--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Service is the rent we pay for the life…" description: "\"“Service is the rent we pay for the life we have been given.”\" — Marian Wright Edelman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f39/marian-wright-edelman-2216_altruism_service-is-the-rent-we-pay-for-the-life_1794999.png" --- # Service is the rent we pay for the life we have been given. ![“Service is the rent we pay for the life we have been given.” quote by Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f39/marian-wright-edelman-2216_altruism_service-is-the-rent-we-pay-for-the-life_1794999.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f39/marian-wright-edelman-2216_altruism_service-is-the-rent-we-pay-for-the-life_1794999.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f39/marian-wright-edelman-2216_altruism_service-is-the-rent-we-pay-for-the-life_1794999.png) > ““Service is the rent we pay for the life we have been given.”” [Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The quote suggests that contributing to others is a moral obligation tied to our existence. **In simple terms:** Helping others is our duty. Key Takeaway Give back regularly. Themes service gratitude responsibility Mood reflective inspirational Type ethical motivational When to use this quote - volunteering - community service - career choices - daily kindness Key Concepts social contract ethical duty Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance service with self‑care? - What does “rent” imply about societal expectations? A Different Perspective It may overlook personal limits and burnout risk. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Altruism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/altruism/) [Conservative](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conservative/) [Liberal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liberal/) [Libertarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/libertarian/) [Life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Rent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rent/) [Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness/) [Service](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/service/) ## Related quotes > [Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/service-is-the-rent-we-pay-for-being-it-is-the-very-purpose-of-life/) [Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/) > [Service is the rent we pay for living.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/service-is-the-rent-we-pay-for-living/) [Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/) > [I've always believed that service to others is rent we pay for our time on this planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-curtis/i-ve-always-believed-that-service-to-others-is-rent-we-pay-for-our/) [Tony Curtis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-curtis/) > [Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/service-to-others-is-the-rent-you-pay-for-your-room-here-on-earth-2/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [Service is the rent we pay for the privilege of living on this earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-eldon-tanner/service-is-the-rent-we-pay-for-the-privilege-of-living-on-this-earth/) [Nathan Eldon Tanner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-eldon-tanner/) > [“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.’ —Muhammad Ali”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-marrs/service-to-others-is-the-rent-you-pay-for-your-room-here-on-earth/) [John Marrs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-marrs/) > [“The Service you do for others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad-ali/the-service-you-do-for-others-is-the-rent-you-pay-for-your-room-here/) [Muhammad Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad-ali/) > [“Service is the rent that we pay for our room on earth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lord-halifax/service-is-the-rent-that-we-pay-for-our-room-on-earth/) Lord Halifax > [Service is the rent that you pay for room on this earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirley-chisholm/service-is-the-rent-that-you-pay-for-room-on-this-earth/) [Shirley Chisholm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirley-chisholm/) > [If service is the rent you pay for your existence on this earth, are you behind in your rent?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-g-allen/if-service-is-the-rent-you-pay-for-your-existence-on-this-earth-are/) [Robert G. Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-g-allen/) > [“Service to others is the rent yo pay for your room here on earth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/service-to-others-is-the-rent-yo-pay-for-your-room-here-on-earth/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The service we render others is the rent we pay for our room on earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilfred-grenfell/the-service-we-render-others-is-the-rent-we-pay-for-our-room-on-earth/) [Wilfred Grenfell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilfred-grenfell/) > [It's nice to be able to pay my rent and pay for my friends' dinners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chappell-roan/it-s-nice-to-be-able-to-pay-my-rent-and-pay-for-my-friends-dinners/) [Chappell Roan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chappell-roan/) > [“The service we render for others is really the rent we pay for our room on this earth. ” Wilfred Grenfell”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/warren-w-wiersbe/the-service-we-render-for-others-is-really-the-rent-we-pay-for-our/) [Warren W. Wiersbe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/warren-w-wiersbe/) > [Activism is the rent I pay for living on this planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/activism-is-the-rent-i-pay-for-living-on-this-planet/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) ## More by Marian Wright Edelman > [We must always refill and ensure there is a critical mass of leaders and activists committed to nonviolence and racial and economic justice who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/we-must-always-refill-and-ensure-there-is-a-critical-mass-of-leaders/) [Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/) > [It is utterly exhausting being Black in America - physically, mentally, and emotionally. While many minority groups and women feel similar stress, there is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/it-is-utterly-exhausting-being-black-in-america-physically-mentally/) [Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/) > [Justice is not cheap. Justice is not quick. It is not ever finally achieved.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/justice-is-not-cheap-justice-is-not-quick-it-is-not-ever-finally/) [Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/) > [I never thought I was breaking a glass ceiling. I just had to do what I had to do, and it never occurred to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/i-never-thought-i-was-breaking-a-glass-ceiling-i-just-had-to-do-what/) [Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/) > [In my generation, we learned how to be leaders by being exposed to and involved with adults who empowered us and gave us a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/in-my-generation-we-learned-how-to-be-leaders-by-being-exposed-to-and/) [Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/) > [The old notion that children are the private property of parents dies very slowly. In reality, no parent raises a child alone. How many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/the-old-notion-that-children-are-the-private-property-of-parents-dies/) [Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/) > [When Jesus Christ asked little children to come to him, he didn't say only rich children, or White children, or children with two-parent families,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/when-jesus-christ-asked-little-children-to-come-to-him-he-didn-t-say/) [Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/) > [“Don’t feel entitled to anything you don’t sweat and struggle for”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/don-t-feel-entitled-to-anything-you-don-t-sweat-and-struggle-for/) [Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/) > [You can't tell parents to teach children the value of work when we don't have jobs and the jobs we have don't pay a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/you-can-t-tell-parents-to-teach-children-the-value-of-work-when-we/) [Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/) > [To all those mothers and fathers who are struggling with teen-agers, I say, just be patient: even though it looks like you can't do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/to-all-those-mothers-and-fathers-who-are-struggling-with-teen-agers-i/) [Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/) > [It really takes a community to raise children, no matter how much money one has. Nobody can do it well alone. And it's the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/it-really-takes-a-community-to-raise-children-no-matter-how-much/) [Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/) > [Democracy cannot breathe, indeed will die, if those enjoined to protect it and uphold the laws snuff it out - with no consequences.