--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Are you willing to stoop down and…" description: "\"“Are you willing to stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children; to remember the weaknesses and lonliness of people who are growin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/118/henry-van-dyke-2453_ask-yourself_are-you-willing-to-stoop-down-and-consid_2027748.png" --- # Are you willing to stoop down and consider the needs and… ![“Are you willing to stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children; to remember the weaknesses and lonliness of people who are growing old; to stop asking how much your friends love you, and to ask yourself if you love them enough; to bear in mind the things that other people have…” quote by Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/118/henry-van-dyke-2453_ask-yourself_are-you-willing-to-stoop-down-and-consid_2027748.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/118/henry-van-dyke-2453_ask-yourself_are-you-willing-to-stoop-down-and-consid_2027748.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/118/henry-van-dyke-2453_ask-yourself_are-you-willing-to-stoop-down-and-consid_2027748.png) > ““Are you willing to stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children; to remember the weaknesses and lonliness of people who are growing old; to stop asking how much your friends love you, and to ask yourself if you love them enough; to bear in mind the things that other people have to bear on their hearts; to trim your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke, and to carry it in front so that your shadow will fall behind you; to make a grave for your ugly thougts and a garden for your kindly feelings, with the gate open? Are you willing to do these things for a day? Then you are ready to keep Christmas!”” [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A call to empathize with others, especially the vulnerable, and to act selflessly as a measure of true holiday spirit. **In simple terms:** Empathy and self‑sacrifice define a genuine Christmas. Key Takeaway Practice daily kindness and humility. Themes empathy self‑sacrifice holiday spirit humility Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - volunteering - family gatherings - helping the elderly - supporting children Key Concepts moral philosophy social responsibility Questions to Reflect On - How can you show compassion to strangers today? - What small sacrifice could improve someone’s day? A Different Perspective May personal comfort conflict with self‑less acts. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ask yourself](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ask-yourself/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Christmas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/christmas/) [Consider](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consider/) [Consider Needs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/consider-needs-1875343/) [Friends love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friends-love/) [Growing old](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/growing-old/) [Psychology](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/psychology/) [Willing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/willing/) [Willing Stoop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/willing-stoop-3707590/) [Willing Things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/willing-things-416544/) ## Related quotes > [“Are you willing to forget what you have done for other people and to remember what other people have done for you; to ignore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-kennedy/are-you-willing-to-forget-what-you-have-done-for-other-people-and-to/) [Caroline Kennedy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-kennedy/) > [Be careful to consider others' needs, not just your own. In this way you'll reach your objective with serenity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/be-careful-to-consider-others-needs-not-just-your-own-in-this-way-you/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [Always be careful to consider others' needs, not just your own. In this way you'll able to maintain happiness and serenity in relationship.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anurag-prakash-ray/always-be-careful-to-consider-others-needs-not-just-your-own-in-this/) [Anurag Prakash Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anurag-prakash-ray/) > [People will always be more willing to give you things that they think you don't need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-sylver/people-will-always-be-more-willing-to-give-you-things-that-they-think/) [Marshall Sylver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marshall-sylver/) > [You must be willing to do things today others won't do, in order to have the things tomorrow others won't have](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/les-brown/you-must-be-willing-to-do-things-today-others-won-t-do-in-order-to/) [Les Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/les-brown/) > [I want to be one that is willing to do things that are not easy but that need to be done.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-lee/i-want-to-be-one-that-is-willing-to-do-things-that-are-not-easy-but/) [Mike Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-lee/) > [What you want to do is put people in a position where they feel connected enough to you that they're willing to collaborate with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-voss/what-you-want-to-do-is-put-people-in-a-position-where-they-feel/) [Christopher Voss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-voss/) > [If you are going to do large-scale invention, you have to be willing to do three things: You must be willing to fail; you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeff-bezos/if-you-are-going-to-do-large-scale-invention-you-have-to-be-willing/) [Jeff Bezos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeff-bezos/) > [Joy is being willing for things to be as they are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/joy-is-being-willing-for-things-to-be-as-they-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'll be willing to do things that politicians won't do. Because I don't care who I upset.