Jean Vanier Quotes

Are we truly being our sisters' keepers? Initially, that dog-eat-dog mentality within us may bark and say that we aren't responsible for other people, but if that was truly the case, then why are we even here? We have so much to offer and give to this world.

To help all created things, that is the measure of all our responsibility; to be helped by all, that is the measure of our hope.

Nothing makes one feel so strong as a call for help.

Among us, who is above must be in service of the others. This doesn't mean we have to wash each other's feet every day, but we must help one another.

The Minnesota spirit of compassion and help for people in need has moved countless Minnesotans to step forward to provide relief for the survivors of Hurricane Katrina.

I think the point of our country, our planet, the reason we're all here, one of the best things that we can do is be concerned about something even when it doesn't concern us. That's the whole point.

We are strong enough to bear the misfortunes of others.

Clevelanders care about underdogs, partly because we are, partly because we have empathy, and we're - we have faith in our God and faith in humanity, and that makes us support the underdog.

The best rule for philanthropy is to give until it hurts, as much as you can, because none of us can get through life all by ourselves.

For every hate-filled attempt to harm, there will be always the legion of those who do not hesitate to give their help and care to a stranger when it is needed.

After all is said and done and institutions fail, people still have some ability to care for each other.

If a hiker gets lost in the mountains, people will coordinate a search. If a train crashes, people will line up to give blood. If an earthquake levels a city, people all over the world will send emergency supplies. This is so fundamentally human that it's found in every culture without exception. Yes, there are assholes who just don't care, but they're massively outnumbered by the people who do.

Real strength has to do with helping others.

If we don't stand up for others, who will be left to stand up for us?

We bear, all of us, the misfortunes of other people with heroic constancy.

Everybody needs a helping hand, take a look at your fellow man.

We are at our best when we help the weakest. The weak make us strong.

It's a hurtful place, the world, in and of itself. We don't need to add to it. And we're in a place now where we all need one another, and it's going to get rougher.

If you have enough strength to help yourself, you have enough strength to help those in need. Never pass up an opportunity.

When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, 'Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'

It helps me when I help people.

With all the things I've been through, the No. 1 thing that I've learned is that we're supposed to help people through this world.

As we work to reweave the strands of connection, we can be supported by the wisdom and lovingkindness of others.

I have vanity and greed enough for one person. But at the same time, I feel in my bones you lose a lot of life's value if you don't see yourself as a member of the family of man.

I think the idea that you can go this alone is - was a huge mistake. And unfortunately, there was a price paid in terms of suffering and pain for people in New Orleans.