--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It took cancer to realize that being…" description: "\"It took cancer to realize that being self-centered is not the way to live. The answer is to try and help others.\" — Terry Fox" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d4/terry-fox-13686_answers_it-took-cancer-to-realize-that-being-sel_893089.png" --- # It took cancer to realize that being self-centered is not… ![“It took cancer to realize that being self-centered is not the way to live. The answer is to try and help others.” quote by Terry Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d4/terry-fox-13686_answers_it-took-cancer-to-realize-that-being-sel_893089.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d4/terry-fox-13686_answers_it-took-cancer-to-realize-that-being-sel_893089.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5d4/terry-fox-13686_answers_it-took-cancer-to-realize-that-being-sel_893089.png) > “It took cancer to realize that being self-centered is not the way to live. The answer is to try and help others.” [Terry Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-fox/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Realizing personal selfishness leads to emptiness; helping others brings purpose and fulfillment. **In simple terms:** Selfishness is empty; helping others gives meaning. Key Takeaway Shift focus from self to service. Themes selflessness purpose growth Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - volunteering - caregiving - community service - personal development Key Concepts Altruism meaningful living Questions to Reflect On - How can you incorporate small acts of service daily? - What prevents you from helping others? A Different Perspective Helping others may not always be possible due to personal constraints. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cancer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cancer/) [Help others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/help-others/) [Helping others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping-others/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self centered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-centered/) [Way to live](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way-to-live/) ## Related quotes > [Every type of evil we've got in us is the result of that one true illness of the human mind - that is, of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wojciech-kurtyka/every-type-of-evil-we-ve-got-in-us-is-the-result-of-that-one-true/) [Wojciech Kurtyka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wojciech-kurtyka/) > [Self esteem is not the same as being self centered, self absorbed or selfish. Self esteem is also not complacency or overconfidence, both of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-r-schiraldi/self-esteem-is-not-the-same-as-being-self-centered-self-absorbed-or/) Glenn R. Schiraldi > [People are unreasonable, illogical and self-centered. Love them anyway… Honesty and frankness make you vulnerable. Be honest and frank anyway… What you spend years…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mother-teresa/people-are-unreasonable-illogical-and-self-centered-love-them-anyway/) [Mother Teresa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mother-teresa/) > [It is in a way a mystery that, instead of demanding that their governments give primary attention to their own needs and aspirations, most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-william-fulbright/it-is-in-a-way-a-mystery-that-instead-of-demanding-that-their/) [J. William Fulbright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-william-fulbright/) > [Being self-centered for attaining something isn't wrong ,until your actions don't harm and hurt others!!! \*senora\*](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/senoraroy/being-self-centered-for-attaining-something-isn-t-wrong-until-your/) Senoraroy > [What cancer does is, it forces you to focus, to prioritize, and you learn what's important. I mean, I don't sweat the small stuff.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-siegel/what-cancer-does-is-it-forces-you-to-focus-to-prioritize-and-you-2/) [Joel Siegel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-siegel/) > [ I just took \[my cancer diagnosis\] as bad luck, basically. It did strike me almost immediately, my atheist sort of thing kicked in and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-just-took-my-cancer-diagnosis-as-bad-luck-basically-it-did-strike/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I took on cancer like I take on everything - like a mission and a job to accomplish.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sam-taylor-wood/i-took-on-cancer-like-i-take-on-everything-like-a-mission-and-a-job/) [Sam Taylor-Wood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sam-taylor-wood/) > [If you run for mayor, people say you're being egotistical. If you decide you won't run for mayor, people say you're being self-centered and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-gonzalez/if-you-run-for-mayor-people-say-you-re-being-egotistical-if-you/) [Matt Gonzalez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-gonzalez/) > [“To realize that self-esteem is just that: esteem fulfilled by one’s self, not with the assistance of some other person, action, or object.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-phipps-woodall/to-realize-that-self-esteem-is-just-that-esteem-fulfilled-by-one-s/) [Robin Phipps Woodall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-phipps-woodall/) > [It's only in the act of pushing yourself, challenging yourself to make a contribution to your community, to your family, to your country, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-greitens/it-s-only-in-the-act-of-pushing-yourself-challenging-yourself-to-make/) [Eric Greitens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-greitens/) > [“When we let go of the self, we are more inspired to work with others; and when we are generous to others, we realize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chogyam-trungpa/when-we-let-go-of-the-self-we-are-more-inspired-to-work-with-others/) [Chögyam Trungpa](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chogyam-trungpa/) > [It is hard to really be yourself but when you finally realize your whole self you'll never want to change yourself again.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-mark/it-is-hard-to-really-be-yourself-but-when-you-finally-realize-your/) [Terry Mark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-mark/) > [You may go on reading any number of books on Meditation. They can only tell you ‘Realize the Self’. The Self cannot be found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ramana-maharshi/you-may-go-on-reading-any-number-of-books-on-meditation-they-can-only/) [Ramana Maharshi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ramana-maharshi/) > [Do we not realize that self respect comes with self reliance?