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-rauner/i-ll-be-willing-to-do-things-that-politicians-won-t-do-because-i-don/) [Bruce Rauner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-rauner/) > [Successful people are willing to do things unsuccessful people will not do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-c-maxwell/successful-people-are-willing-to-do-things-unsuccessful-people-will/) [John C. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-c-maxwell/) > [I do believe in thinking and willing things into existence, obviously putting in the work for it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-barrera/i-do-believe-in-thinking-and-willing-things-into-existence-obviously/) [Melissa Barrera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-barrera/) > [“Don’t let fears of what others think of you stand in your way. You must be willing to do things in the unique ways…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/don-t-let-fears-of-what-others-think-of-you-stand-in-your-way-you/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) > [It's because I have no sense of shame that I'm always willing to give things a go: I've ridden horses naked into the sea,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abbey-lee-kershaw/it-s-because-i-have-no-sense-of-shame-that-i-m-always-willing-to-give/) [Abbey Lee Kershaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abbey-lee-kershaw/) > [Life's funny chucklehead. You only get one and you don't want to throw it away. But you can't really live it at all unless…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-klavan/life-s-funny-chucklehead-you-only-get-one-and-you-don-t-want-to-throw/) [Andrew Klavan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-klavan/) ## More by Henry Van Dyke > [I know that Europe's wonderful, yet something seems to lack;The Past is too much with her, and the people looking back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/i-know-that-europe-s-wonderful-yet-something-seems-to-lack-the-past/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [The Bible does not profess to make men omniscient, but simply to tell them enough to make them happy and good, if they will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/the-bible-does-not-profess-to-make-men-omniscient-but-simply-to-tell/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [So in the heart, When, fading slowly down the past, Fond memories depart, And each that leaves it seems the last; Long after all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/so-in-the-heart-when-fading-slowly-down-the-past-fond-memories-depart/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [It is with rivers as it is with people: the greatest are not always the most agreeable nor the best to live with.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/it-is-with-rivers-as-it-is-with-people-the-greatest-are-not-always/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [A little while the rose, And after that the thorn; An hour of dewy morn, And then the glamour goes. Ah, love in beauty…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/a-little-while-the-rose-and-after-that-the-thorn-an-hour-of-dewy-morn/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [A peace that depends on fear is nothing but a suppressed war.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/a-peace-that-depends-on-fear-is-nothing-but-a-suppressed-war/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Love is not about getting - but giving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/love-is-not-about-getting-but-giving/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Favorite People, Favorite Places, Favorite Memories of the past ... These are the joys of a lifetime Those are the things that last](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/favorite-people-favorite-places-favorite-memories-of-the-past-these/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Religion? Yes, I know it well; I've heard its prayers and creeds, And seen men put them all to shame with poor, half-hearted deeds.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/religion-yes-i-know-it-well-i-ve-heard-its-prayers-and-creeds-and/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [It is better to desire the things we have than to have the things we desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/it-is-better-to-desire-the-things-we-have-than-to-have-the-things-we/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Jazz: Music invented for the torture of imbeciles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/jazz-music-invented-for-the-torture-of-imbeciles/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Lord, when my spirit shall return to thee, At the foot of a friendly tree let my body be buried, That this dust may…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/lord-when-my-spirit-shall-return-to-thee-at-the-foot-of-a-friendly/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/gratitude-is-the-inward-feeling-of-kindness-received-thankfulness-is/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [In warlike pomp, with banners flowing, The regiments of autumn stood: I saw their gold and scarlet glowing From every hillside, every wood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/in-warlike-pomp-with-banners-flowing-the-regiments-of-autumn-stood-i/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) > [There is a better thing than the observance of Christmas day, and that is, keeping Christmas.