is to have been able to give a large part of one’s self to others.

Jesus is the God whom we can approach without pride and before whom we can humble ourselves without despair.

What humility does for one is it reminds us that there are people before me. I have already been paid for. And what I need to do is prepare myself so that I can pay for someone else who has yet to come but who may be here and needs me.

I have never yet seen any plan which has not been mended by the observations of those who were much inferior in understanding to the person who took the lead in the business.

My upbringing in Canada made me the person I am. I will always be proud to be a Canadian.

We really have to understand the person we want to love. If our love is only a will to possess, it is not love. If we only think of ourselves, if we know only our own needs and ignore the needs of the other person, we cannot love.

They might not need me; but they might. I’ll let my head be just in sight; a smile as small as mine might be precisely their necessity.

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.

We are the first species capable of self-annihilation.