--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Any idealist who tries to join the Peace…" description: "\"Any idealist who tries to join the Peace Corps must realize he is not going to change the world overnight.\" — Sargent Shriver" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12e/sargent-shriver-13145_change-the-world_any-idealist-who-tries-to-join-the-peace_1368097.jpg" --- # Any idealist who tries to join the Peace Corps must… ![“Any idealist who tries to join the Peace Corps must realize he is not going to change the world overnight.” quote by Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12e/sargent-shriver-13145_change-the-world_any-idealist-who-tries-to-join-the-peace_1368097.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12e/sargent-shriver-13145_change-the-world_any-idealist-who-tries-to-join-the-peace_1368097.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12e/sargent-shriver-13145_change-the-world_any-idealist-who-tries-to-join-the-peace_1368097.jpg) > “Any idealist who tries to join the Peace Corps must realize he is not going to change the world overnight.” [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Idealistic volunteers must accept that meaningful change takes time and cannot be achieved instantly. **In simple terms:** Change takes time, not instant. Key Takeaway Set realistic expectations for impact. Themes service idealism patience realism Mood inspirational pragmatic encouraging Type personal social motivational When to use this quote - volunteering abroad - community projects - long-term development work - policy advocacy Key Concepts development studies social work psychology Questions to Reflect On - How can volunteers stay motivated despite slow progress? - What strategies sustain long-term commitment? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on patience may discourage action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Change the world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-the-world/) [Change World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-world/) [Changing the world](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/changing-the-world/) [Corps Realize](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/corps-realize-4703211/) [Idealist](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idealist/) [Idealist Tries](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/idealist-tries-4703210/) [Peace](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace/) [Peace corps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/peace-corps/) [Realizing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realizing/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [The Peace Corps would give thousands of young Americans a chance to see at first hand the conditions in remote areas of the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/the-peace-corps-would-give-thousands-of-young-americans-a-chance-to/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [I want to warn anyone who sees the Peace Corps as an alternative to the draft that life may well be easier at Fort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/i-want-to-warn-anyone-who-sees-the-peace-corps-as-an-alternative-to/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [The Peace Corps represents some, if not all, of the best virtues in this society. It stands for everything that America has ever stood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/the-peace-corps-represents-some-if-not-all-of-the-best-virtues-in/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [I don't have to run the Peace Corps. I could live without seeing my picture in the newspapers and without being interviewed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/i-don-t-have-to-run-the-peace-corps-i-could-live-without-seeing-my/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [The Peace Corps is guilty of enthusiasm and a crusading spirit. But we're not apologetic about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/the-peace-corps-is-guilty-of-enthusiasm-and-a-crusading-spirit-but-we/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [In the Peace Corps, the volunteer must be a fully developed, mature person. He must not join to run abroad or escape problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/in-the-peace-corps-the-volunteer-must-be-a-fully-developed-mature/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [“As for me, all I’ve ever wanted, when you get right down to it, is to change the world. I don’t literally mean the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chip-gaines/as-for-me-all-i-ve-ever-wanted-when-you-get-right-down-to-it-is-to/) [Chip Gaines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chip-gaines/) > [We can only change the world if we have a heart for the world and deliver the message for the world. We can only…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-falwell/we-can-only-change-the-world-if-we-have-a-heart-for-the-world-and/) [Jerry Falwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-falwell/) > [If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-h-mcraven/if-you-want-to-change-the-world-start-off-by-making-your-bed/) [William H. McRaven](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-h-mcraven/) > [Carry yourself as one who will change the world, because you will.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-morgan/carry-yourself-as-one-who-will-change-the-world-because-you-will/) [Robin Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-morgan/) > [I'm not out to change the world. I'm out to change mine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rodney-white/i-m-not-out-to-change-the-world-i-m-out-to-change-mine/) [Rodney White](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rodney-white/) > [The only way to change the world is to change the main character of our story - the one we believe that we are.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-angel-ruiz/the-only-way-to-change-the-world-is-to-change-the-main-character-of/) [Miguel Angel Ruiz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-angel-ruiz/) > [Don't underestimate the power of your vision to change the world. Whether that world is your office, your community, an industry or a global…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-hood/don-t-underestimate-the-power-of-your-vision-to-change-the-world/) [Leroy Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-hood/) > [Some women are meant to change the world, while others are meant to hold it together. And then there are those of us who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/some-women-are-meant-to-change-the-world-while-others-are-meant-to/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [If you learn something that changes you, you've made progress. If you learn something that changes others, you've helped change the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lanie-lane/if-you-learn-something-that-changes-you-you-ve-made-progress-if-you/) [Lanie Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lanie-lane/) ## More by Sargent Shriver > [In the Peace Corps, the volunteer must be a fully developed, mature person. He must not join to run abroad or escape problems.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/in-the-peace-corps-the-volunteer-must-be-a-fully-developed-mature/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [I don't think the Gallup Poll technique is going to be very helpful in determining the goals of our educational system.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/i-don-t-think-the-gallup-poll-technique-is-going-to-be-very-helpful/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [One of the things Mr. Kennedy taught me was that in laying out a new project, you shouldn't try to cope with every little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/one-of-the-things-mr-kennedy-taught-me-was-that-in-laying-out-a-new/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [There is an alternative to war. It has been with us forever.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/there-is-an-alternative-to-war-it-has-been-with-us-forever/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [Shatter the glass. In our society that is so self-absorbed, begin to look less at yourself and more at each other. Learn more about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/shatter-the-glass-in-our-society-that-is-so-self-absorbed-begin-to/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [When Roosevelt came along, I approved of his program, generally. I figured an economic system should work for people, not vice versa.