---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Let us not demand of ourselves that we…"
description: "\"Let us not demand of ourselves that we alone must be the agent of change. In a fire brigade everyone passes along a bucket, but only the last person pu..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f02/deepak-chopra-63_action_let-us-not-demand-of-ourselves-that-we-a_2283626.jpg"
---

#  Let us not demand of ourselves that we alone must be the…

![“Let us not demand of ourselves that we alone must be the agent of change. In a fire brigade everyone passes along a bucket, but only the last person puts out the fire. None of us know where we stand in line. We may be here simply to pass a bucket; we may be called on to play a major role. In…” quote by Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f02/deepak-chopra-63_action_let-us-not-demand-of-ourselves-that-we-a_2283626.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f02/deepak-chopra-63_action_let-us-not-demand-of-ourselves-that-we-a_2283626.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f02/deepak-chopra-63_action_let-us-not-demand-of-ourselves-that-we-a_2283626.jpg)

> “Let us not demand of ourselves that we alone must be the agent of change. In a fire brigade everyone passes along a bucket, but only the last person puts out the fire. None of us know where we stand in line. We may be here simply to pass a bucket; we may be called on to play a major role. In either case, all we can do is think, act, and say. Let us direct our thoughts, words, and actions to peace. That is all we can do. Let the results be what they will be.”

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Encourages humility and collective effort, emphasizing that each person may have a small or large role, and we should focus on peace through thought, word, and deed.

**In simple terms:** Everyone contributes differently; focus on peace.

Key Takeaway

Act with intention toward peace.

Themes

humility collective responsibility peace action thought

Mood

reflective calm

Type

motivational philosophical

When to use this quote

- teamwork
- community service
- conflict resolution
- personal reflection

Key Concepts

social dynamics role theory ethical agency

Questions to Reflect On

- What role do you feel you are playing now?
- How can you support others in their roles?

A Different Perspective

May overlook systemic factors beyond individual control.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Action](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/) [Actions Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actions-peace-548280/) [Agents](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agents/) [Buckets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/buckets/) [Can do](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/can-do/) [Cases](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cases/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Change Brigade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-brigade-5338967/) [Demand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/demand/) [Direct](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/direct/) [Empowering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/empowering/) [Fire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fire/) [Inspiring](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspiring/) [Knows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/knows/) [Lasts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lasts/) [Let Demand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/let-demand-3779785/) [Lines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lines/) [Majors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/majors/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Our thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-thoughts/) [Pass Bucket](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pass-bucket-5338968/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Peace Let](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace-let-470630/) [Persons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/persons/) [Play](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/play/) [Results](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/results/) [Roles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/roles/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Words and actions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/words-and-actions/)

## Related quotes

> [President Obama continues to support war. He continues to remove many basic civil liberties and human rights. He continues to condone drones in Pakistan…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mairead-corrigan/president-obama-continues-to-support-war-he-continues-to-remove-many/)

[Mairead Corrigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mairead-corrigan/)

> [“Let the demand of life, lead you into the abundant supplies of life”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sunday-adelaja/let-the-demand-of-life-lead-you-into-the-abundant-supplies-of-life/)

[Sunday Adelaja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sunday-adelaja/)

> [Let us set our goals too high; let us demand more of ourselves than we believe we possess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/haile-selassie/let-us-set-our-goals-too-high-let-us-demand-more-of-ourselves-than-we/)

[Haile Selassie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/haile-selassie/)

> [There is a very Simple Secret to being happy. Just let go of your 'demand' on this moment. Any time you have a demand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adyashanti/there-is-a-very-simple-secret-to-being-happy-just-let-go-of-your/)

[Adyashanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adyashanti/)

> [To find real peace you have to let the armor go. Your need for acceptance can make you invisible in this world. Don't let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-carrey/to-find-real-peace-you-have-to-let-the-armor-go-your-need-for/)

[Jim Carrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-carrey/)

> [For the sake of Peace, let God's will be done and not always our own will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/for-the-sake-of-peace-let-god-s-will-be-done-and-not-always-our-own/)

[Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/)

> [“Have you ever attempted to organize something like peace? The moment you do, you have power conflicts and group wars within the organization. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-de-mello/have-you-ever-attempted-to-organize-something-like-peace-the-moment/)

[Anthony de Mello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-de-mello/)

> [If hip-hop is dead, then let it rest in peace and let's move on to something else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/black-thought/if-hip-hop-is-dead-then-let-it-rest-in-peace-and-let-s-move-on-to/)

