--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: . . . to serve so selflessly, you have to…" description: "\"“. . . to serve so selflessly, you have to subdue something in yourself.”\" — Allison Pearson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd1/allison-pearson-10663_serve_to-serve-so-selflessly-you-have-to-subdu_1759706.png" --- # . . . to serve so selflessly, you have to subdue something… ![“. . . to serve so selflessly, you have to subdue something in yourself.” quote by Allison Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd1/allison-pearson-10663_serve_to-serve-so-selflessly-you-have-to-subdu_1759706.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd1/allison-pearson-10663_serve_to-serve-so-selflessly-you-have-to-subdu_1759706.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd1/allison-pearson-10663_serve_to-serve-so-selflessly-you-have-to-subdu_1759706.png) > ““. . . to serve so selflessly, you have to subdue something in yourself.”” [Allison Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-pearson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Selfless service requires personal sacrifice, implying that true generosity involves curbing selfish impulses. **In simple terms:** Serve by restraining self‑interest. Key Takeaway Practice humility in helping others. Themes service humility self‑sacrifice Mood empathetic serious Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - volunteering - team leadership - community work Key Concepts ethical philosophy psychology Questions to Reflect On - What personal boundaries must you keep? - How do you balance self‑care with service? A Different Perspective Excessive self‑denial can lead to burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Subdue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/subdue/) ## Related quotes > [Everyone in the world should sleep without fear at least for one night, sleep without fear. Everyone in the world should eat to their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mata-amritanandamayi/everyone-in-the-world-should-sleep-without-fear-at-least-for-one/) [Mata Amritanandamayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mata-amritanandamayi/) > [Subdue your passion or it will subdue you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/horace/subdue-your-passion-or-it-will-subdue-you/) [Horace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/horace/) > [Common sense will tell us, that the power which hath endeavoured to subdue us, is of all others, the most improper to defend us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/common-sense-will-tell-us-that-the-power-which-hath-endeavoured-to/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [“To resist and subdue Nature is to make for one's self a personal and imperishable life: it is to break free from the vicissitudes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleister-crowley/to-resist-and-subdue-nature-is-to-make-for-one-s-self-a-personal-and/) [Aleister Crowley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleister-crowley/) > [No confict is so severe as his who labors to subdue himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-a-kempis/no-confict-is-so-severe-as-his-who-labors-to-subdue-himself/) [Thomas a Kempis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-a-kempis/) > [“. . . the sole aim of Okinawa Karate is to teach A person to handle violence and violent individuals; whether it is tactile, mental or spiritual”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/soke-behzad-ahmadi/the-sole-aim-of-okinawa-karate-is-to-teach-a-person-to-handle/) [Soke Behzad Ahmadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/soke-behzad-ahmadi/) > [“To subdue matter is the first step; to realize the ideal is the second.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/to-subdue-matter-is-the-first-step-to-realize-the-ideal-is-the-second/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [“Any time someone gives you drugs, the purpose is to subdue. Always. Whether it is from a dealer, a friend, your mother/brother/sister/son, or your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/northern-adams/any-time-someone-gives-you-drugs-the-purpose-is-to-subdue-always/) [Northern Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/northern-adams/) > [Only a habit can subdue another habit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/og-mandino/only-a-habit-can-subdue-another-habit/) [Og Mandino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/og-mandino/) > [“We subdue that in others which we have learned to subdue in ourselves. Around the upright man there is drawn a wide circle of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-maeterlinck/we-subdue-that-in-others-which-we-have-learned-to-subdue-in-ourselves/) [Maurice Maeterlinck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-maeterlinck/) > [In vain he seeketh others to suppress, Who hath not learn'd himself first to subdue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-spenser/in-vain-he-seeketh-others-to-suppress-who-hath-not-learn-d-himself/) [Edmund Spenser](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-spenser/) > [“She walked away without bothering to look further. She knew he’d be fine. Her specialty was subduing without causing any real damage. He’d lie…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francine-pascal/she-walked-away-without-bothering-to-look-further-she-knew-he-d-be/) [Francine Pascal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francine-pascal/) > [“Subdue. Fruitfulness, increase, and filling lead naturally to the end result of subduing. To subdue means “to dominate or control,” not in the negative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myles-munroe/subdue-fruitfulness-increase-and-filling-lead-naturally-to-the-end/) [Myles Munroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myles-munroe/) > [“Don't be in temper, to leave so quickly, that I may be dying. But all too soon, the leaves and debris will gather elsewhere.