--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We can save the world,\" I say, trying to…" description: "\"We can save the world,\" I say, trying to smile. \"You and me.\" — Patrick Ness" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50e/patrick-ness-449_save-the-world_we-can-save-the-world-i-say-trying-to-sm_1146915.jpg" --- # We can save the world," I say, trying to smile. "You and me. ![“We can save the world," I say, trying to smile. "You and me.” quote by Patrick Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50e/patrick-ness-449_save-the-world_we-can-save-the-world-i-say-trying-to-sm_1146915.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50e/patrick-ness-449_save-the-world_we-can-save-the-world-i-say-trying-to-sm_1146915.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50e/patrick-ness-449_save-the-world_we-can-save-the-world-i-say-trying-to-sm_1146915.jpg) > “We can save the world," I say, trying to smile. "You and me.” [Patrick Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ness/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A hopeful claim that collective effort can address global problems, despite personal doubt. **In simple terms:** Together we can help the world. Key Takeaway Act together for change. Themes environment hope collective\_action Mood hopeful determined Type inspirational call\_to\_action When to use this quote - community projects - climate activism - volunteering - policy advocacy Key Concepts sustainability optimism social\_responsibility Questions to Reflect On - How can you contribute realistically? - What obstacles might you face? A Different Perspective Idealism may overlook practical constraints and resource limits. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Save the world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/save-the-world/) [Save World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/save-world-244635/) [Say Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/say-trying-262970/) [Smile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smile/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Trying Smile](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying-smile-330732/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) [World Say](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world-say-423584/) ## Related quotes > [“You are a son of Melusina,” I say, trying to smile. “You sound like her when she had to be free to go into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philippa-gregory/you-are-a-son-of-melusina-i-say-trying-to-smile-you-sound-like-her/) [Philippa Gregory](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philippa-gregory/) > [Trying to smile just to prevent tears from coming out when I see you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bhumika/trying-to-smile-just-to-prevent-tears-from-coming-out-when-i-see-you/) [Bhumika](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bhumika/) > [Before we venture out and proclaim to save the world and those who are in need of help, we must start by saving ourselves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kareem-vcover/before-we-venture-out-and-proclaim-to-save-the-world-and-those-who/) [Kareem VCover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kareem-vcover/) > [The idea of fame is repulsive, I want to save the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-antin/the-idea-of-fame-is-repulsive-i-want-to-save-the-world/) [Eleanor Antin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-antin/) > [“I'm not trying to save the world, much of it is not worth saving.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-shors/i-m-not-trying-to-save-the-world-much-of-it-is-not-worth-saving/) [John Shors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-shors/) > [“Always pick the thing that is not a chain, is one way to try to save the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-berg/always-pick-the-thing-that-is-not-a-chain-is-one-way-to-try-to-save/) [Elizabeth Berg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-berg/) > [Graphic design will save the world right after rock and roll does.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-carson/graphic-design-will-save-the-world-right-after-rock-and-roll-does/) [David Carson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-carson/) > [How can we help save the world? we can come together not only in our groups of people but the whole world as one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/levita-brahz/how-can-we-help-save-the-world-we-can-come-together-not-only-in-our/) [Levita Brahz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/levita-brahz/) > [Beauty would save the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoevsky/beauty-would-save-the-world/) [Fyodor Dostoevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoevsky/) > [If money had been the way to save the world, Christ himself would have been rich.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phyllis-bottome/if-money-had-been-the-way-to-save-the-world-christ-himself-would-have/) [Phyllis Bottome](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phyllis-bottome/) > [You can't save the world...save YOUR heart. Be a catalyst & create a life where you are powerful. Rebel. Be happy & allow others happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-can-t-save-the-world-save-your-heart-be-a-catalyst-create-a-life/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We can no longer save the world by playing by the rules.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-thunburg/we-can-no-longer-save-the-world-by-playing-by-the-rules/) [Greta Thunburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-thunburg/) > [I'm not going to save the world or anything, but I think it's time I did my bit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-casey/i-m-not-going-to-save-the-world-or-anything-but-i-think-it-s-time-i/) [Paul Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-casey/) > [What did you do to save the world today?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richie/what-did-you-do-to-save-the-world-today/) [Richie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richie/) > [“How can you make an informed decision about whether to save the world if you never leave your tiny part of it?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-david-hutchinson/how-can-you-make-an-informed-decision-about-whether-to-save-the-world/) [Shaun David Hutchinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-david-hutchinson/) ## More by Patrick Ness > [“I rub the ears of my dog, my stupid goddam ruddy great dog that I never wanted but who hung around anyway and who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ness/i-rub-the-ears-of-my-dog-my-stupid-goddam-ruddy-great-dog-that-i/) [Patrick Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ness/) > [“The Prince had fallen in love. She was only a farmer's daughter, but she was was beautiful, and also smart, as the daughters of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ness/the-prince-had-fallen-in-love-she-was-only-a-farmer-s-daughter-but/) [Patrick Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ness/) > [Time goes on, even when yer not looking.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ness/time-goes-on-even-when-yer-not-looking/) [Patrick Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ness/) > [Here is the boy, drowning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ness/here-is-the-boy-drowning/) [Patrick Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ness/) > [“This is it. This is goodbye. A goodbye I wasn't even looking for.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ness/this-is-it-this-is-goodbye-a-goodbye-i-wasn-t-even-looking-for/) [Patrick Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ness/) > [“ But what is a dream, Conor O'Malley? the monster said, bending down so it's face was close to Conor's. Who is to say…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ness/but-what-is-a-dream-conor-o-malley-the-monster-said-bending-down-so/) [Patrick Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ness/) > [“And I feel her against me - And I think Viola - I think VIOLA! - I think VIOLA!!!! ”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ness/and-i-feel-her-against-me-and-i-think-viola-i-think-viola-i-think/) [Patrick Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ness/) > [“But I'm still thinking about being born on a spaceship, an honest to badness spaceship. 