[Black Thought](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/black-thought/)

> [On this International Day of Peace, let us dare to imagine a world free of conflict and violence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kofi-annan/on-this-international-day-of-peace-let-us-dare-to-imagine-a-world/)

[Kofi Annan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kofi-annan/)

> [Leave me in peace, let me sleep once at least without my pillow being wet with tears, my eyes burning and my head throbbing.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ana-chable/leave-me-in-peace-let-me-sleep-once-at-least-without-my-pillow-being/)

[Ana Chable](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ana-chable/)

> [Always know when to let go. When a thought is bringing you more misery than peace, let go of the thought; when a person…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brigitte-nicole/always-know-when-to-let-go-when-a-thought-is-bringing-you-more-misery/)

[Brigitte Nicole](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brigitte-nicole/)

> [That peace that we're after, lies somewhere beyond personality, beyond the perception of others, beyond invention and disguise, even beyond effort itself. You can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-carrey/that-peace-that-we-re-after-lies-somewhere-beyond-personality-beyond/)

[Jim Carrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-carrey/)

> [The peace you seek is there, it's there between all the traffic in your mind, stop and rest for peace will find you if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-dolan/the-peace-you-seek-is-there-it-s-there-between-all-the-traffic-in/)

[Michael Dolan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-dolan/)

> [We can have peace if we let go of wanting to change the past and wanting to control the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lester-levenson/we-can-have-peace-if-we-let-go-of-wanting-to-change-the-past-and/)

[Lester Levenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lester-levenson/)

> [I seek peace, let me BE peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-lerner/i-seek-peace-let-me-be-peace/)

[Michael Lerner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-lerner/)

## More by Deepak Chopra

> [By making conscious choices in our behavior and where we focus our attention, we can transform our experience of our body, decrease our biological…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/by-making-conscious-choices-in-our-behavior-and-where-we-focus-our/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [“Molecules form and dissolve, returning to the primordial soup of atoms. But consciousness survives the death of the molecules on which it rides. What…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/molecules-form-and-dissolve-returning-to-the-primordial-soup-of-atoms/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [Unbounded awareness is the reservoir of possibilities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/unbounded-awareness-is-the-reservoir-of-possibilities/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [Spiritual awareness is not only one of the keys to the healing process. Spiritual awareness is the only way that healing can occur.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/spiritual-awareness-is-not-only-one-of-the-keys-to-the-healing/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [All experiences are either positive for your brain or negative. If you maximize the positive ones, you are shaping the brain you want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/all-experiences-are-either-positive-for-your-brain-or-negative-if-you/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [There are only 2 responses to the world, fear or love. Your life depends on which one you choose.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/there-are-only-2-responses-to-the-world-fear-or-love-your-life/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [If you take the the insults of your fellow human beings personally, you will be offended for the rest of your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/if-you-take-the-the-insults-of-your-fellow-human-beings-personally/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [A person desperately searching for love," Merlin said, "reminds me of a fish desperately searching for water.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/a-person-desperately-searching-for-love-merlin-said-reminds-me-of-a/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [Fighting your ego is a melodrama of the ego.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/fighting-your-ego-is-a-melodrama-of-the-ego/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [The same faint song is heard in everything: "Behold yourself".](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/the-same-faint-song-is-heard-in-everything-behold-yourself/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [“All creativity is based on quantum leaps and uncertainty.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/all-creativity-is-based-on-quantum-leaps-and-uncertainty/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [The soul knows everything. Be who you are and your life will transform forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/the-soul-knows-everything-be-who-you-are-and-your-life-will-transform/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [The willingness to reach inside every part of yourself opens the door to total understanding. You place your entire identity on the line, not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/the-willingness-to-reach-inside-every-part-of-yourself-opens-the-door/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [Be willing to redefine yourself every day.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/be-willing-to-redefine-yourself-every-day/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

> [To have weakness is not to be flawed--it's to be complete.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/to-have-weakness-is-not-to-be-flawed-it-s-to-be-complete/)

[Deepak Chopra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

[Explore all 1,675 Deepak Chopra quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/)

## More Action quotes

> [I always say there are two things to be successful. The first is decide exactly what you want - set your goals - and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/i-always-say-there-are-two-things-to-be-successful-the-first-is/)

[Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/)

