--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Toleration is the greatest gift of the…" description: "\"Toleration is the greatest gift of the mind; it requires the same effort of the brain that it takes to balance oneself on a bicycle.\" — Helen Keller" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f6/helen-keller-429_balance_toleration-is-the-greatest-gift-of-the-m_697562.png" --- # Toleration is the greatest gift of the mind; it requires… ![“Toleration is the greatest gift of the mind; it requires the same effort of the brain that it takes to balance oneself on a bicycle.” quote by Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f6/helen-keller-429_balance_toleration-is-the-greatest-gift-of-the-m_697562.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f6/helen-keller-429_balance_toleration-is-the-greatest-gift-of-the-m_697562.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f6/helen-keller-429_balance_toleration-is-the-greatest-gift-of-the-m_697562.png) > “Toleration is the greatest gift of the mind; it requires the same effort of the brain that it takes to balance oneself on a bicycle.” [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Balancing tolerance requires mental effort similar to physical balance on a bike. **In simple terms:** Tolerance needs effort like riding a bike. Key Takeaway Practice mental balance daily. Themes tolerance mindfulness effort Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - conflict resolution - team leadership - personal growth Key Concepts psychology balance self‑control Questions to Reflect On - How do you practice mental balance? - What challenges your tolerance? A Different Perspective Tolerance can be exhausted if not nurtured. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Balance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/) [Bicycle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bicycle/) [Brain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/brain/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Greatest gift](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatest-gift/) [Mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mind/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Toleration](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/toleration/) ## Related quotes > [Toleration is the greatest gift of the mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/toleration-is-the-greatest-gift-of-the-mind/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [“The greatest gift you can ever give yourself is a mind of your own.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-t-mcgrath/the-greatest-gift-you-can-ever-give-yourself-is-a-mind-of-your-own/) [Joel T. McGrath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-t-mcgrath/) > [I dream, make a wish, attract with this precious gift, the gift of mind..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raghib-clitso/i-dream-make-a-wish-attract-with-this-precious-gift-the-gift-of-mind/) [Raghib Clitso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raghib-clitso/) > [It is often said that reading is a gift, but to my mind that is an insufficient description, for the size of the gift…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-handler/it-is-often-said-that-reading-is-a-gift-but-to-my-mind-that-is-an/) [Daniel Handler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-handler/) > [I was given a gift, but sometimes to me it has been far from that. I was blessed with a ability to put pen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adar-burks/i-was-given-a-gift-but-sometimes-to-me-it-has-been-far-from-that-i/) [Adar Burks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adar-burks/) > [My suggestion is that at each state the proper order of operation of the mind requires an overall grasp of what is generally known,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-bohm/my-suggestion-is-that-at-each-state-the-proper-order-of-operation-of/) [David Bohm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-bohm/) > [“The evolution of mind requires a diet of knowledge.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-waterwyk/the-evolution-of-mind-requires-a-diet-of-knowledge/) [Susan Waterwyk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-waterwyk/) > [The average mind requires a change of environment before he can change his thought. He has to go somewhere or bring into his presence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-d-larson/the-average-mind-requires-a-change-of-environment-before-he-can/) [Christian D. Larson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-d-larson/) > [“Be courageous requires not only, on the one hand, a watchful mind; it requires, on the other hand, also, the indispensable strong will to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-kristian-goldmund-aumann/be-courageous-requires-not-only-on-the-one-hand-a-watchful-mind-it/) Sir Kristian Goldmund Aumann > [Freedom of the mind requires not only, or not even especially the absence of legal constraints but the presence of alternative thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/allan-bloom/freedom-of-the-mind-requires-not-only-or-not-even-especially-the/) [Allan Bloom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/allan-bloom/) > [The mind requires regular use to remain strong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/the-mind-requires-regular-use-to-remain-strong/) [Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/) > [Next to a leisurely walk I enjoy a spin on my tandem bicycle. It is splendid to feel the wind blowing in my face…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/next-to-a-leisurely-walk-i-enjoy-a-spin-on-my-tandem-bicycle-it-is/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [It is the darling delusion of mankind that the world is progressive in religion, toleration, freedom, as it is progressive in machinery.