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-liccione/don-t-be-in-temper-to-leave-so-quickly-that-i-may-be-dying-but-all/) [Anthony Liccione](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-liccione/) > [“When people’s parallel truth collides with their real truth, they may have a hard time in subduing all the fanciful items and characters of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/erik-pevernagie/when-people-s-parallel-truth-collides-with-their-real-truth-they-may/) [Erik Pevernagie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/erik-pevernagie/) ## More by Allison Pearson > [“Women used to have time to make mince pies and had to fake orgasms. Now we can manage the orgasms, but we have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-pearson/women-used-to-have-time-to-make-mince-pies-and-had-to-fake-orgasms/) [Allison Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-pearson/) > [Women now influence the majority of consumer purchases. It is women's votes that will secure victory at the next election, hence the altogether delicious…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-pearson/women-now-influence-the-majority-of-consumer-purchases-it-is-women-s/) [Allison Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-pearson/) > [“One of the best things about having children is that it enables you to have the same loving memories as another person - you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-pearson/one-of-the-best-things-about-having-children-is-that-it-enables-you/) [Allison Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-pearson/) > [“The way I look at it, women in the City are like first-generation immigrants. You get off the boat, you keep your eyes down,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-pearson/the-way-i-look-at-it-women-in-the-city-are-like-first-generation/) [Allison Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-pearson/) > [“Being your slave, what should I do but tend Upon the hours and times of your desire? I have no precious time at all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-pearson/being-your-slave-what-should-i-do-but-tend-upon-the-hours-and-times/) [Allison Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-pearson/) > [My husband is old-fashioned and kind, he does the greatest Sinatra impression, and I'd never have written anything if he hadn't read all those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-pearson/my-husband-is-old-fashioned-and-kind-he-does-the-greatest-sinatra/) [Allison Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-pearson/) > [“She laughed now, and the sound of it--clear as a bell, dirty as a rugby match--turned heads all along their row.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-pearson/she-laughed-now-and-the-sound-of-it-clear-as-a-bell-dirty-as-a-rugby/) [Allison Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-pearson/) > [“‎"There is an easy standoff between the two kinds of mother which sometimes makes it hard for us to talk to each other. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-pearson/there-is-an-easy-standoff-between-the-two-kinds-of-mother-which/) [Allison Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-pearson/) > [Going through puberty, that Cape Canaveral of the hormones, young girls are in love with the idea of being in love, trying it out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-pearson/going-through-puberty-that-cape-canaveral-of-the-hormones-young-girls/) [Allison Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-pearson/) > [When we talk about women's struggle to balance their lives, certain men growl, 'If you can't stand the heat, get back to the kitchen.'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-pearson/when-we-talk-about-women-s-struggle-to-balance-their-lives-certain/) [Allison Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-pearson/) > [I'm interested in the things that might seem slight or amusing but which I feel have a kind of profundity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-pearson/i-m-interested-in-the-things-that-might-seem-slight-or-amusing-but/) [Allison Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-pearson/) > [Children are the proof we've been here . . . they're where we go to when we die. They're the best thing and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-pearson/children-are-the-proof-we-ve-been-here-they-re-where-we-go-to-when-we/) [Allison Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-pearson/) > [I've struggled with depression, and the signs that I was falling apart - having heart palpitations at 4 A.M. - were there for a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-pearson/i-ve-struggled-with-depression-and-the-signs-that-i-was-falling-apart/) [Allison Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-pearson/) > [When you're young your mother shields you from the world because she thinks you're too young to understand, and when she's old you shield…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-pearson/when-you-re-young-your-mother-shields-you-from-the-world-because-she/) [Allison Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-pearson/) > [God probably thinks it’s worth giving a sense of humor only to those of us who have to laugh at all the rubbish bits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-pearson/god-probably-thinks-it-s-worth-giving-a-sense-of-humor-only-to-those/) [Allison Pearson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-pearson/) [Explore all 64 Allison Pearson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-pearson/) ## More Serve quotes > [Some shows just go away - and that's fine. They serve their purpose and their entertainment value, but there are shows that touch people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cudlitz/some-shows-just-go-away-and-that-s-fine-they-serve-their-purpose-and/) [Michael Cudlitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cudlitz/) > [“Serve in the grace of strength within thy soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lailah-gifty-akita/serve-in-the-grace-of-strength-within-thy-soul/) [Lailah Gifty Akita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lailah-gifty-akita/) > [To serve does not mean to surrender but to share.