---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: So long as space remains, So long…"
description: "\"So long as space remains, So long sentient beings' suffering remain, I will remain, In order to help, in order to serve... I am nothing but a servant t..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a0/dalai-lama-89_comfort_so-long-as-space-remains-so-long-sentien_1109487.jpg"
---

#  So long as space remains, So long sentient beings'…

![“So long as space remains, So long sentient beings' suffering remain, I will remain, In order to help, in order to serve... I am nothing but a servant to provide to others. So if you provide some happiness, some comfort to others, then your life becomes meaningful. If your life creates problems or…” quote by Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a0/dalai-lama-89_comfort_so-long-as-space-remains-so-long-sentien_1109487.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a0/dalai-lama-89_comfort_so-long-as-space-remains-so-long-sentien_1109487.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a0/dalai-lama-89_comfort_so-long-as-space-remains-so-long-sentien_1109487.jpg)

> “So long as space remains, So long sentient beings' suffering remain, I will remain, In order to help, in order to serve... I am nothing but a servant to provide to others. So if you provide some happiness, some comfort to others, then your life becomes meaningful. If your life creates problems or suffering to others, then there's no meaning to your existence.”

[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.

A life gains meaning by alleviating others' suffering and providing happiness; harming others nullifies purpose.

**In simple terms:** Help others, find purpose.

Key Takeaway

Serve others to find meaning.

Themes

compassion purpose service

Mood

empathetic reflective

Type

philosophical inspirational

When to use this quote

- volunteering
- caregiving
- community work
- teaching
- healthcare

Key Concepts

Altruism ethical living

Questions to Reflect On

- What can you do today to ease someone’s pain?
- How do you balance self‑care with serving others?

A Different Perspective

If you cannot help others, meaning must be self‑generated.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Comfort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comfort/) [Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/existence/) [Helping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Life Meaningful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-meaningful/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Meaning Existence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaning-existence-474092/) [Meaningful](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaningful/) [Meaningful life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meaningful-life/) [Order](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/order/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Remains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remains/) [Sentient beings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sentient-beings/) [Servant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/servant/) [Space](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/space/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Torture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/torture/)

## Related quotes

> [The poem is a little myth of man's capacity of making life meaningful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-penn-warren/the-poem-is-a-little-myth-of-man-s-capacity-of-making-life-meaningful/)

[Robert Penn Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-penn-warren/)

> [A DOCTOR can save my life. A LAWYER can defend my life. A SOLDIER can give me a peaceful life. But only you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/a-doctor-can-save-my-life-a-lawyer-can-defend-my-life-a-soldier-can/)

[Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/)

> [For me, the best things in life - meaningful work, meaningful relationships, interesting experiences, good food, sleep, music, ideas, sex, and other basic needs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/for-me-the-best-things-in-life-meaningful-work-meaningful/)

[Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/)

> [Life has different perspective for different people. For some life is to enjoy, some live casually to make life easy going, some live for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anil-sinha/life-has-different-perspective-for-different-people-for-some-life-is/)

[Anil Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anil-sinha/)

> [In the end, it is impossible to have a great life unless it is a meaningful life. And it is very difficult to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-c-collins/in-the-end-it-is-impossible-to-have-a-great-life-unless-it-is-a/)

[James C. Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-c-collins/)

> [ “When \[what you are deeply passionate about, what you can be best in the world at and what drives your economic engine\] come together,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-collins/when-what-you-are-deeply-passionate-about-what-you-can-be-best-in-the/)

[Jim Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-collins/)

> [I think it's innate in human nature to want to make a difference, to make your life meaningful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-marx-hubbard/i-think-it-s-innate-in-human-nature-to-want-to-make-a-difference-to/)

[Barbara Marx Hubbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-marx-hubbard/)

> [For, in the end, it is impossible to have a great life unless it is a meaningful life. And it is very difficult to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/for-in-the-end-it-is-impossible-to-have-a-great-life-unless-it-is-a/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [A good peace, a solid peace, a peace in which communities can flourish, can only be built when we ask ourselves and each other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/a-good-peace-a-solid-peace-a-peace-in-which-communities-can-flourish/)

[Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/)

> [It is not good enough to know why we are oppressed and by whom. We must join the struggle for what is right and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cesar-chavez/it-is-not-good-enough-to-know-why-we-are-oppressed-and-by-whom-we/)

[Cesar Chavez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cesar-chavez/)

> [Life becomes more meaningful when we realize the simple fact that we'll never get the same moment twice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-becomes-more-meaningful-when-we-realize-the-simple-fact-that-we/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Values are principles and ideas that bring meaning to the seemingly mundane experience of life. A meaningful life that ultimately brings happiness and pride…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-schlessinger/values-are-principles-and-ideas-that-bring-meaning-to-the-seemingly/)

[Laura Schlessinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-schlessinger/)

> [Never and ever your life become meaningless as long as you are following the right path your life are very meaningful.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/innah-delos-angeles/never-and-ever-your-life-become-meaningless-as-long-as-you-are/)

[Innah Delos Angeles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/innah-delos-angeles/)

