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104 Mother Teresa Quotes on Giving & Kindness (LOVE)

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Top 12 Most Famous Mother Teresa Quotes to Inspire You

Live simply so others may simply live.
Live simply so others may simply live.
A life not lived for others is not a life.
A life not lived for others is not a life.
Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary
Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary
If you judge people, you have no time to love them.
If you judge people, you have no time to love them.
Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.
Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.
Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.
Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.
Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do... but how much love we put in that action.
Love begins at home, and it is not how much we do… but how much love we put in that action.
If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.
If you want to change the world, go home and love your family.
Peace begins with a smile. I will never understand all the good that a simple smile can accomplish.
Peace begins with a smile. I will never understand all the good that a simple smile can accomplish.
Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.
Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.
I know God won’t give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish he didn’t trust me so much.
I know God won’t give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish he didn’t trust me so much.
Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.
Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.

41 Best Mother Teresa Quotes on Loving, Serving, and Giving

Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.”

Mother Teresa
Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.
Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.
Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.
Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.
Intense love does not measure, it just gives.
Intense love does not measure, it just gives.
I never look at the masses as my responsibility. I look at the individual. I can love only one person at a time. I can feed only one person at a time. Just one, one, one.
I never look at the masses as my responsibility. I look at the individual. I can love only one person at a time. I can feed only one person at a time. Just one, one, one.
Joy is prayer; joy is strength; joy is love; joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.
Joy is prayer; joy is strength; joy is love; joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.
We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.
We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.

I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, he will not ask, ‘How many good things have you done in your life?’ rather he will ask, ‘How much love did you put into what you did?”

Mother Teresa
Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it.
Life is a song, sing it. Life is a struggle, accept it.
God doesn’t require us to succeed; he only requires that you try.
God doesn’t require us to succeed; he only requires that you try.
The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.
The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.
God has created us to love and to be loved, and this is the beginning of prayer-to know that He loves me, that I have been created for greater things.
God has created us to love and to be loved, and this is the beginning of prayer-to know that He loves me, that I have been created for greater things.
One of the greatest diseases is to be nobody to anybody.
One of the greatest diseases is to be nobody to anybody.
God does not create poverty; we do, because we do not share.
God does not create poverty; we do, because we do not share.
There is no key to happiness; the door is always open.
There is no key to happiness; the door is always open.
Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.
Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.
Prayer in action is love, love in action is service.
Prayer in action is love, love in action is service.

Smile at each other. Smile at your wife, smile at your husband, smile at your children, smile at each other – it doesn’t matter who it is – and that will help to grow up in greater love for each other.”

Mother Teresa
Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts.
Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts.
Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is a dream, realize it.
Life is an opportunity, benefit from it. Life is beauty, admire it. Life is a dream, realize it.
If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.
If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.
The miracle is not that we do this work, but that we are happy to do it.
The miracle is not that we do this work, but that we are happy to do it.
The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved.
The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved.
At the heart of silence is prayer. At the heart of prayer is faith. At the heart of faith is life. At the heart of life is service.
At the heart of silence is prayer. At the heart of prayer is faith. At the heart of faith is life. At the heart of life is service.
I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.
I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.

Our life of poverty is as necessary as the work itself. Only in heaven will we see how much we owe to the poor for helping us to love God better because of them.”

Mother Teresa
I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us, and we change things.
I used to believe that prayer changes things, but now I know that prayer changes us, and we change things.
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.
If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.
Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.
Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.
We do not need guns and bombs to bring peace, we need love and compassion.
We do not need guns and bombs to bring peace, we need love and compassion.
I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.
I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.
Spread the love of God through your life but only use words when necessary.
Spread the love of God through your life but only use words when necessary.

In the silence of the heart God speaks. If you face God in prayer and silence, God will speak to you. Then you will know that you are nothing. It is only when you realize your nothingness, your emptiness, that God can fill you with Himself. Souls of prayer are souls of great silence.”

