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Ask yourself Quote by Caroline Kennedy

“Are you willing to forget what you have done for other people and to remember what other people have done for you; to ignore what the world owes you and to think what you owe the world; to put your rights in the background and your duties in the middle distance and your chances to do a little more…” quote by Caroline Kennedy
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““Are you willing to forget what you have done for other people and to remember what other people have done for you; to ignore what the world owes you and to think what you owe the world; to put your rights in the background and your duties in the middle distance and your chances to do a little more than your duty in the foreground; to see that your fellow men are just as real as you are, and try to look behind their faces to their hearts, hungry for joy; to own that probably the only good reason for your existence is not waht you are going to get out of life, but what you are going to give life; to close your book of complaints against the management of the universe and look around you for a place where you can sow a few seeds of happiness - are you willing to do these things for even a day? Are you willing to stoop down and consider the needs and the desires of little children; to remember the weakness and loneliness of people who are growing old; to stop asking how much your friends love you and ask yourself whether you love them enough; to bear in mind the things that other people have to bear on their hearts; to try to understand what those who live in the same house with you really want, without waiting for them to tell you; to trim your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke, and to carry it in front of you so that your shadow will fall behind you; to make a grave for your ugly thoughts and a garden for your kindly feelings, with the gate open - are you willing to do these things for even a day? Are you willing to believe that love is the strongest thing in the world, - stronger than hate, stronger than evil, stronger than death, - and that the blessed life which began in Bethlehem nineteen hundred years ago is the image and brightness of the Eternal Love? Then you can keep Christmas. And if you keep it for a day, why not always? But you can never keep it alone.””

Caroline Kennedy

About This Quote

Source Speech: Christmas Message, Caroline Kennedy, 2000

The quote urges self‑lessness, focusing on giving, empathy, and love rather than personal entitlement, suggesting that true fulfillment comes from serving others.

In simple terms: Give, love, and love personal needs.

Key Takeaway

Live selflessly each day.

Themes

empathy service love humility spirituality

Mood

reflective hopeful inspirational

Type

philosophical motivational spiritual

When to use this quote

  • volunteering
  • family caregiving
  • community support
  • daily kindness
  • personal reflection

Key Concepts

Altruism self‑transcendence ethical living

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you practice self‑less acts in your daily routine?
  • What obstacles stop you from prioritizing others?
A Different Perspective

It may be idealistic for those facing severe personal hardship or systemic oppression.

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