John Stuart Mill Quotes

There is but on virtue--the eternal sacrifice of self.

I always put myself second - I like to make others happy.

Service which is rendered without joy helps neither the servant nor the served. But all other pleasures and possessions pale into nothingness before service which is rendered in a spirit of joy.

To desire and strive to be of some service to the world, to aim at doing something which shall really increase the happiness and welfare and virtue of mankind - this is a choice which is possible for all of us; and surely it is a good haven to sail for.

The secret of happiness is: Find something more important than you are and dedicate your life to it.

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

My whole religion is this: do every duty, and expect no reward for it, either here or hereafter.

Women are, I think, moved by the idea that self-sacrifice is noble and can be the source of great joy.

There are things that are more important than my personal happiness.

I often long to . . . give up my life to love of my neighbour. This is really a temptation.

A life of sacrifice is the pinnacle of art, and is full of true joy.

Love not only prefers the good of another to my own, but it does not even compare the two.

He who gives money gives some, he who gives time gives more, and he who gives of himself gives all.

Sacrifice may be a flower that virtue will pluck on its road, but it was not to gather this flower that virtue set forth on its travels.

I start every day by wanting more for others than I do for myself. I think that is how God works, and that is how I think we have to work.

Some day you will find out that there is far more happiness in another's happiness than in your own.

If what makes you happy is going out and living it up and spending all your money on wine, women, and song, the world doesn't need that. But on the other hand, if you give your life to good works - you go and work in a leper colony and it doesn't make you happy - the chances are you're not doing it very well.

I'd been willing to kill for the people I loved for a very long time; now I had to start living for them.

I am astonished at the pleasure one experiences in doing good; and I should be tempted to believe that what we call virtuous people have not so much merit as they lead us to suppose.

Those who are willing to sacrifice and be of service have very little difficulty with people. They know what they are all about. People can't help but want to be near them. They help them; they work with them. That's what love is all about. It starts with your heart and radiates out.

I loved her enough to forget myself, my self pitying despairs, and be content that something she thought happy was going to happen.

Selfish— a judgment readily passed by those who have never tested their own power of sacrifice.

Being selfless is not that different from being brave. It is when you are selfless that you are the bravest.

Self-sacrifice is essential to leadership. You will give, give all the time.

Quit praying about yourself and spend your life for the sake of others as the bondservant of Jesus. That is the true meaning of being broken bread and poured-out wine in real life.