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-van-dyke/there-is-a-better-thing-than-the-observance-of-christmas-day-and-that/) [Henry Van Dyke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) [Explore all 165 Henry Van Dyke quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-van-dyke/) ## More Ask yourself quotes > [“If you want to stop smoking, ask yourself, do you do it because you love nicotine, or because it provides a burst of stimulation,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-duhigg/if-you-want-to-stop-smoking-ask-yourself-do-you-do-it-because-you/) [Charles Duhigg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-duhigg/) > [Cultivate the habit of thinking ahead, and of anticipating the necessary and immediate consequences of all your actions… Likewise in your pleasures, ask yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-chesterfield/cultivate-the-habit-of-thinking-ahead-and-of-anticipating-the/) [Lord Chesterfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lord-chesterfield/) > [“I've written about persistence and perseverance and yet for those of us with patchwork lives (projects, earnings, caretaking, home-tending, playing, friending, loving, celebrating, hurting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shellen-lubin/i-ve-written-about-persistence-and-perseverance-and-yet-for-those-of/) [Shellen Lubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shellen-lubin/) > [When you experience difficulty at work or in your life, instead of looking back on it as something that was really challenging, look at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caroline-ghosn/when-you-experience-difficulty-at-work-or-in-your-life-instead-of/) [Caroline Ghosn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caroline-ghosn/) > [“ask yourself how many people you have met who grumbled at a thing as incurable, and how many who attacked it as curable? How…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-k-chesterton/ask-yourself-how-many-people-you-have-met-who-grumbled-at-a-thing-as/) [G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/) > [“I have seen plenty of ‘Struggle minus Success’ stories where you are forced to ask yourself ‘Why to him/her?’. There are few questions unanswered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhavik-sarkhedi/i-have-seen-plenty-of-struggle-minus-success-stories-where-you-are/) [Bhavik Sarkhedi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhavik-sarkhedi/) > [“What is true for you? What makes your heart smile? When do you feel most yourself? What do you love to do? Ask yourself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-stabile/what-is-true-for-you-what-makes-your-heart-smile-when-do-you-feel/) [Scott Stabile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-stabile/) > [“When a bad experience shakes your faith in humanity, hold those depressing thoughts and ask yourself. 1. How many things in life have you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drishti-bablani/when-a-bad-experience-shakes-your-faith-in-humanity-hold-those/) [Drishti Bablani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drishti-bablani/) > [“It is important you understand how fear affects you and how it drives human behavior so you can start to see situations and people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-giles/it-is-important-you-understand-how-fear-affects-you-and-how-it-drives/) [Kimberly Giles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-giles/) > [“It is idle to talk always of the alternative of reason and faith. Reason is itself a matter of faith. It is an act…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/g-k-chesterton/it-is-idle-to-talk-always-of-the-alternative-of-reason-and-faith/) [G.K. Chesterton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/g-k-chesterton/) > [Picture your life exactly the way you want it and then ask yourself, am I doing the things that will take me there? Take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-cook/picture-your-life-exactly-the-way-you-want-it-and-then-ask-yourself/) [Stephanie Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-cook/) > [“Just make sure you've taken a moment or two to ask yourself if it's really a need, and to reflect on the potential benefits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pam-laricchia/just-make-sure-you-ve-taken-a-moment-or-two-to-ask-yourself-if-it-s/) [Pam Laricchia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pam-laricchia/) > [“Em's the first woman I've met who seems to be...well, the answer.' 'Answer to what?' He shrugged. 'All the questions, I suppose.' Fay looked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-gillard/em-s-the-first-woman-i-ve-met-who-seems-to-be-well-the-answer-answer/) [Linda Gillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-gillard/) > [“Listen to what you tell yourself about your life situation. If you find it's pessimistic or negative, ask yourself, "What's another way of thinking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-a-robinson/listen-to-what-you-tell-yourself-about-your-life-situation-if-you/) [Lynn A. Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-a-robinson/) > [“Often the most tricky questions are the ones we secretly know the answers of. What are you running from? What are you waiting for?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanhita-baruah/often-the-most-tricky-questions-are-the-ones-we-secretly-know-the/) [Sanhita Baruah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanhita-baruah/) [Browse all 1,272 Ask yourself quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ask-yourself/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Are you willing to stoop down and consider the needs and desires of little children; to remember the weaknesses and lonliness of people who are growing old; to stop asking how much your friends love you, and to ask yourself if you love them enough; to bear in mind the things that other people have to bear on their hearts; to trim your lamp so that it will give more light and less smoke, and to carry it in front so that your shadow will fall behind you; to make a grave for your ugly thougts and a garden for your kindly feelings, with the gate open? Are you willing to do these things for a day? 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