--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The most difficult thing for us seems to…" description: "\"The most difficult thing for us seems to be to give of ourselves, to do away with selfishness. If we really love someone, nothing is too difficult for ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebf/nathan-eldon-tanner-26289_difficult_the-most-difficult-thing-for-us-seems-to_92755.jpg" --- # The most difficult thing for us seems to be to give of… ![“The most difficult thing for us seems to be to give of ourselves, to do away with selfishness. If we really love someone, nothing is too difficult for us to do for that individual. There is no real happiness in having or getting unless we are doing it for the purpose of giving it to others. Half…” quote by Nathan Eldon Tanner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebf/nathan-eldon-tanner-26289_difficult_the-most-difficult-thing-for-us-seems-to_92755.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebf/nathan-eldon-tanner-26289_difficult_the-most-difficult-thing-for-us-seems-to_92755.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ebf/nathan-eldon-tanner-26289_difficult_the-most-difficult-thing-for-us-seems-to_92755.jpg) > “The most difficult thing for us seems to be to give of ourselves, to do away with selfishness. If we really love someone, nothing is too difficult for us to do for that individual. There is no real happiness in having or getting unless we are doing it for the purpose of giving it to others. Half the world seems to be following the wrong scent in the pursuit of happiness-many think it consists of having and getting and being served, when really happiness is found in serving others.” [Nathan Eldon Tanner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-eldon-tanner/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. True happiness arises from selfless service; love motivates us to act for others, not for personal gain. **In simple terms:** Serving others creates genuine happiness. Key Takeaway Selflessness breeds fulfillment. Themes ethics service happiness selflessness Mood inspirational reflective Type didactic philosophical When to use this quote - Volunteer work - Family caregiving - Community projects Key Concepts philosophy of altruism Practical Applications - Encourage acts of service in workplaces Questions to Reflect On - What limits exist for selfless giving? - Can altruism be truly unconditional? A Different Perspective Self-sacrifice can lead to burnout if not balanced with self‑care. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Difficult things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/difficult-things/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/happiness/) [Individual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/individual/) [Love someone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-someone/) [Purpose](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/purpose/) [Pursuit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursuit/) [Pursuit of happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pursuit-of-happiness/) [Real happiness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/real-happiness/) [Selfishness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/selfishness/) [Serving others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/serving-others/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [There is no real happiness in having or getting, but only in giving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-eldon-tanner/there-is-no-real-happiness-in-having-or-getting-but-only-in-giving/) [Nathan Eldon Tanner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-eldon-tanner/) > [As you can see marriage is about putting away selfishness and taking on the concept of teamwork.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-george/as-you-can-see-marriage-is-about-putting-away-selfishness-and-taking/) [Jim George](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-george/) > [In one degree or another we all struggle with selfishness. Since it is so common, why worry about selfishness anyway? Because selfishness is really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/in-one-degree-or-another-we-all-struggle-with-selfishness-since-it-is/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [To one degree or another we all struggle with selfishness. Since it is so common, why worry about selfishness anyway? Because selfishness is really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-a-maxwell/to-one-degree-or-another-we-all-struggle-with-selfishness-since-it-is/) [Neal A. Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-a-maxwell/) > [You know what happiness is: 'Having a little more money than your colleagues.' And that's not so tough in academic life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-samuelson/you-know-what-happiness-is-having-a-little-more-money-than-your/) [Paul Samuelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-samuelson/) > [“Happiness is having a cat for "fuzz therapy". Preferably one with trimmed claws.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthias-leue/happiness-is-having-a-cat-for-fuzz-therapy-preferably-one-with/) Matthias Leue > [Happiness is not so much in having as sharing. We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/happiness-is-not-so-much-in-having-as-sharing-we-make-a-living-by/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Happiness is having a scratch for every itch.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ogden-nash/happiness-is-having-a-scratch-for-every-itch/) [Ogden Nash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ogden-nash/) > [Never will I pursue happiness, because it is not a goal, just a by-product, and there is no happiness in having or in getting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/og-mandino/never-will-i-pursue-happiness-because-it-is-not-a-goal-just-a-by/) [Og Mandino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/og-mandino/) > [You want to know what happiness is? It's having something to look forward to, and I have all that stuff to look forward to.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-morgan/you-want-to-know-what-happiness-is-it-s-having-something-to-look/) [Tracy Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-morgan/) > [I guess I'm the happiest when I'm picking up my kids from school. The most important things on my list are my wife and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-hellmuth/i-guess-i-m-the-happiest-when-i-m-picking-up-my-kids-from-school-the/) [Phil Hellmuth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-hellmuth/) > [Real and true happiness is having a relationship with God and not what makes us happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-fisher/real-and-true-happiness-is-having-a-relationship-with-god-and-not/) [Mike Fisher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-fisher/) > [Happiness…is having a friend like you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unknow/happiness-is-having-a-friend-like-you/) Unknow > [Happiness is not about having everything , its loving what you have and trying to make the best out of it](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu/happiness-is-not-about-having-everything-its-loving-what-you-have-and/) [Ritu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu/) > [“Relationship can only happen when there is a positive vibe between you and me , without getting a proper chance it's not possible for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayaan-basu/relationship-can-only-happen-when-there-is-a-positive-vibe-between/) [Ayaan Basu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayaan-basu/) ## More by Nathan Eldon Tanner > [Let us look for the good rather than try to discover any hidden evil. We can easily find fault in