--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Given what we have and what we know, we…" description: "\"“Given what we have and what we know, we ought to be a better people than we are. We ought to be more Christlike, more forgiving, more helpful and cons..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a79/gordon-b-hinckley-331_better-people_given-what-we-have-and-what-we-know-we-o_1246176.png" --- # Given what we have and what we know, we ought to be a… ![“Given what we have and what we know, we ought to be a better people than we are. We ought to be more Christlike, more forgiving, more helpful and considerate to all around us.” quote by Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a79/gordon-b-hinckley-331_better-people_given-what-we-have-and-what-we-know-we-o_1246176.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a79/gordon-b-hinckley-331_better-people_given-what-we-have-and-what-we-know-we-o_1246176.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a79/gordon-b-hinckley-331_better-people_given-what-we-have-and-what-we-know-we-o_1246176.png) > ““Given what we have and what we know, we ought to be a better people than we are. We ought to be more Christlike, more forgiving, more helpful and considerate to all around us.”” [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Hinckley urges people to strive for higher moral standards, emulating Christ’s compassion, forgiveness, and helpfulness. **In simple terms:** We should aim to be kinder and more Christ‑like. Key Takeaway Cultivate Christ‑like virtues daily. Themes morality spiritual growth compassion Mood hopeful inspirational Type religious motivational When to use this quote - family life - community service - personal reflection Key Concepts Christian ethics personal development service Questions to Reflect On - What concrete steps can you take to be more forgiving? - How can you help others today? A Different Perspective Perfect behavior is unattainable; progress is gradual. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [A loser says that's the way it's always been done. A winner says there ought to be a better way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sydney-j-harris/a-loser-says-that-s-the-way-it-s-always-been-done-a-winner-says-there/) [Sydney J. Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sydney-j-harris/) > [from the beginning of my sojourn in this world there was a persistent vacancy in me where the industry ought to be. (Ought to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/from-the-beginning-of-my-sojourn-in-this-world-there-was-a-persistent/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [If your experiment needs statistics, you ought to have done a better experiment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ernest-rutherford/if-your-experiment-needs-statistics-you-ought-to-have-done-a-better/) [Ernest Rutherford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ernest-rutherford/) > [It is all true, or it ought to be; and more and better besides.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-all-true-or-it-ought-to-be-and-more-and-better-besides/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“For since a Prince by birth has fewer occasions and less need to give offence, he ought to be better loved, and will naturally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/niccolo-machiavelli/for-since-a-prince-by-birth-has-fewer-occasions-and-less-need-to-give/) [Niccolò Machiavelli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/niccolo-machiavelli/) > [There ought to be a better way than government to run the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ashleigh-brilliant/there-ought-to-be-a-better-way-than-government-to-run-the-world/) [Ashleigh Brilliant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ashleigh-brilliant/) > [I do think that people ought to have some control over their money, rather than the government, just mandating to them how they're going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saxby-chambliss/i-do-think-that-people-ought-to-have-some-control-over-their-money/) [Saxby Chambliss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/saxby-chambliss/) > [In my opinion, economists and sociologists are the people to whom we ought to turn more than we do for instruction in the grounds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/in-my-opinion-economists-and-sociologists-are-the-people-to-whom-we/) [Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-wendell-holmes-jr/) > [People ought to shop smart and really think about what they are buying.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allen-crawford/people-ought-to-shop-smart-and-really-think-about-what-they-are-buying/) [Allen Crawford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allen-crawford/) > [She says people ought to learn to live like them, with the body abandoned in a wilderness, and in the mind the memory of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marguerite-duras/she-says-people-ought-to-learn-to-live-like-them-with-the-body/) [Marguerite Duras](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marguerite-duras/) > [A free people ought...to be armed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-washington/a-free-people-ought-to-be-armed/) [George Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-washington/) > [“Well, I think that what used to be called, centuries ago, "wage slavery" is intolerable. And I don't think people ought to be forced…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/well-i-think-that-what-used-to-be-called-centuries-ago-wage-slavery/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [Although all men are born free, slavery has been the general lot of the human race. Ignorant--they have been cheated; asleep--they have been surprised;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-madison/although-all-men-are-born-free-slavery-has-been-the-general-lot-of/) [James Madison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-madison/) > [On my reading of history people who want to bring us the best are usually the people we ought to be afraid of.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dale-jamieson/on-my-reading-of-history-people-who-want-to-bring-us-the-best-are/) [Dale Jamieson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dale-jamieson/) > [All the people ought to decide, but now most states are tossed on the scrap heap and ignored](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-anderson/all-the-people-ought-to-decide-but-now-most-states-are-tossed-on-the/) [John Anderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-anderson/) ## More by Gordon B. Hinckley > [“Now we are at war. Great forces have been mobilized and will continue to be. Political alliances are being forged. We do not know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/now-we-are-at-war-great-forces-have-been-mobilized-and-will-continue/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [“Do not trade your birthright as a mother for some bauble of passing value. Let your first interest be in your home. The baby…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/do-not-trade-your-birthright-as-a-mother-for-some-bauble-of-passing/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [Some husbands regard it as their prerogative to compel their wives to fit their standards of what they think to be the ideal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/some-husbands-regard-it-as-their-prerogative-to-compel-their-wives-to/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [There have been times when a particularly heavy dose of such cynicism has caused me to reflect that surely this is the age and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/there-have-been-times-when-a-particularly-heavy-dose-of-such-cynicism/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [We must work harder to build mutual respect, an attitude of tolerance, with forbearance one for another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/we-must-work-harder-to-build-mutual-respect-an-attitude-of-tolerance/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [Who can calculate the wounds inflicted, their depth and pain, by harsh and mean words spoken in anger? How pitiful a sight is a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/who-can-calculate-the-wounds-inflicted-their-depth-and-pain-by-harsh/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [If you will make your first concern the comfort, the well-being, and the happiness of your companion, sublimating any personal concern to that loftier…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/if-you-will-make-your-first-concern-the-comfort-the-well-being-and/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [Get on your knees and pray, then get on your feet and work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/get-on-your-knees-and-pray-then-get-on-your-feet-and-work/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [I have now been an officer in this Church for a very long time. I am an old man who cannot deny the calendar.