> [The truth is, if what we choose to do with our lives won't make a story meaningful, it won't make a life meaningful either.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donald-miller/the-truth-is-if-what-we-choose-to-do-with-our-lives-won-t-make-a/)

[Donald Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donald-miller/)

> [I think everyone is always asking themselves, How is my work meaningful, how is my life meaningful? As I get older, I feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zoe-kazan/i-think-everyone-is-always-asking-themselves-how-is-my-work/)

[Zoe Kazan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zoe-kazan/)

## 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 Comfort quotes

> [The house has to serve comfort. The work of art is revolutionary; the house is conservative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adolf-loos/the-house-has-to-serve-comfort-the-work-of-art-is-revolutionary-the/)

[Adolf Loos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adolf-loos/)

> [Don't take too much comfort in the fact that you're successful today because tomorrow could bring failure. There's no surety in life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-savage/don-t-take-too-much-comfort-in-the-fact-that-you-re-successful-today/)

[Michael Savage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-savage/)

> [For many, the call to be a Christian can seem demanding, even overwhelming. But we need not be afraid or feel inadequate. The Savior…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-d-hales/for-many-the-call-to-be-a-christian-can-seem-demanding-even/)

[Robert D. Hales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-d-hales/)

> [This is no time for ease and comfort. It is time to dare and endure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winston-churchill/this-is-no-time-for-ease-and-comfort-it-is-time-to-dare-and-endure/)

[Winston Churchill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winston-churchill/)

> [There is a comfort in rituals, and rituals provide a framework for stability when you are trying to find answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-norville/there-is-a-comfort-in-rituals-and-rituals-provide-a-framework-for/)

[Deborah Norville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-norville/)

> [Now I am in the place I call this wide wide Heaven because it includes all my simplest desires but also the most humble…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-sebold/now-i-am-in-the-place-i-call-this-wide-wide-heaven-because-it/)

[Alice Sebold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-sebold/)

> [“When you get lost in a really strange place, nothing is more comforting than found your friend whom you trust and can show the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/toba-beta/when-you-get-lost-in-a-really-strange-place-nothing-is-more/)

[Toba Beta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/toba-beta/)

> [Comfort food is really anything you want at that time. That said, I really love Naple-style pizza.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-zakarian/comfort-food-is-really-anything-you-want-at-that-time-that-said-i/)

[Geoffrey Zakarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-zakarian/)

> [I actually like getting out of my comfort zone. It shakes me up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gail-sheehy/i-actually-like-getting-out-of-my-comfort-zone-it-shakes-me-up/)

[Gail Sheehy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gail-sheehy/)

> [A time will come when the science of destruction shall bend before the arts of peace; when the genius which multiplies our powers, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francois-arago/a-time-will-come-when-the-science-of-destruction-shall-bend-before/)

[Francois Arago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francois-arago/)

> [Throughout human history, as our species has faced the frightening, terrorizing fact that we do not know who we are, or where we are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-leary/throughout-human-history-as-our-species-has-faced-the-frightening/)

[Timothy Leary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-leary/)

> [Worship is not about personality, temperament, personal limitations, church background, or comfort. It is about God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wimber/worship-is-not-about-personality-temperament-personal-limitations/)

[John Wimber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wimber/)

> [May God bless each of us in our calls to serve. May our faith strengthen as we serve in righteousness, faithfully keeping the commandments.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/l-tom-perry/may-god-bless-each-of-us-in-our-calls-to-serve-may-our-faith/)

[L. Tom Perry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/l-tom-perry/)

> [Maybe that was why she couldn't cry, she realized, staring dry-eyed at the ceiling. Because what was the point in crying when there was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cassandra-clare/maybe-that-was-why-she-couldn-t-cry-she-realized-staring-dry-eyed-at/)

[Cassandra Clare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cassandra-clare/)

> [I think that comfort is underrated in a lot of ways.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phoebe-robinson/i-think-that-comfort-is-underrated-in-a-lot-of-ways/)

[Phoebe Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phoebe-robinson/)

[Browse all 4,542 Comfort quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/comfort/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "So long as space remains, So long sentient beings' suffering remain, I will remain, In order to help, in order to serve... I am nothing but a servant to provide to others. So if you provide some happiness, some comfort to others, then your life becomes meaningful. If your life creates problems or suffering to others, then there's no meaning to your existence.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Dalai Lama"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/so-long-as-space-remains-so-long-sentient-beings-suffering-remain-i/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Comfort"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/so-long-as-space-remains-so-long-sentient-beings-suffering-remain-i/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a0/dalai-lama-89_comfort_so-long-as-space-remains-so-long-sentien_1109487.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a0/dalai-lama-89_comfort_so-long-as-space-remains-so-long-sentien_1109487.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/6a0/dalai-lama-89_comfort_so-long-as-space-remains-so-long-sentien_1109487.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“So long as space remains, So long sentient beings' suffering remain, I will remain, In order to help, in…” — 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": "So long as space remains, So...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/so-long-as-space-remains-so-long-sentient-beings-suffering-remain-i/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/so-long-as-space-remains-so-long-sentient-beings-suffering-remain-i/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
