--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: He who lights his [candle] at mine…" description: "\"He who lights his [candle] at mine receives light without darkening me.\" — Thomas Jefferson" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f11/thomas-jefferson-43_candle_he-who-lights-his-candle-at-mine-receive_1205196.jpg" --- # He who lights his \[candle\] at mine receives light without… ![“He who lights his [candle] at mine receives light without darkening me.” quote by Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f11/thomas-jefferson-43_candle_he-who-lights-his-candle-at-mine-receive_1205196.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f11/thomas-jefferson-43_candle_he-who-lights-his-candle-at-mine-receive_1205196.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f11/thomas-jefferson-43_candle_he-who-lights-his-candle-at-mine-receive_1205196.jpg) > “He who lights his \[candle\] at mine receives light without darkening me.” [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Sharing knowledge can be done without personal loss; generosity does not diminish the giver. **In simple terms:** Helping others doesn't hurt you. Key Takeaway Share freely without fear. Themes generosity knowledge community Mood compassionate reflective Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - teaching - mentoring - public speaking - volunteering Key Concepts altruism resource sharing Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance giving and self‑care? - What limits should you set when sharing? A Different Perspective If you overextend yourself, you may become depleted. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Candle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candle/) [Candle Receives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candle-receives-3630745/) [Darkening](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/darkening/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Lights](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lights/) [Lights Candle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lights-candle-995168/) [Mines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mines/) [Receives Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/receives-light-3630746/) ## Related quotes > [He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/he-who-receives-an-idea-from-me-receives-instruction-himself-without-2/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [If God lights the candle, none can blow it out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-spurgeon/if-god-lights-the-candle-none-can-blow-it-out/) [Charles Spurgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-spurgeon/) > [A candle loses nothing when it lights another candle.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-candle-loses-nothing-when-it-lights-another-candle/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [How beautiful to look at When my prayer Lights a candle of hope In my heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sri-chinmoy/how-beautiful-to-look-at-when-my-prayer-lights-a-candle-of-hope-in-my/) [Sri Chinmoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sri-chinmoy/) > [“A wise man lights a candle while fools are busy cursing the darkness”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-czerepak/a-wise-man-lights-a-candle-while-fools-are-busy-cursing-the-darkness/) [Seth Czerepak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-czerepak/) > [Enthusiasm is the match that lights the candle of achievement.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-arthur-ward/enthusiasm-is-the-match-that-lights-the-candle-of-achievement/) [William Arthur Ward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-arthur-ward/) > [“He who receives Light from above, from the Fountain of Light, No other doctrine needs, though granted true; But these are false, or little…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-milton/he-who-receives-light-from-above-from-the-fountain-of-light-no-other/) [John Milton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-milton/) > [If NATURE has made any one thing less susceptible than all others of exclusive property, it is the action of the thinking power called…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/if-nature-has-made-any-one-thing-less-susceptible-than-all-others-of/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [When God comes into your life, He lights a candle in your soul.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-bryant/when-god-comes-into-your-life-he-lights-a-candle-in-your-soul/) [Anita Bryant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anita-bryant/) > [Hope lights a candle instead of cursing the darkness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-keller/hope-lights-a-candle-instead-of-cursing-the-darkness/) [James Keller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-keller/) > [The real reason why people are going with digital is that it's extraordinarily mobile, and it's cheaper, and it has a great image, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-gilroy/the-real-reason-why-people-are-going-with-digital-is-that-it-s/) [Dan Gilroy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-gilroy/) > [Yet high over the city our line of yellow windows must have contributed their share of human secrecy to the casual watcher in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-scott-fitzgerald/yet-high-over-the-city-our-line-of-yellow-windows-must-have/) [F. Scott Fitzgerald](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/f-scott-fitzgerald/) > [These wrinkles are nothing These gray hairs are nothing, This stomach which sags with old food, these bruised and swollen ankles, my darkening brain,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-strand/these-wrinkles-are-nothing-these-gray-hairs-are-nothing-this-stomach/) [Mark Strand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-strand/) > [I had become so quiet and so small in the grass by the pond that I was barely noticeable, hardly there. I sat there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-brautigan/i-had-become-so-quiet-and-so-small-in-the-grass-by-the-pond-that-i/) [Richard Brautigan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-brautigan/) > [Colours change: in the morning light, red shines out bright and clear and the blues merge into their surroundings, melting into the