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/democracy-cannot-breathe-indeed-will-die-if-those-enjoined-to-protect/) [Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/) > [Hunger and malnutrition have devastating consequences for children and have been linked to low birth weight and birth defects, obesity, mental and physical health…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/hunger-and-malnutrition-have-devastating-consequences-for-children/) [Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/) > [We're spending, on average, three times more for prison than for public-school pupils. That's the dumbest investment policy. It doesn't make us safer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/we-re-spending-on-average-three-times-more-for-prison-than-for-public/) [Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/) > [You'd better stay determined, because that's how our ancestors got us where we are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/you-d-better-stay-determined-because-that-s-how-our-ancestors-got-us/) [Marian Wright Edelman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/) [Explore all 179 Marian Wright Edelman quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/) ## More Altruism quotes > [“It takes a female to have a baby, It takes a woman to raise a child, It takes a mother to raise them correctly,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/it-takes-a-female-to-have-a-baby-it-takes-a-woman-to-raise-a-child-it/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [“Some of our friends are our friends only because we used to be friends.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/some-of-our-friends-are-our-friends-only-because-we-used-to-be-friends/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [“...True classical dropouts in society are those who avoid difficult challenges and cling to the first opportunity that comes their way. They never test…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/true-classical-dropouts-in-society-are-those-who-avoid-difficult/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) > [“Take a stand that reflects the widest horizons of your soul if you don’t want to be a slave to external powers.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/take-a-stand-that-reflects-the-widest-horizons-of-your-soul-if-you/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) > [One of the great issues in biology is the origin of altruism - of why you would do something for someone else that could…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabella-rossellini/one-of-the-great-issues-in-biology-is-the-origin-of-altruism-of-why/) [Isabella Rossellini](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabella-rossellini/) > [How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortune of others, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-smith/how-selfish-soever-man-may-be-supposed-there-are-evidently-some/) [Adam Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-smith/) > [Restoration ecology is experimental science, a science of love and altruism. In its attempts to reverse the processes of ecosystem degradation it runs exactly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-mills/restoration-ecology-is-experimental-science-a-science-of-love-and/) [Stephanie Mills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-mills/) > [“...of all the nonsense that twists the world, the concept of 'altruism' is the worst. People do what they want to do, every time.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-heinlein/of-all-the-nonsense-that-twists-the-world-the-concept-of-altruism-is/) [Robert A. Heinlein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-a-heinlein/) > [“Only a fool would find happiness from an achievement that is detrimental to those he loves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/only-a-fool-would-find-happiness-from-an-achievement-that-is/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) > [Never insult an alligator until after you have crossed the river.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cordell-hull/never-insult-an-alligator-until-after-you-have-crossed-the-river/) [Cordell Hull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cordell-hull/) > [“…the purpose of life is to nurture joy, which involves those aspects of humanity that enrich the soul.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/the-purpose-of-life-is-to-nurture-joy-which-involves-those-aspects-of/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) > [“Whatever they say about it, but being altruistic is not so simple for everyone. Not to look and sound like despotism, altruism must be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lara-biyuts/whatever-they-say-about-it-but-being-altruistic-is-not-so-simple-for/) [Lara Biyuts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lara-biyuts/) > [Effective altruism is the form of altruism in which we bring our rational capacities to bear in order to do the most good that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-singer/effective-altruism-is-the-form-of-altruism-in-which-we-bring-our/) [Peter Singer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-singer/) > [“Societies and people that come close to being happy are those that do well in narrowing the disparity between their desires and their needs,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/societies-and-people-that-come-close-to-being-happy-are-those-that-do/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) > [“Most of the truly kind people of this world show some measure of discomfort when offered kindness. Their gratitude stems not only from their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janvier-chouteu-chando/most-of-the-truly-kind-people-of-this-world-show-some-measure-of/) [Janvier Chouteu-Chando](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janvier-chouteu-chando/) [Browse all 419 Altruism quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/altruism/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Service is the rent we pay for the life we have been given.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Marian Wright Edelman" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/service-is-the-rent-we-pay-for-the-life-we-have-been-given/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Altruism" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/service-is-the-rent-we-pay-for-the-life-we-have-been-given/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f39/marian-wright-edelman-2216_altruism_service-is-the-rent-we-pay-for-the-life_1794999.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f39/marian-wright-edelman-2216_altruism_service-is-the-rent-we-pay-for-the-life_1794999.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f39/marian-wright-edelman-2216_altruism_service-is-the-rent-we-pay-for-the-life_1794999.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Service is the rent we pay for the life we have been given.” — Marian Wright Edelman", "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": "Marian Wright Edelman", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marian-wright-edelman/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Service is the rent we pay...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/service-is-the-rent-we-pay-for-the-life-we-have-been-given/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marian-wright-edelman/service-is-the-rent-we-pay-for-the-life-we-have-been-given/#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 } } ] } ```