--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The candle burns not for us, but for all…" description: "\"The candle burns not for us, but for all those whom we failed to rescue from prison, who were shot on the way to prison, who were tortured, who were ki..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/657/peter-benenson-46446_candle_the-candle-burns-not-for-us-but-for-all_1804280.jpg" --- # The candle burns not for us, but for all those whom we… ![“The candle burns not for us, but for all those whom we failed to rescue from prison, who were shot on the way to prison, who were tortured, who were kidnapped, who "disappeared". That's what the candle is for” quote by Peter Benenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/657/peter-benenson-46446_candle_the-candle-burns-not-for-us-but-for-all_1804280.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/657/peter-benenson-46446_candle_the-candle-burns-not-for-us-but-for-all_1804280.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/657/peter-benenson-46446_candle_the-candle-burns-not-for-us-but-for-all_1804280.jpg) > “The candle burns not for us, but for all those whom we failed to rescue from prison, who were shot on the way to prison, who were tortured, who were kidnapped, who "disappeared". That's what the candle is for” [Peter Benenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-benenson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A candle symbolizes sacrifice for those suffering and oppressed **In simple terms:** Candle stands for helping victims Key Takeaway Advocate for justice, remember victims Themes human rights sacrifice solidarity Mood somber urgent Type advocacy reflective When to use this quote - humanitarian aid - legal reform - public memorials - education campaigns Key Concepts moral duty collective memory Questions to Reflect On - How can we turn symbolic gestures into concrete action? - What responsibilities do we have toward forgotten victims? A Different Perspective Symbolic acts may not solve systemic issues ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Candle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candle/) [Prison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/prison/) ## Related quotes > [Everyone who tortured me and kidnapped me, who imprisoned me, I have forgiven everyone. And I wish them, from the bottom of my heart,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohamedou-ould-slahi/everyone-who-tortured-me-and-kidnapped-me-who-imprisoned-me-i-have/) [Mohamedou Ould Slahi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohamedou-ould-slahi/) > [“The Mennonites have Dirk Willems, who was arrested for his religious beliefs in the sixteenth century and held in a prison tower. With the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/malcolm-gladwell/the-mennonites-have-dirk-willems-who-was-arrested-for-his-religious/) [Malcolm Gladwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/malcolm-gladwell/) > [I'm mostly surprised by the fact he's still alive; given that people have been trying to silence him for almost fifty years, he really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andre-naffis-sahely/i-m-mostly-surprised-by-the-fact-he-s-still-alive-given-that-people/) [Andre Naffis-Sahely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andre-naffis-sahely/) > [“Be the candle that burns alone in darkness so that the world around can have some light.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/be-the-candle-that-burns-alone-in-darkness-so-that-the-world-around/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [“my candle burns at both ends it will not last the night but arh my friends and oh my foes it gives a lovely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roald-dahl/my-candle-burns-at-both-ends-it-will-not-last-the-night-but-arh-my/) [Roald Dahl](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roald-dahl/) > [That which once was, will be no more. Yesterday will never come again. To-day is passing, and will not return. You may work while…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-baxter/that-which-once-was-will-be-no-more-yesterday-will-never-come-again/) [Richard Baxter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-baxter/) > [Be like a Candle which burns itself to give light to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jorvan-robinson/be-like-a-candle-which-burns-itself-to-give-light-to-others/) [Jorvan Robinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jorvan-robinson/) > [“I think perhaps I will always hold a candle for you – even until it burns my hand. And when the light has long…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ranata-suzuki/i-think-perhaps-i-will-always-hold-a-candle-for-you-even-until-it/) [Ranata Suzuki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ranata-suzuki/) > [Its my bad luck that I cant differentiate between a candle and a woman ;both are bound to burn. A candle burns to give…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohd-aariff-khan/its-my-bad-luck-that-i-cant-differentiate-between-a-candle-and-a/) [Mohd Aariff Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohd-aariff-khan/) > [My candle burns at both ends](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edna-st-vincent-millay/my-candle-burns-at-both-ends/) [Edna St. Vincent Millay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edna-st-vincent-millay/) > [A candle burns to give brightness while a woman burns to brighten your life/personality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mohd-aariff-khan/a-candle-burns-to-give-brightness-while-a-woman-burns-to-brighten/) [Mohd Aariff Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mohd-aariff-khan/) > [Live like a candle which burns itself but gives light to others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melchor-lim/live-like-a-candle-which-burns-itself-but-gives-light-to-others/) [Melchor Lim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melchor-lim/) > [My candle burns at both ends; it will not last the night; but ah, my foes, and oh, my friends - it gives a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edna-st-vincent-millay/my-candle-burns-at-both-ends-it-will-not-last-the-night-but-ah-my/) [Edna St. Vincent Millay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edna-st-vincent-millay/) > [Live like a candle that burns itself, but give light to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unkown/live-like-a-candle-that-burns-itself-but-give-light-to-others/) Unkown > [Always try to make yourself like a candle, which itself burns but gives light to others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/always-try-to-make-yourself-like-a-candle-which-itself-burns-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Peter Benenson > [Open your newspaper - any day of the week - and you will find a report from somewhere in the world of someone being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-benenson/open-your-newspaper-any-day-of-the-week-and-you-will-find-a-report/) [Peter Benenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-benenson/) > [Pressure of opinion a hundred years ago brought about the emancipation of the slaves'.