--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If I could wish for immortality on earth…" description: "\"If I could wish for immortality on earth, it would only be for the power of relieving the distressed.\" — Maria Theresa" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87d/maria-theresa-58934_compassion_if-i-could-wish-for-immortality-on-earth_1207410.png" --- # If I could wish for immortality on earth, it would only be… ![“If I could wish for immortality on earth, it would only be for the power of relieving the distressed.” quote by Maria Theresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87d/maria-theresa-58934_compassion_if-i-could-wish-for-immortality-on-earth_1207410.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87d/maria-theresa-58934_compassion_if-i-could-wish-for-immortality-on-earth_1207410.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87d/maria-theresa-58934_compassion_if-i-could-wish-for-immortality-on-earth_1207410.png) > “If I could wish for immortality on earth, it would only be for the power of relieving the distressed.” [Maria Theresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-theresa/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. If immortal, she would use it to alleviate suffering of the distressed. **In simple terms:** Immortality for helping the suffering. Key Takeaway Seek ways to ease others’ pain now. Themes compassion immortality service Mood empathetic determined hopeful Type inspirational ethical When to use this quote - healthcare - social work - philanthropy - emergency aid Key Concepts ethical altruism humanitarianism Questions to Reflect On - How can you contribute to relief today? - What does “relieving the distressed” mean to you? A Different Perspective Immortality is unattainable; focus on present impact. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Death](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/death/) [Earth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/earth/) [Immortality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/immortality/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) ## Related quotes > [The nearest approach to immortality on earth is a government bureau.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-f-byrnes/the-nearest-approach-to-immortality-on-earth-is-a-government-bureau/) [James F. Byrnes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-f-byrnes/) > [“Let not the rash marble risk garrulous breaches of oblivion's omnipotence, in many words recalling name, renown, events, birthplace. All those glass jewels are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorge-luis-borges/let-not-the-rash-marble-risk-garrulous-breaches-of-oblivion-s/) [Jorge Luis Borges](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorge-luis-borges/) > [“Love of my life. Love. Of. My. Life. A retrospectively absurd concept since the most I can say is that he was the love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luke-davies/love-of-my-life-love-of-my-life-a-retrospectively-absurd-concept/) [Luke Davies](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luke-davies/) > [“No wish for immortality But for the eternal black and tranquility For a cold dark place where life is not And a shallow grave…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naglfar/no-wish-for-immortality-but-for-the-eternal-black-and-tranquility-for/) Naglfar > [“Many wish for immortality who don't know how to spend a rainy Sunday afternoon. ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-entz/many-wish-for-immortality-who-don-t-know-how-to-spend-a-rainy-sunday/) Susan Entz > [Sometimes I shrink from your knowing what I have felt for you, and sometimes I am distressed that all of it you will never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-hardy/sometimes-i-shrink-from-your-knowing-what-i-have-felt-for-you-and/) [Thomas Hardy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-hardy/) > [I, being born a woman and distressed By all the needs and notions of my kind...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edna-st-vincent-millay/i-being-born-a-woman-and-distressed-by-all-the-needs-and-notions-of/) [Edna St. Vincent Millay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edna-st-vincent-millay/) > [At first glance, Martha Stewart, queen of artfully distressed home furnishings, might not seem to have much in common with Michael R. Milken, one-time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-berenson/at-first-glance-martha-stewart-queen-of-artfully-distressed-home/) [Alex Berenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-berenson/) > [“He who best discerns the worth of time is most distressed whenever time is lost.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/he-who-best-discerns-the-worth-of-time-is-most-distressed-whenever/) [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) > [I am distressed when I see news channels saying 'Devdas' has let down the country by not getting an Oscar nomination.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanjay-leela-bhansali/i-am-distressed-when-i-see-news-channels-saying-devdas-has-let-down/) [Sanjay Leela Bhansali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanjay-leela-bhansali/) > [I am exceedingly distressed at the proceedings of the Convention-being ... almost sure, they will ... lay the foundation of a Civil War.