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moncure-d-conway/it-is-the-darling-delusion-of-mankind-that-the-world-is-progressive/) [Moncure D. Conway](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moncure-d-conway/) > [“Toleration is the prerogative of humanity; we are all full of weaknesses and mistakes; let us reciprocally forgive ourselves. It is the first law…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/voltaire/toleration-is-the-prerogative-of-humanity-we-are-all-full-of/) [Voltaire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/voltaire/) > [No one says to them self - when I grow up I want to be tolerated. Ethnicity is not a choice anyone makes for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jordan-blake-michiels/no-one-says-to-them-self-when-i-grow-up-i-want-to-be-tolerated/) [Jordan Blake Michiels](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jordan-blake-michiels/) ## More by Helen Keller > [He who is content with what has been done is an obstacle in the path of progress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/he-who-is-content-with-what-has-been-done-is-an-obstacle-in-the-path/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [I rejoice to live in such a splendidly disturbing time!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/i-rejoice-to-live-in-such-a-splendidly-disturbing-time/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [The clatter of a changing world is not pleasant, and those who have enjoyed the comforts and protection of the old order may be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/the-clatter-of-a-changing-world-is-not-pleasant-and-those-who-have/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [Be of good cheer. Do not think of today's failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/be-of-good-cheer-do-not-think-of-today-s-failures-but-of-the-success/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [When indeed shall we learn that we are all related one to the other, that we are all members of one body? Until the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/when-indeed-shall-we-learn-that-we-are-all-related-one-to-the-other/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [I have visited sweatshops, factories, and crowded slums. If I could not see it, I could smell it. The foundation of society is laid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/i-have-visited-sweatshops-factories-and-crowded-slums-if-i-could-not/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [If we do not like our work, and do not try to get happiness out of it, we are a menace to our profession…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/if-we-do-not-like-our-work-and-do-not-try-to-get-happiness-out-of-it/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/alone-we-can-do-so-little-together-we-can-do-so-much/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [I do not want the peace which passeth understanding, I want the understanding which bringeth peace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/i-do-not-want-the-peace-which-passeth-understanding-i-want-the/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/although-the-world-is-full-of-suffering-it-is-also-full-of-the/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [Love? Why ... it is what everybody feels for everybody else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/love-why-it-is-what-everybody-feels-for-everybody-else/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [Blindness separates us from things but deafness separates us from people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/blindness-separates-us-from-things-but-deafness-separates-us-from/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [A simple, childlike faith in a Divine Friend solves all the problems that come to us by land or sea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/a-simple-childlike-faith-in-a-divine-friend-solves-all-the-problems/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [“A beam from the everlasting sun of God. Rude and unresponsive are the stones; Yet in them divine things lie concealed; I hear their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/a-beam-from-the-everlasting-sun-of-god-rude-and-unresponsive-are-the/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) > [I can see in what you call the dark, but which to me is golden.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/i-can-see-in-what-you-call-the-dark-but-which-to-me-is-golden/) [Helen Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) [Explore all 568 Helen Keller quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/) ## More Balance quotes > [Balance suggests a perfect equilibrium. There is no such thing. That is a false expectation… There are going to be priorities and dimensions of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denise-morrison/balance-suggests-a-perfect-equilibrium-there-is-no-such-thing-that-is/) [Denise Morrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denise-morrison/) > [The bones of my architecture are very much related to the structure, to the physical fact of how a building can stand up; it's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/santiago-calatrava/the-bones-of-my-architecture-are-very-much-related-to-the-structure/) [Santiago Calatrava](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/santiago-calatrava/) > [I can still function when I don't have that