--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Real change in society must start from…" description: "\"Real change in society must start from individual initiative.\" — Dalai Lama" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5d/dalai-lama-89_change_real-change-in-society-must-start-from-i_3101521.jpg" --- # Real change in society must start from individual… ![“Real change in society must start from individual initiative.” quote by Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5d/dalai-lama-89_change_real-change-in-society-must-start-from-i_3101521.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5d/dalai-lama-89_change_real-change-in-society-must-start-from-i_3101521.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5d/dalai-lama-89_change_real-change-in-society-must-start-from-i_3101521.jpg) > “Real change in society must start from individual initiative.” [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Societal transformation begins with personal actions and responsibility. **In simple terms:** Change starts with individuals. Key Takeaway Take personal initiative for broader impact. Themes responsibility social change individualism Mood inspirational thoughtful Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - community projects - personal habits - volunteer work Key Concepts ethics activism Questions to Reflect On - What personal habit can you change? - How can you inspire others? A Different Perspective Individual effort alone may be insufficient. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Changes in society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/changes-in-society/) [Hero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hero/) [Heroic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heroic/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Initiative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/initiative/) [Real change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-change/) ## Related quotes > [No genuine change in society ever occurs without the mass public getting behind a cause. The good guys in government are counting on enough…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-morcan/no-genuine-change-in-society-ever-occurs-without-the-mass-public/) [James Morcan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-morcan/) > [Society is a system of inherited forms reducing our humiliating passivity to nature. We may alter these forms, slowly or suddenly, but no change…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/camille-paglia/society-is-a-system-of-inherited-forms-reducing-our-humiliating/) [Camille Paglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/camille-paglia/) > [I want to initiate a change in society in the long term.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-hollande/i-want-to-initiate-a-change-in-society-in-the-long-term/) [Francois Hollande](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-hollande/) > [Anarchists know that a long period of education must precede any great fundamental change in society, hence they do not believe in vote begging,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-parsons/anarchists-know-that-a-long-period-of-education-must-precede-any/) [Lucy Parsons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-parsons/) > [You will have to go through 15, 20, 50 years of civil wars and national struggles not only to bring about a change in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-marx/you-will-have-to-go-through-15-20-50-years-of-civil-wars-and-national/) [Karl Marx](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-marx/) > [Change in society is of secondary importance; that will come about naturally, inevitably, when you as a human being bring about the change in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/change-in-society-is-of-secondary-importance-that-will-come-about/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [Nothing is free. You got to pay to be in society. First you start with homework.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-brooks/nothing-is-free-you-got-to-pay-to-be-in-society-first-you-start-with/) [Mel Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-brooks/) > [You do not start by working on society; you start by yourself to be a freer person and a more independent person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yasmine-hamdan/you-do-not-start-by-working-on-society-you-start-by-yourself-to-be-a/) [Yasmine Hamdan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yasmine-hamdan/) > [I want a real revolution, a real change in society: society, a great organic mass of well-regulated forces used for the bringing-about a happy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-morris/i-want-a-real-revolution-a-real-change-in-society-society-a-great/) [William Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-morris/) > [“You see, I have come to believe in self-help, individual initiative, the love of what you do, and the full development of all individuals.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hanif-kureishi/you-see-i-have-come-to-believe-in-self-help-individual-initiative-the/) [Hanif Kureishi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hanif-kureishi/) > [The moral case for individual initiative in a free economy holds that people have a God-given right to use their creativity to produce things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-ryan/the-moral-case-for-individual-initiative-in-a-free-economy-holds-that/) [Paul Ryan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-ryan/) > [Individual initiative alone and the mere free play of competition could never assure successful development. One must avoid the risk of increasing still more…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pope-paul-vi/individual-initiative-alone-and-the-mere-free-play-of-competition/) [Pope Paul VI](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pope-paul-vi/) > [Education, and the life of the mind generally, is a matter in which individual initiative is the chief thing needed; the function of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/education-and-the-life-of-the-mind-generally-is-a-matter-in-which/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [We count, in the future as in the past, on the driving power of individual initiative, on the incentive of fair private profit, strengthened…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/franklin-d-roosevelt/we-count-in-the-future-as-in-the-past-on-the-driving-power-of/) [Franklin D. Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/franklin-d-roosevelt/) > [When we succeed, we succeed because of our individual initiative, but also because we do things together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barack-obama/when-we-succeed-we-succeed-because-of-our-individual-initiative-but/) [Barack Obama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barack-obama/) ## More by Dalai Lama > [Although under particular circumstances, the violence method - any method - can be justified, nevertheless once you commit violence, then counterviolence will be returned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/although-under-particular-circumstances-the-violence-method-any/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [In the interests of everyone the artist had a responsibility to use his medium well. In the Tibetan culture, most of the paintings are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/in-the-interests-of-everyone-the-artist-had-a-responsibility-to-use/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [If the mind is dominated by hatred, the best part of the brain, which is used to judge right and wrong, does not function…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/if-the-mind-is-dominated-by-hatred-the-best-part-of-the-brain-which/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [More compassionate mind, more sense of concern for other's well-being, is source of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/more-compassionate-mind-more-sense-of-concern-for-other-s-well-being/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Everybody loves to talk about calmness and peace, whether in a family, national, or international context, but without inner peace how can we make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/everybody-loves-to-talk-about-calmness-and-peace-whether-in-a-family/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [The