Eugene V. Debs Quotes

Self-interest is but the survival of the animal in us. Humanity only begins for man with self-surrender.

Anywhere I see suffering, that is where I want to be, doing what I can.

Human life has meaning only to that degree and as long as it is lived in the service of humanity.

I thought to myself, there's a man who gave up his life to serve others - to touch people in that way is probably the greatest thing you can do as a human being.

You don't help people in your poems. I've been trying to help people all my life - that's my trouble.

What is a hero without love for mankind.

It is selfish to concern oneself with tragedies.

Nothing liberates our greatness like the desire to help, the desire to serve.

Whoever saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind

I resolve in future to live for mankind, as I have heretofore lived for myself.

If we do not lay out ourselves in the service of mankind should we serve?

In democratic ages men rarely sacrifice themselves for another, but they show a general compassion for all the human race. One never sees them inflict pointless suffering, and they are glad to relieve the sorrows of others when they can do so without much trouble to themselves. They are not disinterested, but they are gentle.

The more one forgets himself - by giving himself to a cause to serve or another person to love - the more human he is.

All missionaries, younger and older, serve with the sole hope of making life better for other people.

I have the kind of conscience that it doesn't feel right if I watch other people suffer and I do nothing about it.

I'm here on this planet to live in service to humanity.

Saving people, helping people, is just something I always wanted to do.

If we stop thinking of ourselves and only of helping others, you will start to see a dramatic improvement in the suffering we are all going through.

There never was any heart truly great and generous, that was not also tender and compassionate.

What's so touching is the way we fight the war right until the moment our business is taken care of and then we turn on a dime and we immediately start taking care of people. It's like a shock and aw shucks campaign.

Mother Teresa was asked what was the meaning of life, and she said to help other people, and I thought, 'What a strange thing to say' - but maybe it's the right thing to say.

There is a loftier ambition than merely to stand high in the world. It is to stoop down and lift mankind a little higher.

True religion... is giving and finding one's happiness by bringing happiness into the lives of others.

Mankind can be very magnanimous, given the chance.

The thing that lies at the foundation of positive change, the way I see it, is service to a fellow human being.