--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Be grateful as your deeds become less and…" description: "\"Be grateful as your deeds become less and less associated with your name, as your feet ever more lightly tread the earth.\" — Dag Hammarskjold" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83e/dag-hammarskj-ld-2606_be-grateful_be-grateful-as-your-deeds-become-less-an_1477054.png" --- # Be grateful as your deeds become less and less associated… ![“Be grateful as your deeds become less and less associated with your name, as your feet ever more lightly tread the earth.” quote by Dag Hammarskjold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83e/dag-hammarskj-ld-2606_be-grateful_be-grateful-as-your-deeds-become-less-an_1477054.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83e/dag-hammarskj-ld-2606_be-grateful_be-grateful-as-your-deeds-become-less-an_1477054.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83e/dag-hammarskj-ld-2606_be-grateful_be-grateful-as-your-deeds-become-less-an_1477054.png) > “Be grateful as your deeds become less and less associated with your name, as your feet ever more lightly tread the earth.” [Dag Hammarskjold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dag-hammarskj-ld/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Humility grows when deeds are anonymous and we tread lightly on the world. **In simple terms:** Humility through anonymous good deeds. Key Takeaway Act selflessly without seeking fame. Themes humility service environmental stewardship Mood reflective inspirational Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - volunteering - community service - environmental activism - personal growth Key Concepts Anonymity ethical living earth stewardship Questions to Reflect On - How can you measure impact without recognition? - What practices keep you grounded? A Different Perspective Anonymous deeds may be overlooked, reducing motivation. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Be grateful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-grateful/) [Deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/deeds/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Feet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feet/) [Feet Lightly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feet-lightly-5375324/) [Grateful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grateful/) [Grateful Deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grateful-deeds-5375325/) [Gratitude](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gratitude/) [Lightly Tread](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lightly-tread-1283522/) [Names](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/names/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Tread Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tread-earth-5375326/) ## Related quotes > [“But I, being poor, have only my dreams. I lay them at your feet. Tread lightly, for you tread on my dreams.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-butler-yeats/but-i-being-poor-have-only-my-dreams-i-lay-them-at-your-feet-tread/) [William Butler Yeats](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-butler-yeats/) > [I sleep lightly and tread to keep my head out of the sea of dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-anthony-durham/i-sleep-lightly-and-tread-to-keep-my-head-out-of-the-sea-of-dreams/) [David Anthony Durham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-anthony-durham/) > [When you have reached the point where you no longer expect a response, you will at last be able to give in such a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dag-hammarskj-ld/when-you-have-reached-the-point-where-you-no-longer-expect-a-response/) [Dag Hammarskjold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dag-hammarskj-ld/) > [Be grateful for the love you have to share-share it, and it will return to you ten times over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-van-praagh/be-grateful-for-the-love-you-have-to-share-share-it-and-it-will/) [James Van Praagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-van-praagh/) > [Speak what I have to be grateful for when I get up and when I lie down to sleep. Meditation and prayer. I pray…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-taylor/speak-what-i-have-to-be-grateful-for-when-i-get-up-and-when-i-lie/) [Regina Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-taylor/) > [Enjoy your own life without comparing it with that of another for there will always be others whose lives on the face of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-de-caritat-marquis-de-condorcet/enjoy-your-own-life-without-comparing-it-with-that-of-another-for/) [Nicolas de Caritat, marquis de Condorcet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-de-caritat-marquis-de-condorcet/) > [Be calm, be strong, be grateful, and become a lamp full of light, that the darkness of sorrows be annihilated, and that the sun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdu-l-bah/be-calm-be-strong-be-grateful-and-become-a-lamp-full-of-light-that/) [Abdu'l-Bahá](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abdu-l-bah/) > [Just remember: to be grateful and thank the people who are there and support you along the way is a great start to success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meryl-davis/just-remember-to-be-grateful-and-thank-the-people-who-are-there-and/) [Meryl Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meryl-davis/) > [My first encounter with yoga was in 1969 with my older brother Doug. I was thirteen years old, and he was eighteen. He'd learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-f-swensen/my-first-encounter-with-yoga-was-in-1969-with-my-older-brother-doug-i/) [David F. Swensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-f-swensen/) > [The Americans say that we are ungrateful-but I ask them for heaven's sake, what should we be grateful to them for-for murdering our fathers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-walker/the-americans-say-that-we-are-ungrateful-but-i-ask-them-for-heaven-s/) [David Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-walker/) > [Focus on being grateful for what you have already .. enjoy it!! Then release into the universe. The universe will manifest