greens; but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rosemary-verey/colours-change-in-the-morning-light-red-shines-out-bright-and-clear/) [Rosemary Verey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rosemary-verey/) ## More by Thomas Jefferson > [A man has a right to use a saw, an axe, a plane, separately; may he not combine their uses on the same piece…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-man-has-a-right-to-use-a-saw-an-axe-a-plane-separately-may-he-not/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Believing with you that religion is a matter which lies solely between man and his God, that he owes account to none other for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/believing-with-you-that-religion-is-a-matter-which-lies-solely/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [ \[States and the Federal government are\] coordinate departments of one simple and integral whole... The one is the domestic, the other the foreign branch… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/states-and-the-federal-government-are-coordinate-departments-of-one/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [I am for freedom of religion, and against all maneuvers to bring about a legal ascendency of one sect over another.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/i-am-for-freedom-of-religion-and-against-all-maneuvers-to-bring-about/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Single acts of tyranny may be ascribed to the accidental opinion of a day; but a series of oppressions, begun at a distinguished period…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/single-acts-of-tyranny-may-be-ascribed-to-the-accidental-opinion-of-a/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“Perceiving the order of nature to be that individual happiness shall be inseparable from the practice of virtue, I am willing to hope it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/perceiving-the-order-of-nature-to-be-that-individual-happiness-shall/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Free government is founded in jealousy, and not in confidence; it is jealousy, and not confidence, which prescribes limited constitutions, to bind down those…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/free-government-is-founded-in-jealousy-and-not-in-confidence-it-is/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Though you cannot see, when you take one step, what will be the next, yet follow truth, justice, and plain dealing, and never fear…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/though-you-cannot-see-when-you-take-one-step-what-will-be-the-next/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [A well informed citizenry is the best defense against tyranny.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/a-well-informed-citizenry-is-the-best-defense-against-tyranny/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [The two principles on which our conduct towards the Indians should be founded are justice and fear. After the injuries we have done them,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/the-two-principles-on-which-our-conduct-towards-the-indians-should-be/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Knowledge is power...knowled ge is safety...knowle dge is happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/knowledge-is-power-knowled-ge-is-safety-knowle-dge-is-happiness/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [There is... an artificial aristocracy founded on wealth and birth, without either virtue or talents... The artificial aristocracy is a mischievous ingredient in government,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/there-is-an-artificial-aristocracy-founded-on-wealth-and-birth/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [Nothing but free argument, raillery and even ridicule will preserve the purity of religion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/nothing-but-free-argument-raillery-and-even-ridicule-will-preserve/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [When the people are afraid of the government, that's tyranny. But when the government is afraid of the people, that's liberty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/when-the-people-are-afraid-of-the-government-that-s-tyranny-but-when/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) > [“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed, by their Creator, with certain unalienable Rights,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/we-hold-these-truths-to-be-self-evident-that-all-men-are-created/) [Thomas Jefferson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) [Explore all 2,098 Thomas Jefferson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/) ## More Candle quotes > [I'm a candle flame that sways in currents of air you can't see. 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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": "He who lights his [candle] at mine receives light without darkening me.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas Jefferson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/he-who-lights-his-candle-at-mine-receives-light-without-darkening-me/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Candle" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/he-who-lights-his-candle-at-mine-receives-light-without-darkening-me/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f11/thomas-jefferson-43_candle_he-who-lights-his-candle-at-mine-receive_1205196.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f11/thomas-jefferson-43_candle_he-who-lights-his-candle-at-mine-receive_1205196.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/f11/thomas-jefferson-43_candle_he-who-lights-his-candle-at-mine-receive_1205196.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“He who lights his [candle] at mine receives light without darkening me.” — Thomas Jefferson", "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": "Thomas Jefferson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-jefferson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "He who lights his [candle] at...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/he-who-lights-his-candle-at-mine-receives-light-without-darkening-me/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-jefferson/he-who-lights-his-candle-at-mine-receives-light-without-darkening-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 } } ] } ```