others if that is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-eldon-tanner/let-us-look-for-the-good-rather-than-try-to-discover-any-hidden-evil/) [Nathan Eldon Tanner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-eldon-tanner/) > [I observed that the successful farmer worked at his job. He would do his plowing, disking, harrowing, seeding, and harvesting in the proper season…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-eldon-tanner/i-observed-that-the-successful-farmer-worked-at-his-job-he-would-do/) [Nathan Eldon Tanner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-eldon-tanner/) > [An honest, sincerely stated compliment helps to build character; criticism destroys it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-eldon-tanner/an-honest-sincerely-stated-compliment-helps-to-build-character/) [Nathan Eldon Tanner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-eldon-tanner/) > [Samuel F. B. Morse, inventor of the telegraph, said that whenever he could not see his way clearly, he knelt down and prayed for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-eldon-tanner/samuel-f-b-morse-inventor-of-the-telegraph-said-that-whenever-he/) [Nathan Eldon Tanner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-eldon-tanner/) > [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/) > [It is our duty to save the world. That is our mission, insofar as they will listen unto us and receive our testimony. ...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-eldon-tanner/it-is-our-duty-to-save-the-world-that-is-our-mission-insofar-as-they/) [Nathan Eldon Tanner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-eldon-tanner/) > [It is easy to do things for our own families and loved ones, but to give of our substance for the stranger who is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-eldon-tanner/it-is-easy-to-do-things-for-our-own-families-and-loved-ones-but-to/) [Nathan Eldon Tanner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-eldon-tanner/) > [Self-discipline is doing what you know you should do when you don't want to do it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-eldon-tanner/self-discipline-is-doing-what-you-know-you-should-do-when-you-don-t/) [Nathan Eldon Tanner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-eldon-tanner/) > [There is no real happiness in having or getting, but only in giving.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-eldon-tanner/there-is-no-real-happiness-in-having-or-getting-but-only-in-giving/) [Nathan Eldon Tanner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-eldon-tanner/) > [To be healthy and happy, a person must live a life that includes a good variety of activities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-eldon-tanner/to-be-healthy-and-happy-a-person-must-live-a-life-that-includes-a/) [Nathan Eldon Tanner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-eldon-tanner/) > [Start right now to put into practice some of the things that have been taught to us today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-eldon-tanner/start-right-now-to-put-into-practice-some-of-the-things-that-have/) [Nathan Eldon Tanner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-eldon-tanner/) > [Integrity, or the lack of it, touches almost every facet of our lives-everything we say, every thought and desire.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-eldon-tanner/integrity-or-the-lack-of-it-touches-almost-every-facet-of-our-lives/) [Nathan Eldon Tanner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-eldon-tanner/) > [Improper parental example in the home is a leading cause of the wandering of youth...](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-eldon-tanner/improper-parental-example-in-the-home-is-a-leading-cause-of-the/) [Nathan Eldon Tanner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-eldon-tanner/) > [Gossip is the worst form of judging.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-eldon-tanner/gossip-is-the-worst-form-of-judging/) [Nathan Eldon Tanner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-eldon-tanner/) > [Freedom is based on truth, and no man is completely free as long as any part of his belief is based on error.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-eldon-tanner/freedom-is-based-on-truth-and-no-man-is-completely-free-as-long-as/) [Nathan Eldon Tanner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-eldon-tanner/) [Explore all 22 Nathan Eldon Tanner quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-eldon-tanner/) ## More Difficult quotes > [Companies with cultures that celebrate diverse opinions and encourage the exchange of ideas have an advantage when solving difficult problems. 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Organic cotton can also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tatiana-schlossberg/consumers-can-choose-organic-cotton-grown-without-pesticides-but-it/) [Tatiana Schlossberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tatiana-schlossberg/) > [It is extremely difficult to do anything constructive, let alone deep, on daily commercial television, especially on a talk show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-prager/it-is-extremely-difficult-to-do-anything-constructive-let-alone-deep/) [Dennis Prager](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-prager/) > [Having small children and being an investigative reporter would seem like a difficult mix, but it worked well for me. I was often working…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-abramson/having-small-children-and-being-an-investigative-reporter-would-seem/) [Jill Abramson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-abramson/) > [It's only a little difficult to say no. You've got to believe that the work you're doing is ultimately more useful to the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-sivers/it-s-only-a-little-difficult-to-say-no-you-ve-got-to-believe-that-the/) [Derek Sivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-sivers/) > [How wonderful it would be, I thought, if only we could practice the teachings of the Buddha as he really taught them from his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/how-wonderful-it-would-be-i-thought-if-only-we-could-practice-the/) [Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dzogchen-ponlop-rinpoche/) > [It's difficult for people to come to the understanding that only a small minority of the people ever really get the word about life,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/earl-nightingale/it-s-difficult-for-people-to-come-to-the-understanding-that-only-a/) [Earl Nightingale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/earl-nightingale/) > [Lutherans, whose arguments and mistakes will not be difficult to contest or discover, do not want to attribute any value to works, and they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-servetus/lutherans-whose-arguments-and-mistakes-will-not-be-difficult-to/) [Michael Servetus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-servetus/) > [My friends, this body - perhaps more than any other gathering in human history - now faces that difficult task.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leonardo-dicaprio/my-friends-this-body-perhaps-more-than-any-other-gathering-in-human/) [Leonardo DiCaprio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leonardo-dicaprio/) > [I want to make myself and the crowd happy by way of something different, and that makes things difficult. I'm never playing something that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tiesto/i-want-to-make-myself-and-the-crowd-happy-by-way-of-something/) [Tiesto](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tiesto/) > [The surprise of an army is now next to an impossibility. ... 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