only "definitive truth" for Buddhism is the absolute negation of any one truth as the Definitive Truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/the-only-definitive-truth-for-buddhism-is-the-absolute-negation-of/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [We can change society, change humanity by changing ourselves as individuals. By cultivating inner values, we can change our own lives and those of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-can-change-society-change-humanity-by-changing-ourselves-as/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [I don't want to convert people to Buddhism — all major religions, when understood properly, have the same potential for good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-don-t-want-to-convert-people-to-buddhism-all-major-religions-when/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [There is no way to escape death, it is just like trying to escape by four great mountains touching sky. There is no escape…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-is-no-way-to-escape-death-it-is-just-like-trying-to-escape-by/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [We live within the environment. So that directly relates with our survival, our life. So through that way, more concern of well being of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-live-within-the-environment-so-that-directly-relates-with-our/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [My belief is that the various religious traditions have great potential to increase compassion, the sense of caring for one another, and the spirit…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/my-belief-is-that-the-various-religious-traditions-have-great/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [When we think carefully, we see that the brief elation we experience when appeasing sensual impulses may not be very different from what the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/when-we-think-carefully-we-see-that-the-brief-elation-we-experience/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [“So let us reflect on what is truly of value in life, what gives meaning to our lives, and set our priorities on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/so-let-us-reflect-on-what-is-truly-of-value-in-life-what-gives/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [I am the source of my own suffering, because of the habits of my mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-am-the-source-of-my-own-suffering-because-of-the-habits-of-my-mind/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) [Explore all 1,406 Dalai Lama quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) ## More Change quotes > [Only within yourself exists the other reality for which you long. I can give you nothing that has not already its being within yourself.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hermann-hesse/only-within-yourself-exists-the-other-reality-for-which-you-long-i/) [Hermann Hesse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hermann-hesse/) > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I can't believe that I'm sitting in meetings with Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks, and Annette Bening. I want to take on that responsibility to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-can-t-believe-that-i-m-sitting-in-meetings-with-steven-spielberg/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [“…progress isn't necessarily about change but about things turning out as we want them to”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hogan/progress-isn-t-necessarily-about-change-but-about-things-turning-out/) Phil Hogan > [Nobody can tell me that no changes are necessary in Washington.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-weld/nobody-can-tell-me-that-no-changes-are-necessary-in-washington/) [William Weld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-weld/) > [If my campaign is not in the debate, we will not be talking about how we really fix this problem of endless and expanding…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-stein/if-my-campaign-is-not-in-the-debate-we-will-not-be-talking-about-how/) [Jill Stein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-stein/) > [When you walk down the street of Kabul your values for life changes, they do change.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-pierre-white/when-you-walk-down-the-street-of-kabul-your-values-for-life-changes/) [Marco Pierre White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-pierre-white/) > [Your world will change whether or not you choose to change, but you have the power to choose it's direction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/your-world-will-change-whether-or-not-you-choose-to-change-but-you/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [I hope I continue to evolve.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-flair/i-hope-i-continue-to-evolve/) [Charlotte Flair](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-flair/) > [“Stay focused on bringing people together and more on positive messaging so that you can be the change you wish to see in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/stay-focused-on-bringing-people-together-and-more-on-positive/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [The biggest change for me as a mom was realizing I needed to put someone else before me. Now the hardest part about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kim-alexis/the-biggest-change-for-me-as-a-mom-was-realizing-i-needed-to-put/) [Kim Alexis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kim-alexis/) > [“After the funeral, my life changed. I felt as if time were suddenly precious, water going down an open drain, and I could not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/after-the-funeral-my-life-changed-i-felt-as-if-time-were-suddenly/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [You practice mindfulness, on the one hand, to be calm and peaceful. On the other hand, as you practice mindfulness and live a life…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-practice-mindfulness-on-the-one-hand-to-be-calm-and-peaceful-on/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Irish research will contribute to global progress and have the potential to help all countries realise the potential of their land sectors in addressing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enda-kenny/irish-research-will-contribute-to-global-progress-and-have-the/) [Enda Kenny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/enda-kenny/) > [No man can change himself into anything from sheer reason; he can only change into what he potentially is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-jung/no-man-can-change-himself-into-anything-from-sheer-reason-he-can-only/) [Carl Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-jung/) [Browse all 33,920 Change quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Real change in society must start from individual initiative.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dalai Lama" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/real-change-in-society-must-start-from-individual-initiative/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Change" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/real-change-in-society-must-start-from-individual-initiative/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5d/dalai-lama-89_change_real-change-in-society-must-start-from-i_3101521.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5d/dalai-lama-89_change_real-change-in-society-must-start-from-i_3101521.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e5d/dalai-lama-89_change_real-change-in-society-must-start-from-i_3101521.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Real change in society must start from individual initiative.” — Dalai Lama", "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": "Dalai Lama", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Real change in society must start...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/real-change-in-society-must-start-from-individual-initiative/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/real-change-in-society-must-start-from-individual-initiative/#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 } } ] } ```