--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I have always loved the expression it’s…" description: "\"“I have always loved the expression it’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness because it's about hope.”\" — Roma Downey" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b1/roma-downey-8405_darkness_i-have-always-loved-the-expression-it-s_2047187.jpg" --- # I have always loved the expression it’s better to light a… ![“I have always loved the expression it’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness because it's about hope.” quote by Roma Downey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b1/roma-downey-8405_darkness_i-have-always-loved-the-expression-it-s_2047187.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b1/roma-downey-8405_darkness_i-have-always-loved-the-expression-it-s_2047187.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b1/roma-downey-8405_darkness_i-have-always-loved-the-expression-it-s_2047187.jpg) > ““I have always loved the expression it’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness because it's about hope.”” [Roma Downey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roma-downey/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Hope is more powerful when you create light rather than complain about lack of it. **In simple terms:** Create light instead of complaining. Key Takeaway Focus on positive actions. Themes hope action optimism Mood inspired determined Type motivational inspirational When to use this quote - personal setbacks - community projects - mental health challenges Key Concepts positive psychology agency light metaphor Questions to Reflect On - How can you turn hope into concrete help? - What small light can you share today? A Different Perspective Light alone may not solve deep problems. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Better Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-light-298169/) [Candle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candle/) [Candle Curse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candle-curse-1267604/) [Darkness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness/) [Darkness Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkness-hope-322146/) [Expression Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression-better-3840043/) [Hope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hope/) [Light Candle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light-candle/) ## Related quotes > [“Twas said better to light a candle than curse the dark...”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-mccammon/twas-said-better-to-light-a-candle-than-curse-the-dark/) [Robert McCammon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-mccammon/) > [It's better to light a candle than to curse the dark In the eyes of the youth, there are question marks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/k-naan/it-s-better-to-light-a-candle-than-to-curse-the-dark-in-the-eyes-of/) [K'naan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/k-naan/) > [It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-roosevelt/it-is-better-to-light-a-candle-than-curse-the-darkness/) [Eleanor Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-roosevelt/) > [Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinese-proverb/better-to-light-a-candle-than-to-curse-the-darkness/) [Chinese Proverb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinese-proverb/) > [It's better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-s-better-to-light-a-candle-than-to-curse-the-darkness/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Its better to light a candle then to curse the darkness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gabe-melendrez/its-better-to-light-a-candle-then-to-curse-the-darkness/) [Gabe Melendrez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gabe-melendrez/) > [It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chinese/it-is-better-to-light-one-candle-than-to-curse-the-darkness/) [Chinese](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chinese/) > [Remember, it is better to light one little candle than to curse the darkness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frank-gorshin/remember-it-is-better-to-light-one-little-candle-than-to-curse-the/) [Frank Gorshin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frank-gorshin/) > [“It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eleanor-roosevelt/it-is-better-to-light-a-single-candle-than-to-curse-the-darkness/) [Eleanor Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eleanor-roosevelt/) > [Better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/better-to-light-one-small-candle-than-to-curse-the-darkness/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“TWAS SAID better to light a candle than to curse the dark, but in the town of New York in the summer of 1702…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-mccammon/twas-said-better-to-light-a-candle-than-to-curse-the-dark-but-in-the/) [Robert McCammon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-mccammon/) > [She was the kind of person who would rather light a candle than curse the darkness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/she-was-the-kind-of-person-who-would-rather-light-a-candle-than-curse/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When Life Seems To Put Out Every Light You Have, It Is Better To Light A Candle Than To Complain About The Darkness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/when-life-seems-to-put-out-every-light-you-have-it-is-better-to-light/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [I would rather produce my passions than brood over them at my expense; they grow languid when they have vent and expression. It is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michel-de-montaigne/i-would-rather-produce-my-passions-than-brood-over-them-at-my-expense/) [Michel de Montaigne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michel-de-montaigne/) > [Paintings may not have nearly the power to convert people that the printed or spoken word has, but each man has his part to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-kurelek/paintings-may-not-have-nearly-the-power-to-convert-people-that-the/) [William Kurelek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-kurelek/) ## More by Roma Downey > [My accent gets more pronounced when I've been talking to people from