> [You'd be surprised how hard it can often be to translate an action into an idea.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-kraus/you-d-be-surprised-how-hard-it-can-often-be-to-translate-an-action/)

[Karl Kraus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-kraus/)

> [Gratitude isn't just a feeling, it's an action. Expressing gratitude by writing in a journal, taking a photo, or shooting a video creates a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janice-kaplan/gratitude-isn-t-just-a-feeling-it-s-an-action-expressing-gratitude-by/)

[Janice Kaplan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janice-kaplan/)

> [Nothing is so powerful as an insight into human nature... what compulsions drive a man, what instincts dominate his action. If you know these…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-bernbach/nothing-is-so-powerful-as-an-insight-into-human-nature-what/)

[William Bernbach](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-bernbach/)

> [Every thought I have imprisioned in expression I must free by my deeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kahlil-gibran/every-thought-i-have-imprisioned-in-expression-i-must-free-by-my-deeds/)

[Kahlil Gibran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kahlil-gibran/)

> [It took me 20 years to buy an electric typewriter, because I was afraid it would be too sensitive. I like to bang the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elmore-leonard/it-took-me-20-years-to-buy-an-electric-typewriter-because-i-was/)

[Elmore Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elmore-leonard/)

> [Every action that helps us manifest our divine nature more and more is good; every action that retards it is evil.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/swami-vivekananda/every-action-that-helps-us-manifest-our-divine-nature-more-and-more/)

[Swami Vivekananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/swami-vivekananda/)

> [As you begin changing your thinking, start immediately to change your behaviour. Begin to act the part of the person you would like to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/as-you-begin-changing-your-thinking-start-immediately-to-change-your/)

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

> [It's easy to say, let's go in and get the bad guys. But you have a divided country of Sunnis and Shias. The United…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tulsi-gabbard/it-s-easy-to-say-let-s-go-in-and-get-the-bad-guys-but-you-have-a/)

[Tulsi Gabbard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tulsi-gabbard/)

> [For comedy action, I must know the language.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sammo-hung/for-comedy-action-i-must-know-the-language/)

[Sammo Hung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sammo-hung/)

> [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/)

[Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/)

> [“Action is a powerful thing. When you smile through your sadness, it can completely change your outlook. Try it! Smile :) Now hold onto…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leticia-rae/action-is-a-powerful-thing-when-you-smile-through-your-sadness-it-can/)

[Leticia Rae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leticia-rae/)

> [I reject criticism because the last thing I wanted was to sit there and look at people talking. I think people are conditioned to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-tyrnauer/i-reject-criticism-because-the-last-thing-i-wanted-was-to-sit-there/)

[Matt Tyrnauer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-tyrnauer/)

> [“I take my actions because of my passion not because of compulsion.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-kalantri/i-take-my-actions-because-of-my-passion-not-because-of-compulsion/)

[Amit Kalantri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-kalantri/)

> [When the first Superman movie came out I was frequently asked "What is a hero?" ...My answer was that a hero is someone who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-reeve/when-the-first-superman-movie-came-out-i-was-frequently-asked-what-is/)

[Christopher Reeve](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-reeve/)

[Browse all 14,940 Action quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/action/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Let us not demand of ourselves that we alone must be the agent of change. In a fire brigade everyone passes along a bucket, but only the last person puts out the fire. None of us know where we stand in line. We may be here simply to pass a bucket; we may be called on to play a major role. In either case, all we can do is think, act, and say. Let us direct our thoughts, words, and actions to peace. That is all we can do. Let the results be what they will be.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Deepak Chopra"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/let-us-not-demand-of-ourselves-that-we-alone-must-be-the-agent-of/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Action"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/let-us-not-demand-of-ourselves-that-we-alone-must-be-the-agent-of/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f02/deepak-chopra-63_action_let-us-not-demand-of-ourselves-that-we-a_2283626.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f02/deepak-chopra-63_action_let-us-not-demand-of-ourselves-that-we-a_2283626.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f02/deepak-chopra-63_action_let-us-not-demand-of-ourselves-that-we-a_2283626.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Let us not demand of ourselves that we alone must be the agent of change. In a fire brigade everyone passes…” — Deepak Chopra",
                "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": "Deepak Chopra",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deepak-chopra/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Let us not demand of ourselves...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/let-us-not-demand-of-ourselves-that-we-alone-must-be-the-agent-of/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deepak-chopra/let-us-not-demand-of-ourselves-that-we-alone-must-be-the-agent-of/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