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elbridge-gerry/i-am-exceedingly-distressed-at-the-proceedings-of-the-convention/) [Elbridge Gerry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elbridge-gerry/) > [Footage of people camped out at Best Buy or elsewhere is not remotely a celebration. Rather, it's a reminder of just how economically distressed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-ritholtz/footage-of-people-camped-out-at-best-buy-or-elsewhere-is-not-remotely/) [Barry Ritholtz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-ritholtz/) > [With every year that passes, I get further away from my target audience, and while I've been happy to think of myself as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-horowitz/with-every-year-that-passes-i-get-further-away-from-my-target/) [Anthony Horowitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-horowitz/) > [“If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-warren/if-you-look-at-the-world-you-ll-be-distressed-if-you-look-within-you/) [Rick Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-warren/) > [The superior man is distressed by his want (lack) of ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/confucius/the-superior-man-is-distressed-by-his-want-lack-of-ability/) [Confucius](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/confucius/) ## More by Maria Theresa > [I found myself without money, without credit, without army, without experience and knowledge of my own and finally, also without any counsel because each…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-theresa/i-found-myself-without-money-without-credit-without-army-without/) [Maria Theresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-theresa/) > [Henceforth no Jew, no matter under what name, will be allowed to remain here without my written permission. I know of no other troublesome…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-theresa/henceforth-no-jew-no-matter-under-what-name-will-be-allowed-to-remain/) [Maria Theresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-theresa/) > [While other nations do battle, you lucky Austria, you wed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-theresa/while-other-nations-do-battle-you-lucky-austria-you-wed/) [Maria Theresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-theresa/) > [I do not sleep; I wish to meet my death awake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-theresa/i-do-not-sleep-i-wish-to-meet-my-death-awake/) [Maria Theresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-theresa/) [Explore all 5 Maria Theresa quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-theresa/) ## More Compassion quotes > [Half the misery of human life might be extinguished if men would alleviate the general curse they lie under by mutual offices of compassion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/half-the-misery-of-human-life-might-be-extinguished-if-men-would/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [“I fight with love and kindness as my weapons and compassion as my defense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/i-fight-with-love-and-kindness-as-my-weapons-and-compassion-as-my/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. 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That's how we'll make the move, to reform from rude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/helpers-in-every-corner-helpers-in-every-hood-that-s-how-we-ll-make/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [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/) > [May the gods have mercy on whoever pisses them off, because Zarek and Jericho will have none for them. 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Because by doing so, they also discourage the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/no-one-has-any-right-to-tell-you-that-the-way-you-perceive-yourself/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [“la ilaha ilallah muhammadun rasulullah, alaihi salatullah wa alihi wal ahibba "shine your mercy like the sun, and be gracious as the earth let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talib-al-habib/la-ilaha-ilallah-muhammadun-rasulullah-alaihi-salatullah-wa-alihi-wal/) Talib al Habib > [The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/the-love-for-all-living-creatures-is-the-most-noble-attribute-of-man/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) [Browse all 9,892 Compassion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If I could wish for immortality on earth, it would only be for the power of relieving the distressed.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Maria Theresa" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-theresa/if-i-could-wish-for-immortality-on-earth-it-would-only-be-for-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Compassion" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-theresa/if-i-could-wish-for-immortality-on-earth-it-would-only-be-for-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87d/maria-theresa-58934_compassion_if-i-could-wish-for-immortality-on-earth_1207410.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87d/maria-theresa-58934_compassion_if-i-could-wish-for-immortality-on-earth_1207410.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87d/maria-theresa-58934_compassion_if-i-could-wish-for-immortality-on-earth_1207410.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If I could wish for immortality on earth, it would only be for the power of relieving the distressed.” — Maria Theresa", "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": "Maria Theresa", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maria-theresa/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If I could wish for immortality...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-theresa/if-i-could-wish-for-immortality-on-earth-it-would-only-be-for-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maria-theresa/if-i-could-wish-for-immortality-on-earth-it-would-only-be-for-the/#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 } } ] } ```