Mother Teresa
There are many people who can do big things, but there are very few people who will do the small things.
There are many people who can do big things, but there are very few people who will do the small things.
Whenever you share love with others, you’ll notice the peace that comes to you and to them.
Whenever you share love with others, you’ll notice the peace that comes to you and to them.
If we want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.
If we want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.
I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.
I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.
If we really want to love we must learn how to forgive.
If we really want to love we must learn how to forgive.
Life is love, enjoy it. Life is mystery, know it. Life is a promise, fulfill it.
Life is love, enjoy it. Life is mystery, know it. Life is a promise, fulfill it.

Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work.”

Mother Teresa

51 Motivational Mother Teresa Quotes to Empower You (Kindness & Compassion)

At the end of life we will not be judged by how many diplomas we have received, how much money we have made, how many great things we have done. We will be judged by “I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was naked and you clothed me. I was homeless, and you took me in.”

Mother Teresa
Jesus said love one another. He didn’t say love the whole world.
Jesus said love one another. He didn’t say love the whole world.
Love cannot remain by itself – it has no meaning. Love has to be put into action, and that action is service.
Love cannot remain by itself – it has no meaning. Love has to be put into action, and that action is service.
Even the rich are hungry for love, for being cared for, for being wanted, for having someone to call their own.
Even the rich are hungry for love, for being cared for, for being wanted, for having someone to call their own.
Be happy in the moment, that’s enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.
Be happy in the moment, that’s enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.
Nothing makes you happier than when you really reach out in mercy to someone who is badly hurt.
Nothing makes you happier than when you really reach out in mercy to someone who is badly hurt.

Everybody today seems to be in such a terrible rush, anxious for greater developments and greater riches and so on, so that children have very little time for their parents. Parents have very little time for each other, and in the home begins the disruption of peace of the world.”

Mother Teresa
Never travel faster than your guardian angel can fly.
Never travel faster than your guardian angel can fly.
Good works are links that form a chain of love.
Good works are links that form a chain of love.
Do not worry about why problems exist in the world – just respond to people’s needs.
Do not worry about why problems exist in the world – just respond to people’s needs.
I'm a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world.
I’m a little pencil in the hand of a writing God, who is sending a love letter to the world.

It is easy to love the people far away. It is not always easy to love those close to us. It is easier to give a cup of rice to relieve hunger than to relieve the loneliness and pain of someone unloved in our own home. Bring love into your home for this is where our love for each other must start.”

Mother Teresa
I do not pray for success, I ask for faithfulness.
I do not pray for success, I ask for faithfulness.
I want you to be concerned about your next-door neighbor. Do you know your next-door neighbor?
I want you to be concerned about your next-door neighbor. Do you know your next-door neighbor?
Without patience, we will learn less in life. We will see less. We will feel less. We will hear less. Ironically, rush and more usually mean less.
Without patience, we will learn less in life. We will see less. We will feel less. We will hear less. Ironically, rush and more usually mean less.
If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are.
If you are humble nothing will touch you, neither praise nor disgrace, because you know what you are.
I try to give to the poor people for love what the rich could get for money. No, I wouldn’t touch a leper for a thousand pounds; yet I willingly cure him for the love of God.
I try to give to the poor people for love what the rich could get for money. No, I wouldn’t touch a leper for a thousand pounds; yet I willingly cure him for the love of God.

God made the world for the delight of human beings– if we could see His goodness everywhere, His concern for us, His awareness of our needs: the phone call we’ve waited for, the ride we are offered, the letter in the mail, just the little things He does for us throughout the day. As we remember and notice His love for us, we just begin to fall in love with Him because He is so busy with us — you just can’t resist Him. I believe there’s no such thing as luck in life, it’s God’s love, it’s His.”