Derry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roma-downey/my-accent-gets-more-pronounced-when-i-ve-been-talking-to-people-from/) [Roma Downey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roma-downey/) > [“Over the years, I've found myself wishing sometimes my own guardian angel would show up. Some days I could use a little uplift, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roma-downey/over-the-years-i-ve-found-myself-wishing-sometimes-my-own-guardian/) [Roma Downey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roma-downey/) > [Having played an angel for so long, you can imagine that I've been asked to endorse any number of causes over the years. Obviously…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roma-downey/having-played-an-angel-for-so-long-you-can-imagine-that-i-ve-been/) [Roma Downey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roma-downey/) > [There's an assumption in many of these cultures that these children are mentally retarded, when in fact they're not at all. I saw how…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roma-downey/there-s-an-assumption-in-many-of-these-cultures-that-these-children/) [Roma Downey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roma-downey/) > [Pausing between stimulus and response allows you to show up in your life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roma-downey/pausing-between-stimulus-and-response-allows-you-to-show-up-in-your/) [Roma Downey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roma-downey/) > [“He (Peter) doesn't know if he's looking into the eyes of a madman, or the eyes of a King.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roma-downey/he-peter-doesn-t-know-if-he-s-looking-into-the-eyes-of-a-madman-or/) [Roma Downey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roma-downey/) > [I grew up in Ireland, and the ocean was never more than an arm's length away. As lovely as the mountains are and as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roma-downey/i-grew-up-in-ireland-and-the-ocean-was-never-more-than-an-arm-s/) [Roma Downey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roma-downey/) > [People are hungry for stories of faith. People are hungry for hope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roma-downey/people-are-hungry-for-stories-of-faith-people-are-hungry-for-hope/) [Roma Downey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roma-downey/) > [Jessica Simpson is the youth ambassador for Operation Smile, and an episode of The Apprentice featured a team managing a charity concert she put…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roma-downey/jessica-simpson-is-the-youth-ambassador-for-operation-smile-and-an/) [Roma Downey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roma-downey/) > [If I can steal away and read something other than what I have to for my work, it's restorative.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roma-downey/if-i-can-steal-away-and-read-something-other-than-what-i-have-to-for/) [Roma Downey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roma-downey/) > [“When you feel empathy or compassion for what someone has gone through, those moments of connection remind us we have more in common than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roma-downey/when-you-feel-empathy-or-compassion-for-what-someone-has-gone-through/) [Roma Downey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roma-downey/) > [“If you look at the course of my career, from 'Touched by an Angel,' to 'The Bible' series, you can see a thread of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roma-downey/if-you-look-at-the-course-of-my-career-from-touched-by-an-angel-to/) [Roma Downey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roma-downey/) > [“If you can’t get up on your own that's where your community came in. Someone would help you up. Sometimes you were helped up…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roma-downey/if-you-can-t-get-up-on-your-own-that-s-where-your-community-came-in/) [Roma Downey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roma-downey/) > [I live a life of gratitude for the abundance of love that I have and that 'Touched by An Angel' still has an impact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roma-downey/i-live-a-life-of-gratitude-for-the-abundance-of-love-that-i-have-and/) [Roma Downey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roma-downey/) > [Over the years, I've found myself wishing sometimes my angel would show up. I could use a little uplift, a little reminder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roma-downey/over-the-years-i-ve-found-myself-wishing-sometimes-my-angel-would/) [Roma Downey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roma-downey/) [Explore all 81 Roma Downey quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roma-downey/) ## 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": "“I have always loved the expression it’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness because it's about hope.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Roma Downey" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roma-downey/i-have-always-loved-the-expression-it-s-better-to-light-a-candle-than/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Candle" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roma-downey/i-have-always-loved-the-expression-it-s-better-to-light-a-candle-than/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b1/roma-downey-8405_darkness_i-have-always-loved-the-expression-it-s_2047187.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b1/roma-downey-8405_darkness_i-have-always-loved-the-expression-it-s_2047187.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/8b1/roma-downey-8405_darkness_i-have-always-loved-the-expression-it-s_2047187.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I have always loved the expression it’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness because it's about…” — Roma Downey", "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": "Roma Downey", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roma-downey/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“I have always loved the expression...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roma-downey/i-have-always-loved-the-expression-it-s-better-to-light-a-candle-than/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roma-downey/i-have-always-loved-the-expression-it-s-better-to-light-a-candle-than/#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 } } ] } ```