balance I crave. I had a tendency to be precious about acting, thinking of it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laura-regan/i-can-still-function-when-i-don-t-have-that-balance-i-crave-i-had-a/) [Laura Regan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laura-regan/) > [she got a reputation for an easy smile and a sharp tongue, and using one to balance the other, she seemed friendly but distant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dorothy-allison/she-got-a-reputation-for-an-easy-smile-and-a-sharp-tongue-and-using/) [Dorothy Allison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dorothy-allison/) > [Life's unfairness is not irrevocable; we can help balance the scales for others, if not always for ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hubert-h-humphrey/life-s-unfairness-is-not-irrevocable-we-can-help-balance-the-scales/) [Hubert H. Humphrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hubert-h-humphrey/) > [“We don't need to strive towards balance, we rather need to work on the obstacles that are preventing the natural flow of balance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-a-alebraheem/we-don-t-need-to-strive-towards-balance-we-rather-need-to-work-on-the/) [A.A. Alebraheem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-a-alebraheem/) > [I think that kind of balance comes with the process of growing together as a band, the Little Dragon. We love to write, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yukimi-nagano/i-think-that-kind-of-balance-comes-with-the-process-of-growing/) [Yukimi Nagano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yukimi-nagano/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [At times of recession, running a budget deficit is highly desirable. Once the economy begins to recover, you have to balance the budget. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-soros/at-times-of-recession-running-a-budget-deficit-is-highly-desirable/) [George Soros](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-soros/) > [It's my intention to make something stand outside the realm of album art, but it also feels comfortable to me to be in it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-dyer-baizley/it-s-my-intention-to-make-something-stand-outside-the-realm-of-album/) [John Dyer Baizley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-dyer-baizley/) > [Once you've gotten your money in balance, you know how much you have to spend on things that are just fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-warren/once-you-ve-gotten-your-money-in-balance-you-know-how-much-you-have/) [Elizabeth Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-warren/) > [I never understood how much running changes your life. I'm now obsessed. When not trying to beat my personal best, I'm talking to other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sadiq-khan/i-never-understood-how-much-running-changes-your-life-i-m-now/) [Sadiq Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sadiq-khan/) > [Whatever needed to be done, I need to know how to do it just as well as my wife. You know, for us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jason-isbell/whatever-needed-to-be-done-i-need-to-know-how-to-do-it-just-as-well/) [Jason Isbell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jason-isbell/) > [I don't think my parents would have let me go straight into acting full time when I was 12. I do like to have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felicity-jones/i-don-t-think-my-parents-would-have-let-me-go-straight-into-acting/) [Felicity Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felicity-jones/) > [When it comes down to music, I have no balance. I am 100 percent. It is like full throttle. Five hundred miles an hour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yanni/when-it-comes-down-to-music-i-have-no-balance-i-am-100-percent-it-is/) [Yanni](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yanni/) [Browse all 5,166 Balance quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/balance/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Toleration is the greatest gift of the mind; it requires the same effort of the brain that it takes to balance oneself on a bicycle.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Helen Keller" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/toleration-is-the-greatest-gift-of-the-mind-it-requires-the-same/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Balance" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/toleration-is-the-greatest-gift-of-the-mind-it-requires-the-same/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f6/helen-keller-429_balance_toleration-is-the-greatest-gift-of-the-m_697562.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f6/helen-keller-429_balance_toleration-is-the-greatest-gift-of-the-m_697562.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f6/helen-keller-429_balance_toleration-is-the-greatest-gift-of-the-m_697562.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Toleration is the greatest gift of the mind; it requires the same effort of the brain that it takes to…” — Helen Keller", "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": "Helen Keller", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-keller/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Toleration is the greatest gift of...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/toleration-is-the-greatest-gift-of-the-mind-it-requires-the-same/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-keller/toleration-is-the-greatest-gift-of-the-mind-it-requires-the-same/#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 } } ] } ```