21 Quotes to Inspire You to Volunteer

At forgood, we know how a little inspiration can go a long way. Sometimes, when you're looking to make the world a better place, we look to the words of those who came before us and did it themselves. To us, volunteering isn't just something that you do, but it's the way forward. To better bridge that gap between the rich and the poor, we need to offer our skills, our time, the goods we no longer need and our love to those who need it most. To inspire you to be the change that we all need to see in the world today, we've collected 21 inspirational quotes from 21 people who said it best.

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

- Mahatma Ghandi

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

- Margaret Mead

"As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands — one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.”

- Audrey Hepburn

“If our hopes of building a better and safer world are to become more than wishful thinking, we will need the engagement of volunteers more than ever.”

- Kofi Annan

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they have the heart.”

- Elizabeth Andrew

"Life's most persistant and urgent question is, What are you doing for others?"

- Martin Luther King Jr.

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”

- William Shakespeare

“Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can.”

- Arthur Ashe

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.”

- William James

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

- Dr. Seuss

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

- Winston Churchill

“There is no better exercise for your heart than reaching down and helping to lift someone up.”

- Bernard Meltzer

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”

- Anne Frank

“The sun is never denied the light it gives; likewise, you are never denied the kindness you bestow.”

- Matshona Dhliwayo

"The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention."

- Oscar Wilde

"No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted."

- Aesop

"Never underestimate your ability to make someone else's life better - even if you never know it."

- Greg Louganis

"Being good is commendable, but only when it is combined with doing good is it useful."

- Stephen King

"Love cannot remain by itself - it has no meaning. Love has to be put into action, and that action is service."

- Mother Teresa

"You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson

"There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time & energy to help others without expecting anything in return."

- Nelson Mandela

If you find yourself feeling inspired, head over to forgood to find an Opportunity to help someone in need. If you already know what you can give of yourself, create an Offer to do so!

Visit forgood, SA’s largest volunteering and donation platformSubscribe to our Volunteering and Social Impact Newsletter