Mother Teresa
Your true character is most accurately measured by how you treat those who can do ‘Nothing’ for you.
Your true character is most accurately measured by how you treat those who can do ‘Nothing’ for you.
Joy is a net of love in which you can catch souls.
Joy is a net of love in which you can catch souls.
The fruit of love is service, which is compassion in action.
The fruit of love is service, which is compassion in action.
It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish.
It is a poverty to decide that a child must die so that you may live as you wish.
I prefer you to make mistakes in kindness than work miracles in unkindness.
I prefer you to make mistakes in kindness than work miracles in unkindness.
Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go.
Let us not be satisfied with just giving money. Money is not enough, money can be got, but they need your hearts to love them. So, spread your love everywhere you go.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.
If you find happiness, people may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The success of love is in the loving – it is not in the result of loving. Of course it is natural in love to want the best for the other person, but whether it turns out that way or not does NOT determine the value of what we have done.”

Mother Teresa
Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand.
Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand.
There is a light in this world, a healing spirit more powerful than any darkness we may encounter.
There is a light in this world, a healing spirit more powerful than any darkness we may encounter.
Profound joy of the heart is like a magnet that indicates the path of life.
Profound joy of the heart is like a magnet that indicates the path of life.
Work without love is slavery.
Work without love is slavery.
I would rather make mistakes in kindness and compassion than work miracles in unkindness and hardness.
I would rather make mistakes in kindness and compassion than work miracles in unkindness and hardness.
Doctors can heal the body, but it is music that uplifts the spirit.
Doctors can heal the body, but it is music that uplifts the spirit.
How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers.
How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers.
Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.
Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.
Never be so busy as not to think of others.
Never be so busy as not to think of others.

There must be a reason why some people can afford to live well. They must have worked for it. I only feel angry when I see waste. When I see people throwing away things that we could use.”

Mother Teresa
Do you want to do something beautiful for God? There is a person who needs you. This is your chance.
Do you want to do something beautiful for God? There is a person who needs you. This is your chance.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight; build it anyway.
What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight; build it anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
Love to be real, it must cost—it must hurt—it must empty us of self.
Love to be real, it must cost—it must hurt—it must empty us of self.
People are unrealistic, illogical, and self-centered. Love them anyway.
People are unrealistic, illogical, and self-centered. Love them anyway.
We must make our homes centers of compassion and forgive endlessly.
We must make our homes centers of compassion and forgive endlessly.
The person who gives with a smile is the best giver because God loves a cheerful giver.
The person who gives with a smile is the best giver because God loves a cheerful giver.
We fear the future because we are wasting today.
We fear the future because we are wasting today.

Love is not patronizing and charity isn’t about pity, it is about love. Charity and love are the same — with charity you give love, so don’t just give money but reach out your hand instead.”

Mother Teresa
When you don’t have anything, then you have everything.
When you don’t have anything, then you have everything.
We have not come into the world to be numbered; we have been created for a purpose; for great things - to love and be loved.
We have not come into the world to be numbered; we have been created for a purpose; for great things – to love and be loved.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
Life is an adventure, dare it.
If we pray, we will believe; If we believe, we will love; If we love, we will serve.
If we pray, we will believe; If we believe, we will love; If we love, we will serve.
May God break my heart so completely that the whole world falls in.
May God break my heart so completely that the whole world falls in.

We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature – trees, flowers, grass- grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence… We need silence to be able to touch souls.”

Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa Short Biography

Born on 26 August 1910 in Üsküp, Kosovo Vilayet, Ottoman (present-day: Skopje, North Macedonia), Mother Mary Teresa Bojaxhiu (born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu) was an Albanian-Indian Roman Catholic nun and missionary.

Given honored in the Catholic Church as Saint Teresa of Calcutta in 2016, Mother Teresa was the founder of the Order of the Missionaries of Charity (a Roman Catholic congregation of women dedicated to helping the poor).

Since she was twelve years old, Teresa knew that she had to be a missionary to spread the love of Christ one day.

As soon as she turned 18, She left her parental home in Skopje to go to Dublin, Ireland to join the Sisters of Loreto. After a few months of training, she took her initial vows as a nun on 24 May 1931 and was sent to India for missions where she lived most of her life.

Further reading:

Here are the best Mother Teresa quotes so you can be inspired to show compassion, give, love, share, serve, and forgive others.

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Mother Teresa Quotes on Giving & Kindness (LOVE) - Gracious Quotes