There is no denying that the world is in a state of chaos. But amidst all the turmoil, there are moments of hope and inspiration.
Here are some of our favorite humanitarian quotes to help remind us that we can make a difference — great for celebrating World Humanitarian Day and every day.
We hope they provide you with some much-needed motivation during these challenging times.
Powerful Quotes from Famous Humanitarians
“When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful.”
— Malala Yousafzai
“It’s not about giving bread to orphans. It’s about building a bakery that can fit an orphanage and sell bread in the city.”
— Chef José Andrés
“A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of.”
— Nelson Mandela
“Do your little bit of good where you are; it is those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
— Archbishop Desmond Tutu
“The world is more malleable than you think, and it's waiting for you to hammer it into shape.”
— Bono
“Every action, no matter how small, is like drips on a rock—over time, they can carve a canyon through even the thickest, most immovable layer of rock.”
— Shannon Watts, founder of Moms Demand Action
“I do have reasons for hope: our clever brains, the resilience of nature, the indomitable human spirit, and above all, the commitment of young people when they’re empowered to take action.”
— Jane Goodall
“If you can’t feed a hundred people, feed just one.”
— Mother Teresa
“The need is great and so are the opportunities to make a difference.”
— Paul Newman
“Don’t expect change to happen overnight, even if it’s not always visible it’s making more impact than you think.”
— Emma Watson
“You don’t change the world with the ideas in your mind, but with the conviction in your heart.”
— Bryan Stevenson
“Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a better person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.”
— Martin Luther King Jr.
“You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.”
— Mahatma Gandhi
“Optimism doesn’t mean that you are blind to the reality of the situation. It means that you remain motivated to seek a solution to whatever problems arise.”
— The Dalai Lama
“We must peacefully use the power of our voices and the strength of our numbers to demand changes in the judicial system so that brutality doesn't ever go unpunished.”
— Kim Kardashian
“It is a joy to be an artist, but it doesn't mean very much unless that work is somehow useful in some way and contributes to others.”
— Angelina Jolie
“We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It's easy to say 'It's not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.' Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.”
— Fred Rogers
Looking for more? Check out these quotes about humanity.