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-benenson/pressure-of-opinion-a-hundred-years-ago-brought-about-the/) [Peter Benenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-benenson/) > [Torture is banned but in two-thirds of the world's countries it is still being committed in secret. Too many governments still allow wrongful imprisonment,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-benenson/torture-is-banned-but-in-two-thirds-of-the-world-s-countries-it-is/) [Peter Benenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-benenson/) > [Its the publicity function of Amnesty that I think has made its name so widely known, not only to readers in the world, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-benenson/its-the-publicity-function-of-amnesty-that-i-think-has-made-its-name/) [Peter Benenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-benenson/) > [Once the concentration camps and the hell-holes of the world were in darkness. Now they are lit by the light of the Amnesty candle;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-benenson/once-the-concentration-camps-and-the-hell-holes-of-the-world-were-in/) [Peter Benenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-benenson/) > [Those who today still feel a sense of impotence can do something: they can support Amnesty International. They can help it to stand up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-benenson/those-who-today-still-feel-a-sense-of-impotence-can-do-something-they/) [Peter Benenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-benenson/) > [It's the publicity function of Amnesty that I think has made its name so widely known, not only to readers in the world, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-benenson/it-s-the-publicity-function-of-amnesty-that-i-think-has-made-its-name/) [Peter Benenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-benenson/) [Explore all 8 Peter Benenson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-benenson/) ## More Candle quotes > [I'm a candle flame that sways in currents of air you can't see. You need to be the one who steadies me to burn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nadine-gordimer/i-m-a-candle-flame-that-sways-in-currents-of-air-you-can-t-see-you/) [Nadine Gordimer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nadine-gordimer/) > [I still get nervous about singing. I drink tea with honey and lemon before every concert. And I need to have scented candles in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-j-blige/i-still-get-nervous-about-singing-i-drink-tea-with-honey-and-lemon/) [Mary J. Blige](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-j-blige/) > [The dream of coming back is becoming a reality. A lot of the uncertainty about the future has been cleared up. A lot of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-tagliabue/the-dream-of-coming-back-is-becoming-a-reality-a-lot-of-the/) [Paul Tagliabue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-tagliabue/) > [Every wife ought to answer for her man. If the husband be engaged in a seditious club, or drinks mysterious healths, or be frugal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/every-wife-ought-to-answer-for-her-man-if-the-husband-be-engaged-in-a/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [Miracles are like candles lit up until the sun rises, and then blown out. Therefore, I am amused when I hear sects and churches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-ward-beecher/miracles-are-like-candles-lit-up-until-the-sun-rises-and-then-blown/) [Henry Ward Beecher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-ward-beecher/) > [On Hanukkah, the first dark night, Light yourself a candle bright. I'll you, if you will me invite To dance within that gentle light.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-gordon/on-hanukkah-the-first-dark-night-light-yourself-a-candle-bright-i-ll/) [Nick Gordon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-gordon/) > [I try to be the clown and court jester and make people laugh. At the same time, you have people in the hospital who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-simmons/i-try-to-be-the-clown-and-court-jester-and-make-people-laugh-at-the/) [Richard Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-simmons/) > [Only by the candle, held in the skeleton hand of Poverty, can man read his own dark heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/only-by-the-candle-held-in-the-skeleton-hand-of-poverty-can-man-read/) [Edward Bulwer-Lytton, 1st Baron Lytton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-bulwer-lytton-1st-baron-lytton/) > [Traveling is all very well if you can get home at night. I would be willing to go around the world if I came…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gladys-taber/traveling-is-all-very-well-if-you-can-get-home-at-night-i-would-be/) [Gladys Taber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gladys-taber/) > [Go not to the temple to put flowers upon the feet of God, first fill your own house with the fragrance of love. Go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rabindranath-tagore/go-not-to-the-temple-to-put-flowers-upon-the-feet-of-god-first-fill/) [Rabindranath Tagore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rabindranath-tagore/) > [“Two ways to be a light for all, is to be a flaming candle or the mirror that reflects it”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edith-wharton/two-ways-to-be-a-light-for-all-is-to-be-a-flaming-candle-or-the/) [Edith Wharton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edith-wharton/) > [“Some will see your flame and want to blow it out...others will approach with a candle...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenita-vangellis/some-will-see-your-flame-and-want-to-blow-it-out-others-will-approach/) [Lenita Vangellis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenita-vangellis/) > [So here I sit in the early candle-light of old age-I and my book-casting backward glances over out travel'd road.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-whitman/so-here-i-sit-in-the-early-candle-light-of-old-age-i-and-my-book/) [Walt Whitman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-whitman/) > [I was eating beans by candle light for a decade.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-andre/i-was-eating-beans-by-candle-light-for-a-decade/) [Eric Andre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-andre/) > [The stars begin to fade like guttering candles and are snuffed out one by one. Out in the depths of space the great celestial…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-robert-harrison/the-stars-begin-to-fade-like-guttering-candles-and-are-snuffed-out/) [Edward Robert Harrison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-robert-harrison/) [Browse all 1,033 Candle quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candle/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The candle burns not for us, but for all those whom we failed to rescue from prison, who were shot on the way to prison, who were tortured, who were kidnapped, who \"disappeared\". That's what the candle is for", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Peter Benenson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-benenson/the-candle-burns-not-for-us-but-for-all-those-whom-we-failed-to/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Candle" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-benenson/the-candle-burns-not-for-us-but-for-all-those-whom-we-failed-to/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/657/peter-benenson-46446_candle_the-candle-burns-not-for-us-but-for-all_1804280.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/657/peter-benenson-46446_candle_the-candle-burns-not-for-us-but-for-all_1804280.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/657/peter-benenson-46446_candle_the-candle-burns-not-for-us-but-for-all_1804280.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The candle burns not for us, but for all those whom we failed to rescue from prison, who were shot on the…” — Peter Benenson", "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": "Peter Benenson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/peter-benenson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The candle burns not for us,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-benenson/the-candle-burns-not-for-us-but-for-all-those-whom-we-failed-to/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/peter-benenson/the-candle-burns-not-for-us-but-for-all-those-whom-we-failed-to/#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 } } ] } ```