--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: A life is not worth much of which it…" description: "\"A life is not worth much of which it cannot be said, when it comes to its close, that it was helpful to humanity.\" — Booker T. Washington" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c90/booker-t-washington-2277_helpful_a-life-is-not-worth-much-of-which-it-can_2468776.png" --- # A life is not worth much of which it cannot be said, when… ![“A life is not worth much of which it cannot be said, when it comes to its close, that it was helpful to humanity.” quote by Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c90/booker-t-washington-2277_helpful_a-life-is-not-worth-much-of-which-it-can_2468776.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c90/booker-t-washington-2277_helpful_a-life-is-not-worth-much-of-which-it-can_2468776.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c90/booker-t-washington-2277_helpful_a-life-is-not-worth-much-of-which-it-can_2468776.png) > “A life is not worth much of which it cannot be said, when it comes to its close, that it was helpful to humanity.” [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A life lacking contribution to humanity is of little value, emphasizing service as life's measure. **In simple terms:** Helpfulness defines life's worth. Key Takeaway Seek to help others. Themes service legacy humanity meaning Mood inspirational thoughtful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - career - volunteering - legacy planning - social impact Key Concepts altruism purpose Questions to Reflect On - How do you define a meaningful life? - What small acts count as service? A Different Perspective Measuring worth solely by impact can be harsh. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Humanity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity/) [Inspirational life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational-life/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) ## Related quotes > [I want people to remember me as someone whose life has been helpful to humanity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-sankara/i-want-people-to-remember-me-as-someone-whose-life-has-been-helpful/) [Thomas Sankara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-sankara/) > [The good Lord didn't create anything without a purpose, but the fly comes close.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/the-good-lord-didn-t-create-anything-without-a-purpose-but-the-fly/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [...there is little that comes so close to death as fulfilled love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ivan-klima/there-is-little-that-comes-so-close-to-death-as-fulfilled-love/) [Ivan Klíma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ivan-klima/) > [“A newspaper story, like anything else, is more attractive from a distance, when it first comes to you, than it is when you get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-dexter/a-newspaper-story-like-anything-else-is-more-attractive-from-a/) [Pete Dexter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-dexter/) > [Religion is "so absurd that it comes close to imbecility."](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/h-l-mencken/religion-is-so-absurd-that-it-comes-close-to-imbecility/) [H. L. Mencken](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/h-l-mencken/) > [I'm inclined to vote for Roberts unless something else comes up. It's a close call.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-baucus/i-m-inclined-to-vote-for-roberts-unless-something-else-comes-up-it-s/) [Max Baucus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-baucus/) > [If your friend goes to a far place, that far place comes close to you!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mehmet-murat-ildan/if-your-friend-goes-to-a-far-place-that-far-place-comes-close-to-you/) [Mehmet Murat Ildan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mehmet-murat-ildan/) > [An idea comes as close to something for nothing as you can get.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-frost/an-idea-comes-as-close-to-something-for-nothing-as-you-can-get/) [Robert Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-frost/) > [A man comes to a close contact with a lot of people in this earth,some of it may create a bond of attachment with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mofazzal-h-pavel/a-man-comes-to-a-close-contact-with-a-lot-of-people-in-this-earth/) Mofazzal H Pavel > [The circus comes as close to being the world in microcosm as anything I know; in a way, it puts all the rest of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-b-white/the-circus-comes-as-close-to-being-the-world-in-microcosm-as-anything/) [E. 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To this day, for all that has been written about him, I don't believe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edwin-catmull/i-worked-closely-with-steve-jobs-for-twenty-six-years-to-this-day-for/) [Edwin Catmull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edwin-catmull/) > [The argument from improbability, properly deployed, comes close to proving that God does not exist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-dawkins/the-argument-from-improbability-properly-deployed-comes-close-to/) [Richard Dawkins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-dawkins/) > [There's no one that comes close to you could ever take your place.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-urban/there-s-no-one-that-comes-close-to-you-could-ever-take-your-place/) [Keith Urban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-urban/) ## More by Booker T. Washington > [“There are some things that one individual can do for another, and there are some things that one race can do for another. But,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/there-are-some-things-that-one-individual-can-do-for-another-and/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [Think about it: we went into slavery pagans; we came out Christians. We went into slavery pieces of property; we came out American citizens.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/think-about-it-we-went-into-slavery-pagans-we-came-out-christians-we/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [I let no man drag me down so low as to make me hate him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/i-let-no-man-drag-me-down-so-low-as-to-make-me-hate-him/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [The wisest among my race understand that agitations of social equality is the extremist folly, and that progress in the enjoyment of all privileges…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/the-wisest-among-my-race-understand-that-agitations-of-social/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [“I began learning long ago that those who are happiest are those who do the most for others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/i-began-learning-long-ago-that-those-who-are-happiest-are-those-who/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [If you truly want to measure the success of a man, you do not measure it by a position he has achieved, but by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/if-you-truly-want-to-measure-the-success-of-a-man-you-do-not-measure/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [The time will come when the Negro in the South will be accorded all the political rights which his ability, character, and material possessions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/the-time-will-come-when-the-negro-in-the-south-will-be-accorded-all/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [“Kada smo u kontaktu sa drugim čovekom, mi mu ili pomažemo ili smetamo. Nema trećeg: ili ga vučemo na dole, ili ga izvlačimo na…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/kada-smo-u-kontaktu-sa-drugim-ovekom-mi-mu-ili-poma-emo-ili-smetamo/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [Excellence is to do a common thing in an uncommon way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/excellence-is-to-do-a-common-thing-in-an-uncommon-way/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [We must reinforce argument with results.