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Two, if you can control…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ness/i-have-two-maxims-that-i-believe-dear-girl-one-if-you-can-control/) [Patrick Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ness/) > [To live is to fight, to preserve life is to fight everything that man stands for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ness/to-live-is-to-fight-to-preserve-life-is-to-fight-everything-that-man/) [Patrick Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ness/) > [Because he KNEW he was doing wrong. He felt the PAIN of his actions'-- 'But he did not amen them,' shows the Sky. 'The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ness/because-he-knew-he-was-doing-wrong-he-felt-the-pain-of-his-actions/) [Patrick Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ness/) > [“This was a kingdom. (“What?” Conor said, looking around his backyard. “Here?”) (The monster cocked its head at him curiously. You have not heard…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ness/this-was-a-kingdom-what-conor-said-looking-around-his-backyard-here/) [Patrick Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ness/) > [If you ever see a war," she says, not looking up from her clipboard, "you'll learn that war only destroys. No one escapes from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ness/if-you-ever-see-a-war-she-says-not-looking-up-from-her-clipboard-you/) [Patrick Ness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ness/) [Explore all 527 Patrick Ness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ness/) ## More Save the world quotes > [“How can you make an informed decision about whether to save the world if you never leave your tiny part of it?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaun-david-hutchinson/how-can-you-make-an-informed-decision-about-whether-to-save-the-world/) [Shaun David Hutchinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaun-david-hutchinson/) > [What did you do to save the world today?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richie/what-did-you-do-to-save-the-world-today/) [Richie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richie/) > [When we struggle for human rights, for freedom, for dignity, when we feel that it is a ministry of the church to concern itself…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-we-struggle-for-human-rights-for-freedom-for-dignity-when-we/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [He went to Paris looking for answers to questions that bothered him so. He was impressive, young and aggressive, saving the world on his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-buffett/he-went-to-paris-looking-for-answers-to-questions-that-bothered-him/) [Jimmy Buffett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-buffett/) > [We come unbidden into this life, and if we are lucky we find a purpose beyond starvation, misery, and early death which, lest we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-verghese/we-come-unbidden-into-this-life-and-if-we-are-lucky-we-find-a-purpose/) [Abraham Verghese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-verghese/) > [What are you going to do when you are not saving the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hans-zimmer/what-are-you-going-to-do-when-you-are-not-saving-the-world/) [Hans Zimmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hans-zimmer/) > [I'm not going to save the world or anything, but I think it's time I did my bit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-casey/i-m-not-going-to-save-the-world-or-anything-but-i-think-it-s-time-i/) [Paul Casey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-casey/) > [“God has chosen to save the world through the cross, through the shameful and powerless death of the crucified Messiah. If that shocking event…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-hays/god-has-chosen-to-save-the-world-through-the-cross-through-the/) [Richard Hays](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-hays/) > [The literary scene is filled with young people now, which is a great joy. They seem fully capable of saving the world, as we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/connie-wanek/the-literary-scene-is-filled-with-young-people-now-which-is-a-great/) [Connie Wanek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/connie-wanek/) > [We can no longer save the world by playing by the rules.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-thunburg/we-can-no-longer-save-the-world-by-playing-by-the-rules/) [Greta Thunburg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-thunburg/) > [You can't save the world...save YOUR heart. Be a catalyst & create a life where you are powerful. Rebel. Be happy & allow others happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-can-t-save-the-world-save-your-heart-be-a-catalyst-create-a-life/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It does not take a great supernatural heroine or magical hero to save the world.We all save it every day, and we all destroy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vera-nazarian/it-does-not-take-a-great-supernatural-heroine-or-magical-hero-to-save/) [Vera Nazarian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vera-nazarian/) > [“Can a better kind of fiction save the world? There’s always some tiny hope (strange things do happen), but the answer is almost certainly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-franzen/can-a-better-kind-of-fiction-save-the-world-there-s-always-some-tiny/) [Jonathan Franzen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-franzen/) > [In 'Bras & Broomsticks,' Rachel Weinstein gets the shock of her life when she discovers that her mom and her younger sister, Miri, are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-mlynowski/in-bras-broomsticks-rachel-weinstein-gets-the-shock-of-her-life-when/) [Sarah Mlynowski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-mlynowski/) > [Harry Dresden. Saving the world, one act of random destruction at a time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-butcher/harry-dresden-saving-the-world-one-act-of-random-destruction-at-a-time/) [Jim Butcher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-butcher/) [Browse all 491 Save the world quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/save-the-world/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We can save the world,\" I say, trying to smile. \"You and me.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Patrick Ness" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ness/we-can-save-the-world-i-say-trying-to-smile-you-and-me/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Save the world" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ness/we-can-save-the-world-i-say-trying-to-smile-you-and-me/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50e/patrick-ness-449_save-the-world_we-can-save-the-world-i-say-trying-to-sm_1146915.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50e/patrick-ness-449_save-the-world_we-can-save-the-world-i-say-trying-to-sm_1146915.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/50e/patrick-ness-449_save-the-world_we-can-save-the-world-i-say-trying-to-sm_1146915.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We can save the world,\" I say, trying to smile. \"You and me.” — Patrick Ness", "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": "Patrick Ness", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-ness/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We can save the world,\" I...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ness/we-can-save-the-world-i-say-trying-to-smile-you-and-me/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-ness/we-can-save-the-world-i-say-trying-to-smile-you-and-me/#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 } } ] } ```