it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/focus-on-being-grateful-for-what-you-have-already-enjoy-it-then/) [Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/) > [Often I'm told I'm an inspiration to people which I will forever be grateful for. But the reality is that I'm only able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lizzie-velasquez/often-i-m-told-i-m-an-inspiration-to-people-which-i-will-forever-be/) [Lizzie Velasquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lizzie-velasquez/) > [Kenny G, I have to be grateful to him for proving that the instrument can be played all different kinds of ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/kenny-g-i-have-to-be-grateful-to-him-for-proving-that-the-instrument/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [Man has an almost infinite capacity for taking things and people for granted and thereby missing out on the pleasure of being grateful that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/man-has-an-almost-infinite-capacity-for-taking-things-and-people-for/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) ## More by Dag Hammarskjold > [“Didst thou give me this inescapable loneliness so that it would be easier for me to give thee all?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dag-hammarskj-ld/didst-thou-give-me-this-inescapable-loneliness-so-that-it-would-be/) [Dag Hammarskjöld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dag-hammarskj-ld/) > [Beneath the hush a whisper from long ago, promising peace of mind and a burden shared. No peace which is not peace for all,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dag-hammarskj-ld/beneath-the-hush-a-whisper-from-long-ago-promising-peace-of-mind-and/) [Dag Hammarskjold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dag-hammarskj-ld/) > [For the sacrificed, in the hour of sacrifice, only one thing counts: faith-alone among enemies and skeptics. Faith, in spite of the humiliation which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dag-hammarskj-ld/for-the-sacrificed-in-the-hour-of-sacrifice-only-one-thing-counts/) [Dag Hammarskjold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dag-hammarskj-ld/) > [Friendship needs no words.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dag-hammarskj-ld/friendship-needs-no-words/) [Dag Hammarskjold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dag-hammarskj-ld/) > [If even dying is to be made a social function, then, grant me the favor of sneaking out on tiptoe without disturbing the party.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dag-hammarskj-ld/if-even-dying-is-to-be-made-a-social-function-then-grant-me-the-favor/) [Dag Hammarskjold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dag-hammarskj-ld/) > [Your position never gives you the right to command. It only imposes on you the duty of so living your life that others can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dag-hammarskj-ld/your-position-never-gives-you-the-right-to-command-it-only-imposes-on/) [Dag Hammarskjold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dag-hammarskj-ld/) > [I have only my own burden to bear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dag-hammarskj-ld/i-have-only-my-own-burden-to-bear/) [Dag Hammarskjold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dag-hammarskj-ld/) > [Life yields only to the conqueror. Never accept whatcan be gained by giving in. You will be living off stolen goods, and your muscles…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dag-hammarskj-ld/life-yields-only-to-the-conqueror-never-accept-whatcan-be-gained-by/) [Dag Hammarskjöld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dag-hammarskj-ld/) > [I never discuss discussions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dag-hammarskj-ld/i-never-discuss-discussions/) [Dag Hammarskjold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dag-hammarskj-ld/) > [We all have within us a center of stillness surrounded by silence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dag-hammarskj-ld/we-all-have-within-us-a-center-of-stillness-surrounded-by-silence/) [Dag Hammarskjold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dag-hammarskj-ld/) > [There is a point at which everything becomes simple and there is no longer any question of choice, because all you have staked will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dag-hammarskj-ld/there-is-a-point-at-which-everything-becomes-simple-and-there-is-no/) [Dag Hammarskjold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dag-hammarskj-ld/) > [God does not die on the day when we cease to believe in a personal deity, but we die on the day when our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dag-hammarskj-ld/god-does-not-die-on-the-day-when-we-cease-to-believe-in-a-personal/) [Dag Hammarskjold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dag-hammarskj-ld/) > [The concept of loyalty is distorted when it is understood to mean blind acceptance. It is correctly interpreted when it is assumed to cover…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dag-hammarskj-ld/the-concept-of-loyalty-is-distorted-when-it-is-understood-to-mean/) [Dag Hammarskjold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dag-hammarskj-ld/) > [Those who invoke history will certainly be heard by history. And they will have to accept its verdict.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dag-hammarskj-ld/those-who-invoke-history-will-certainly-be-heard-by-history-and-they/) [Dag Hammarskjold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dag-hammarskj-ld/) > [Your body must become familiar with its death - in all its possible forms and degrees - as a self-evident, imminent, and emotionally neutral…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dag-hammarskj-ld/your-body-must-become-familiar-with-its-death-in-all-its-possible/) [Dag Hammarskjold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dag-hammarskj-ld/) [Explore all 155 Dag Hammarskjold quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dag-hammarskj-ld/) ## More Be grateful quotes > [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [Man has an almost infinite capacity for taking things and people for granted and thereby missing out on the pleasure of being grateful