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-joshua-heschel/to-serve-does-not-mean-to-surrender-but-to-share/) [Abraham Joshua Heschel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-joshua-heschel/) > [You can’t be a successful leader or mentor until you have served. You can’t serve until you have stepped out of your comfort zone.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-courtney/you-can-t-be-a-successful-leader-or-mentor-until-you-have-served-you/) [Bill Courtney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-courtney/) > [I've always wanted my music to serve a certain purpose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/india-arie/i-ve-always-wanted-my-music-to-serve-a-certain-purpose/) [India Arie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/india-arie/) > [There's always one shot that I can rely on when I'm not hitting the ball that well, is my serve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-sampras/there-s-always-one-shot-that-i-can-rely-on-when-i-m-not-hitting-the/) [Pete Sampras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-sampras/) > [It has always been my plan not to serve more than two terms.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-demint/it-has-always-been-my-plan-not-to-serve-more-than-two-terms/) [Jim DeMint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-demint/) > [Sir, what does it matter whom I serve, so long as I am right?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pierre-corneille/sir-what-does-it-matter-whom-i-serve-so-long-as-i-am-right/) [Pierre Corneille](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pierre-corneille/) > [At the most fundamental level, it is an honor to serve - at whatever type or size of organization you are privileged to lead,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-mulally/at-the-most-fundamental-level-it-is-an-honor-to-serve-at-whatever/) [Alan Mulally](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-mulally/) > [The church is never a place to show off. Do your good deeds quietly. Serve; don't seek to be seen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/the-church-is-never-a-place-to-show-off-do-your-good-deeds-quietly/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Jos 24:15 ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-houge/but-as-for-me-and-my-house-we-will-serve-the-lord-jos-24-15/) [Adam Houge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-houge/) > [I wanted to serve. It was Desert Storm. I thought, 'I was a rich kid, and America's been good to me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-brooks/i-wanted-to-serve-it-was-desert-storm-i-thought-i-was-a-rich-kid-and/) [Max Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-brooks/) > [I was taught from a young age that I had to serve, so that turned into me thinking I had to save the planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alanis-morissette/i-was-taught-from-a-young-age-that-i-had-to-serve-so-that-turned-into/) [Alanis Morissette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alanis-morissette/) > [We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness... We are the Lord’s hands here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/we-are-surrounded-by-those-in-need-of-our-attention-our-encouragement/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [For women, the important ingredients for happiness are to forge an identity, serve the Lord, get an education, develop your talents, serve your family,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-e-faust/for-women-the-important-ingredients-for-happiness-are-to-forge-an/) [James E. Faust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-e-faust/) Browse all 1,203 Serve quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“. . . to serve so selflessly, you have to subdue something in yourself.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Allison Pearson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-pearson/to-serve-so-selflessly-you-have-to-subdue-something-in-yourself/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Serve" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-pearson/to-serve-so-selflessly-you-have-to-subdue-something-in-yourself/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd1/allison-pearson-10663_serve_to-serve-so-selflessly-you-have-to-subdu_1759706.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd1/allison-pearson-10663_serve_to-serve-so-selflessly-you-have-to-subdu_1759706.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/dd1/allison-pearson-10663_serve_to-serve-so-selflessly-you-have-to-subdu_1759706.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“. . . to serve so selflessly, you have to subdue something in yourself.” — Allison Pearson", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Allison Pearson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allison-pearson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“. . . to serve so...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-pearson/to-serve-so-selflessly-you-have-to-subdue-something-in-yourself/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allison-pearson/to-serve-so-selflessly-you-have-to-subdue-something-in-yourself/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```