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-we-not-realize-that-self-respect-comes-with-self-reliance/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## More by Terry Fox > [It almost hurts me to walk down a road and have people grab my hand and ask for my autograph and not sit and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-fox/it-almost-hurts-me-to-walk-down-a-road-and-have-people-grab-my-hand/) [Terry Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-fox/) > [Our privacy is starting to be invaded and we can't get anything done. I'm happy with the fundraising but upset we don't have time…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-fox/our-privacy-is-starting-to-be-invaded-and-we-can-t-get-anything-done/) [Terry Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-fox/) > [“I just wish people would realise that anything is possible if you try. Dreams are made if people try.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-fox/i-just-wish-people-would-realise-that-anything-is-possible-if-you-try/) [Terry Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-fox/) > [Dreams are made possible if you try](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-fox/dreams-are-made-possible-if-you-try/) [Terry Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-fox/) > [Maybe now, instead of being afraid and saying, 'Look how hard Terry tried, and he still got cancer,' instead people will say, 'Look at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-fox/maybe-now-instead-of-being-afraid-and-saying-look-how-hard-terry/) [Terry Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-fox/) > [If I ran to a doctor every time I got a little cyst or abrasion, I'd still be in Nova Scotia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-fox/if-i-ran-to-a-doctor-every-time-i-got-a-little-cyst-or-abrasion-i-d/) [Terry Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-fox/) > [I know that you can do the impossible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-fox/i-know-that-you-can-do-the-impossible/) [Terry Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-fox/) > [I don’t feel that this is unfair. That’s the thing about cancer. I’m not the only one, it happens all the time to people.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-fox/i-don-t-feel-that-this-is-unfair-that-s-the-thing-about-cancer-i-m/) [Terry Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-fox/) > [I bet some of you feel sorry for me. Well don't. Having an artificial leg has its advantages. I've broken my right knee many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-fox/i-bet-some-of-you-feel-sorry-for-me-well-don-t-having-an-artificial/) [Terry Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-fox/) > [I'm not a dreamer... but I believe in miracles. I have to](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-fox/i-m-not-a-dreamer-but-i-believe-in-miracles-i-have-to/) [Terry Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-fox/) > [Twenty-six miles is now my daily minimum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-fox/twenty-six-miles-is-now-my-daily-minimum/) [Terry Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-fox/) > [I've said to people before that I'm going to do my very best to make it, and I'm not going to give up. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-fox/i-ve-said-to-people-before-that-i-m-going-to-do-my-very-best-to-make/) [Terry Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-fox/) > [One thing hurts me. I keep hearing 'Terry Fox.' I'm not doing the run to become rich or famous... To me, being famous is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-fox/one-thing-hurts-me-i-keep-hearing-terry-fox-i-m-not-doing-the-run-to/) [Terry Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-fox/) > [If there's a pro-Canadian, or someone who's a real proud Canadian, I am. Nobody in Canada would want a united Canada more than me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-fox/if-there-s-a-pro-canadian-or-someone-who-s-a-real-proud-canadian-i-am/) [Terry Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-fox/) > [I loved it. I enjoyed myself so much, and that was what other people couldn't realize. They thought I was going through a nightmare…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/terry-fox/i-loved-it-i-enjoyed-myself-so-much-and-that-was-what-other-people/) [Terry Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-fox/) [Explore all 49 Terry Fox quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/terry-fox/) ## More Answers quotes > [The one thing that I keep learning over and over again is that I don't know nothing. 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Lecturing to children is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walt-disney/i-have-long-felt-that-the-way-to-keep-children-out-of-trouble-is-to/) [Walt Disney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walt-disney/) > [Let me tell you that atheism has never painted a masterpiece. Atheism has never dispelled fear. Atheism has never healed a disease; faith in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hagee/let-me-tell-you-that-atheism-has-never-painted-a-masterpiece-atheism/) [John Hagee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hagee/) > [“As long as you keep searching,the answers will come.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-kynock/as-long-as-you-keep-searching-the-answers-will-come/) [Mitch Kynock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-kynock/) > [The answer to deep anxiety is the deep adoration of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/the-answer-to-deep-anxiety-is-the-deep-adoration-of-god/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [A dialogue is very important. It is a form of communication in which question and answer continue till a question is left without an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jiddu-krishnamurti/a-dialogue-is-very-important-it-is-a-form-of-communication-in-which/) [Jiddu Krishnamurti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jiddu-krishnamurti/) > [There is a comfort in rituals, and rituals provide a framework for stability when you are trying to find answers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/deborah-norville/there-is-a-comfort-in-rituals-and-rituals-provide-a-framework-for/) [Deborah Norville](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/deborah-norville/) > [A religious person answers to God, not to the elected or non-elected official.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elie-wiesel/a-religious-person-answers-to-god-not-to-the-elected-or-non-elected/) [Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elie-wiesel/) > [Let us remember that every worldview-not just Christianity's-must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering...this is not just a problem distinctive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ravi-zacharias/let-us-remember-that-every-worldview-not-just-christianity-s-must/) [Ravi Zacharias](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ravi-zacharias/) > [Instead of asking a girl how she feels, try looking through her recently listened to songs. 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