that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aldous-huxley/man-has-an-almost-infinite-capacity-for-taking-things-and-people-for/) [Aldous Huxley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aldous-huxley/) > [Kenny G, I have to be grateful to him for proving that the instrument can be played all different kinds of ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-lacy/kenny-g-i-have-to-be-grateful-to-him-for-proving-that-the-instrument/) [Steve Lacy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-lacy/) > [Often I'm told I'm an inspiration to people which I will forever be grateful for. But the reality is that I'm only able to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lizzie-velasquez/often-i-m-told-i-m-an-inspiration-to-people-which-i-will-forever-be/) [Lizzie Velasquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lizzie-velasquez/) > [Focus on being grateful for what you have already .. enjoy it!! Then release into the universe. The universe will manifest it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhonda-byrne/focus-on-being-grateful-for-what-you-have-already-enjoy-it-then/) [Rhonda Byrne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhonda-byrne/) > [The Americans say that we are ungrateful-but I ask them for heaven's sake, what should we be grateful to them for-for murdering our fathers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-walker/the-americans-say-that-we-are-ungrateful-but-i-ask-them-for-heaven-s/) [David Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-walker/) > [My first encounter with yoga was in 1969 with my older brother Doug. I was thirteen years old, and he was eighteen. He'd learned…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-f-swensen/my-first-encounter-with-yoga-was-in-1969-with-my-older-brother-doug-i/) [David F. Swensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-f-swensen/) > [Just remember: to be grateful and thank the people who are there and support you along the way is a great start to success.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/meryl-davis/just-remember-to-be-grateful-and-thank-the-people-who-are-there-and/) [Meryl Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/meryl-davis/) > [Be calm, be strong, be grateful, and become a lamp full of light, that the darkness of sorrows be annihilated, and that the sun…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abdu-l-bah/be-calm-be-strong-be-grateful-and-become-a-lamp-full-of-light-that/) [Abdu'l-Bahá](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abdu-l-bah/) > [Enjoy your own life without comparing it with that of another for there will always be others whose lives on the face of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-de-caritat-marquis-de-condorcet/enjoy-your-own-life-without-comparing-it-with-that-of-another-for/) [Nicolas de Caritat, marquis de Condorcet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-de-caritat-marquis-de-condorcet/) > [Speak what I have to be grateful for when I get up and when I lie down to sleep. Meditation and prayer. I pray…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-taylor/speak-what-i-have-to-be-grateful-for-when-i-get-up-and-when-i-lie/) [Regina Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-taylor/) > [Be grateful for the love you have to share-share it, and it will return to you ten times over.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-van-praagh/be-grateful-for-the-love-you-have-to-share-share-it-and-it-will/) [James Van Praagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-van-praagh/) > [There are those who say that trees shade the garden too much, and interfere with the growth of the vegetables. There may be something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dudley-warner/there-are-those-who-say-that-trees-shade-the-garden-too-much-and/) [Charles Dudley Warner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dudley-warner/) > [Kids aint supposed to be grateful! They're supposed to eat your food, break your heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-kripke/kids-aint-supposed-to-be-grateful-they-re-supposed-to-eat-your-food/) [Eric Kripke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-kripke/) > [...Be grateful for what you have to be thankful for instead of complaining about the little things that annoy you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-carnegie/be-grateful-for-what-you-have-to-be-thankful-for-instead-of/) [Dale Carnegie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-carnegie/) [Browse all 602 Be grateful quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/be-grateful/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Be grateful as your deeds become less and less associated with your name, as your feet ever more lightly tread the earth.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dag Hammarskjold" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dag-hammarskj-ld/be-grateful-as-your-deeds-become-less-and-less-associated-with-your/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Be grateful" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dag-hammarskj-ld/be-grateful-as-your-deeds-become-less-and-less-associated-with-your/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83e/dag-hammarskj-ld-2606_be-grateful_be-grateful-as-your-deeds-become-less-an_1477054.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83e/dag-hammarskj-ld-2606_be-grateful_be-grateful-as-your-deeds-become-less-an_1477054.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/83e/dag-hammarskj-ld-2606_be-grateful_be-grateful-as-your-deeds-become-less-an_1477054.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Be grateful as your deeds become less and less associated with your name, as your feet ever more lightly…” — Dag Hammarskjold", "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": "Dag Hammarskjold", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dag-hammarskj-ld/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Be grateful as your deeds become...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dag-hammarskj-ld/be-grateful-as-your-deeds-become-less-and-less-associated-with-your/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dag-hammarskj-ld/be-grateful-as-your-deeds-become-less-and-less-associated-with-your/#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 } } ] } ```