Mark Twain Quotes

Successful people are always looking for opportunities to help others. Unsuccessful people are always asking, 'What's in it for me?'

I don't know if it's ever OK for someone to be selfish. Perhaps there's a time and place to be self-centered, but I think selfish never wins the race.

I'd rather have happiness than money. People ask for it. Sometimes when I don't have it. I make other people's problems my problem because they want me to; they ask me to.

The major forces in human nature: self interest and caring for others

It's good to be authentic, to help other people, but if it's not helping other people, then don't do it.

When you get on the boat that's saving you, don't pull up the ladder behind you

I'm a really selfish person. But I would do anything for my friends.

Good character consists of recognizing the selfishness that inheres in each of us and trying to balance it against the altruism to which we should all aspire. It is a difficult balance to strike, but no definition of goodness can be complete without it.

The highest of distinctions is service to others.

For how many things, which for our own sake we should never do, do we perform for the sake of our friends.

Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.

I try to be a good person every day. If you didn't like me, there would be something wrong with you, because I really go out and work as hard as I can to help people. I put myself last - always. I'm a giver all the way.

I don't know why we choose to reach out to help another person, or why we decide that we can't, and withdraw and try to care only for ourselves, but I'm fascinated by that choice.

Friendship is but another name for an alliance with the follies and the misfortunes of others. Our own share of miseries is sufficient: why enter then as volunteers into those of another?

My mom really inspired me. She has always taught me it's not about us, it's about what we can give back.

There's no such thing as altruism.

You need an attitude of service. You're not just serving yourself. You help others to grow up and you grow with them.

I believe that every human mind feels pleasure in doing good to another.

Good people don't spend their time being good. Good people want to spend their time mowing the lawn and playing with the dog. But bad people spend all their time being bad. It is all they think about.

This idea of selfishness as a virtue, as opposed to generosity: That, to me, is unnatural.

It's joyful to give. But for people who want to take advantage of you, you're kind of an easy mark.

I think I'm still figuring out how to be a little less selfish.

Every forward is selfish, and any forward who tells you he is not selfish is a liar.

I recognize that I have the ability to be selfish, but I also recognize that you can't be happy if you only care about yourself at the expense of other people.

To help a friend in need is easy, but to give him your time is not always opportune.