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/when-roosevelt-came-along-i-approved-of-his-program-generally-i/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [Christian virtues unite men. Racism separates them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/christian-virtues-unite-men-racism-separates-them/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [Racists are irrational and illogical in their attempts to justify their prejudices.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/racists-are-irrational-and-illogical-in-their-attempts-to-justify/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [It's the most rewarding thing to be a civil servant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/it-s-the-most-rewarding-thing-to-be-a-civil-servant/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [A line has to be drawn somewhere between what is essential and what is peripheral.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/a-line-has-to-be-drawn-somewhere-between-what-is-essential-and-what/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [The cure is care. Caring for others is the practice of peace. Caring becomes as important as curing. Caring produces the cure, not the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/the-cure-is-care-caring-for-others-is-the-practice-of-peace-caring/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [The Peace Corps is guilty of enthusiasm and a crusading spirit. But we're not apologetic about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/the-peace-corps-is-guilty-of-enthusiasm-and-a-crusading-spirit-but-we/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [It is not what you get out of life that counts. It's what you give and what is given from the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/it-is-not-what-you-get-out-of-life-that-counts-it-s-what-you-give-and/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [The roots of racism lie deep in man's nature, wounded and bruised by original sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/the-roots-of-racism-lie-deep-in-man-s-nature-wounded-and-bruised-by/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) > [He who knows all things and believes nothing is damned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/he-who-knows-all-things-and-believes-nothing-is-damned/) [Sargent Shriver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) [Explore all 51 Sargent Shriver quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/) ## More Change the world quotes > [If you learn something that changes you, you've made progress. If you learn something that changes others, you've helped change the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lanie-lane/if-you-learn-something-that-changes-you-you-ve-made-progress-if-you/) [Lanie Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lanie-lane/) > [If you wanted to put the world to rights, who should you begin with: yourself or others?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/if-you-wanted-to-put-the-world-to-rights-who-should-you-begin-with/) [Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/) > [Paul Gray - he believed in my art, and I believed in his music. Together, we decided to change the world, and that's what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shawn-crahan/paul-gray-he-believed-in-my-art-and-i-believed-in-his-music-together/) [Shawn Crahan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shawn-crahan/) > [If I wanted to change the world, the last thing I would do is write a play.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-stoppard/if-i-wanted-to-change-the-world-the-last-thing-i-would-do-is-write-a/) [Tom Stoppard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-stoppard/) > [Some women are meant to change the world, while others are meant to hold it together. And then there are those of us who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jodi-picoult/some-women-are-meant-to-change-the-world-while-others-are-meant-to/) [Jodi Picoult](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jodi-picoult/) > [Curiously, the righteous Pharisees had little historical impact, save for a brief time in a remote corner of the Roman Empire. But Jesus' disciples…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/curiously-the-righteous-pharisees-had-little-historical-impact-save/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [“if i am not in the world simply to adapt to it, but rather transform it, and if it is not possible to change…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-freire/if-i-am-not-in-the-world-simply-to-adapt-to-it-but-rather-transform/) [Paulo Freire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-freire/) > [I don't like lyrics to be overbearing. I like them to say something. But I'm not trying to change the world overnight. Something simple…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-rodgers/i-don-t-like-lyrics-to-be-overbearing-i-like-them-to-say-something/) [Paul Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-rodgers/) > [Larry Kramer wisely realized so early on that to change the world, people have to know you. If they know you and see that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-murphy/larry-kramer-wisely-realized-so-early-on-that-to-change-the-world/) [Ryan Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-murphy/) > [“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/) > [Don't underestimate the power of your vision to change the world. Whether that world is your office, your community, an industry or a global…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leroy-hood/don-t-underestimate-the-power-of-your-vision-to-change-the-world/) [Leroy Hood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leroy-hood/) > [“I've been waiting for you a long time, Alina" He said. "You and I are going to change the world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leigh-bardugo/i-ve-been-waiting-for-you-a-long-time-alina-he-said-you-and-i-are/) [Leigh Bardugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leigh-bardugo/) > [The most important thing in all human relationships is conversation, but people don’t talk anymore, they don’t sit down to talk and listen. They…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/the-most-important-thing-in-all-human-relationships-is-conversation/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [We can use our art to become political, to become something you want to talk about. We make clothes, but we have the chance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/olivier-rousteing/we-can-use-our-art-to-become-political-to-become-something-you-want/) [Olivier Rousteing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/olivier-rousteing/) > [“Live each day as if it's our last', that was the conventional advice, but really who had the energy for that? What if it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-nicholls/live-each-day-as-if-it-s-our-last-that-was-the-conventional-advice/) [David Nicholls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-nicholls/) [Browse all 2,043 Change the world quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change-the-world/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Any idealist who tries to join the Peace Corps must realize he is not going to change the world overnight.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Sargent Shriver" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/any-idealist-who-tries-to-join-the-peace-corps-must-realize-he-is-not/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Change the world" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/any-idealist-who-tries-to-join-the-peace-corps-must-realize-he-is-not/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12e/sargent-shriver-13145_change-the-world_any-idealist-who-tries-to-join-the-peace_1368097.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12e/sargent-shriver-13145_change-the-world_any-idealist-who-tries-to-join-the-peace_1368097.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/12e/sargent-shriver-13145_change-the-world_any-idealist-who-tries-to-join-the-peace_1368097.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Any idealist who tries to join the Peace Corps must realize he is not going to change the world overnight.” — Sargent Shriver", "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": "Sargent Shriver", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sargent-shriver/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Any idealist who tries to join...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/any-idealist-who-tries-to-join-the-peace-corps-must-realize-he-is-not/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sargent-shriver/any-idealist-who-tries-to-join-the-peace-corps-must-realize-he-is-not/#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 } } ] } ```