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/i-have-now-been-an-officer-in-this-church-for-a-very-long-time-i-am/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [Books represent the accumulated workings of the human mind, the endless treasures of man's thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/books-represent-the-accumulated-workings-of-the-human-mind-the/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [The Voice of Heaven is a still small voice. The voice of peace in the home is a quiet voice. There is need for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/the-voice-of-heaven-is-a-still-small-voice-the-voice-of-peace-in-the/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [We wear on our faces the results of what we believe and how we behave, and such behavior is most evident in the eyes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/we-wear-on-our-faces-the-results-of-what-we-believe-and-how-we-behave/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [You are great young people. I have said again and again, we have the finest generation of young people ever in the history of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/you-are-great-young-people-i-have-said-again-and-again-we-have-the/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [Work without vision is drudgery. Vision without work is dreaming. Work plus vision-this is destiny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/work-without-vision-is-drudgery-vision-without-work-is-dreaming-work/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) > [There is no association richer than the companionship of husband and wife.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/there-is-no-association-richer-than-the-companionship-of-husband-and/) [Gordon B. Hinckley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) [Explore all 669 Gordon B. Hinckley quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/) ## More Better People quotes > [It's better for people to miss you than to have seen too much of you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-norton/it-s-better-for-people-to-miss-you-than-to-have-seen-too-much-of-you/) [Edward Norton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-norton/) > [Sometimes being alone is better than being with people who do not appreciate your love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/sometimes-being-alone-is-better-than-being-with-people-who-do-not/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Britain deserves better than people who say they've got a quick fix but won't tell you what it actually means for Britain, we need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ruth-davidson/britain-deserves-better-than-people-who-say-they-ve-got-a-quick-fix/) [Ruth Davidson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ruth-davidson/) > [You can't go on living in past and having regrets. Its better people have a positive influence on other people's lives than worry about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-mcgrath/you-can-t-go-on-living-in-past-and-having-regrets-its-better-people/) [Glenn McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-mcgrath/) > [Many people have come and left, and it has been always good because they emptied some space for better people. It is a strange…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/many-people-have-come-and-left-and-it-has-been-always-good-because/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I think the socialist movement, by removing many, many people from grinding stagnation and poverty and overwork, does enable people not just to lead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-hitchens/i-think-the-socialist-movement-by-removing-many-many-people-from/) [Christopher Hitchens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-hitchens/) > [The world could be a lot better if people correct their own mistakes rather than criticizing others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/the-world-could-be-a-lot-better-if-people-correct-their-own-mistakes/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [It's crazy to me that people still need to feel better than other people because of something as simple as skin colour or sexuality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katy-o-brian/it-s-crazy-to-me-that-people-still-need-to-feel-better-than-other/) [Katy O'Brian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katy-o-brian/) > [There are no kinder or better people in the world than those who listen to you when you are 18.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/there-are-no-kinder-or-better-people-in-the-world-than-those-who/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Government exists for one purpose: to make things better for all people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-roosevelt/government-exists-for-one-purpose-to-make-things-better-for-all-people/) [Eleanor Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-roosevelt/) > [The people who have impressed me most - and the closest I've come to having heroes - are the people who have devoted their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-cockburn/the-people-who-have-impressed-me-most-and-the-closest-i-ve-come-to/) [Bruce Cockburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-cockburn/) > [I'd always wanted to believe that my ancestors were better people than they probably were. - Princess Emma](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/e-d-baker/i-d-always-wanted-to-believe-that-my-ancestors-were-better-people/) [E.D. Baker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/e-d-baker/) > [We are defined by our dignity to rise above debasement. We are certainly better people for doing so.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corey-taylor/we-are-defined-by-our-dignity-to-rise-above-debasement-we-are/) [Corey Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corey-taylor/) > [It is better that people hate you for what you are than to love you for what you not.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-better-that-people-hate-you-for-what-you-are-than-to-love-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [American exceptionalism, in the broad sense, is not a bunch of braggadocious words people say, "Yeah, we're better people. We have a better country.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/american-exceptionalism-in-the-broad-sense-is-not-a-bunch-of/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) Browse all 221 Better People quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Given what we have and what we know, we ought to be a better people than we are. We ought to be more Christlike, more forgiving, more helpful and considerate to all around us.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Gordon B. Hinckley" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/given-what-we-have-and-what-we-know-we-ought-to-be-a-better-people/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Better People" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/given-what-we-have-and-what-we-know-we-ought-to-be-a-better-people/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a79/gordon-b-hinckley-331_better-people_given-what-we-have-and-what-we-know-we-o_1246176.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a79/gordon-b-hinckley-331_better-people_given-what-we-have-and-what-we-know-we-o_1246176.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a79/gordon-b-hinckley-331_better-people_given-what-we-have-and-what-we-know-we-o_1246176.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Given what we have and what we know, we ought to be a better people than we are. We ought to be more…” — Gordon B. Hinckley", "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": "Gordon B. Hinckley", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gordon-b-hinckley/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Given what we have and what...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/given-what-we-have-and-what-we-know-we-ought-to-be-a-better-people/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gordon-b-hinckley/given-what-we-have-and-what-we-know-we-ought-to-be-a-better-people/#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 } } ] } ```