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/we-must-reinforce-argument-with-results/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [Mere connection with what is known as a superior race will not permanently carry an individual forward unless the individual has worth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/mere-connection-with-what-is-known-as-a-superior-race-will-not/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [No race that has anything to contribute to the markets of the world is long in any degree ostracized.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/no-race-that-has-anything-to-contribute-to-the-markets-of-the-world/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [The highest test of the civilization of any race is in its willingness to extend a helping hand to the less fortunate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/the-highest-test-of-the-civilization-of-any-race-is-in-its/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [The Negro is not the man farthest down. The condition of the coloured farmer in the most backward parts of the Southern States of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/the-negro-is-not-the-man-farthest-down-the-condition-of-the-coloured/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) > [“it takes no more time to be polite to every one than it does to be rude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/booker-t-washington/it-takes-no-more-time-to-be-polite-to-every-one-than-it-does-to-be/) [Booker T. Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) [Explore all 174 Booker T. Washington quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/booker-t-washington/) ## More Helpful quotes > [ The young man \[Turgot\] destined for an ecclesiastical career was placed within walls carefully designed to keep out all currents of new thought; his… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-dickson-white/the-young-man-turgot-destined-for-an-ecclesiastical-career-was-placed/) [Andrew Dickson White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-dickson-white/) > [What really concerns me is for Christians to understand the fundamentals of evangelism in a way that is helpful in the contemporary scene.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-dever/what-really-concerns-me-is-for-christians-to-understand-the/) [Mark Dever](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-dever/) > [Let positive, strong, helpful thoughts enter into your brains from very childhood. Lay yourselves open to these thoughts, and not to weakening and paralysing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/let-positive-strong-helpful-thoughts-enter-into-your-brains-from-very/) [Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/) > [I think it's really good and helpful to have the people you most admire in some other discipline than what you work in. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/whit-stillman/i-think-it-s-really-good-and-helpful-to-have-the-people-you-most/) [Whit Stillman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/whit-stillman/) > [Tell people what specific action to take.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-abraham/tell-people-what-specific-action-to-take/) [Jay Abraham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-abraham/) > [Standing as a witness in all things means being kind in all things, being the first to say hello, being the first to smile,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-d-nadauld/standing-as-a-witness-in-all-things-means-being-kind-in-all-things/) [Margaret D. Nadauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-d-nadauld/) > [When it gets difficult is often right before you succeed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-walker/when-it-gets-difficult-is-often-right-before-you-succeed/) Jeffrey Walker > [Student loans have been helpful to many. But they offer neither incentive nor assistance to those students who, by reason of family or other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/student-loans-have-been-helpful-to-many-but-they-offer-neither/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [Chances are that any helpful two-year-old will break some eggs. We are often not very good at things when we are new. But there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-naomi-remen/chances-are-that-any-helpful-two-year-old-will-break-some-eggs-we-are/) [Rachel Naomi Remen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-naomi-remen/) > [I got Michael Caine's book, Acting In Film, and I read it on the plane, desperately trying to glean information from him about how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-mccormack/i-got-michael-caine-s-book-acting-in-film-and-i-read-it-on-the-plane/) [Eric McCormack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-mccormack/) > [Being able to quit things that don't work is integral to being a winner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/being-able-to-quit-things-that-don-t-work-is-integral-to-being-a/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Like some helpful person (hi, Mom) has tried to "'clean'" it, and suddenly you can't find anything?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/like-some-helpful-person-hi-mom-has-tried-to-clean-it-and-suddenly/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) > [Thinking about writing as an act of celebration is sometimes a helpful framework for me. It allows me to prioritize what I want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-kay/thinking-about-writing-as-an-act-of-celebration-is-sometimes-a/) [Sarah Kay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-kay/) > [We have some of the most influential Members of Congress here today, and I do hope that we can get this appropriation for these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-f-kennedy/we-have-some-of-the-most-influential-members-of-congress-here-today/) [John F. Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-f-kennedy/) > [Why blame the dark for being dark? It is far more helpful to ask why the light isn’t as bright as it could be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-bell/why-blame-the-dark-for-being-dark-it-is-far-more-helpful-to-ask-why/) [Rob Bell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-bell/) Browse all 1,213 Helpful quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "A life is not worth much of which it cannot be said, when it comes to its close, that it was helpful to humanity.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Booker T. 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