--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Try as some of us may, we cannot escape…" description: "\"“Try as some of us may, we cannot escape the influence our lives have upon the lives of others. Ours is the opportunity to build, to lift, to inspire, ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/428/thomas-s-monson-409_bible_try-as-some-of-us-may-we-cannot-escape-t_242408.png" --- # Try as some of us may, we cannot escape the influence our… ![“Try as some of us may, we cannot escape the influence our lives have upon the lives of others. Ours is the opportunity to build, to lift, to inspire, and indeed to lead. The New Testament teaches that it is impossible to take a right attitude toward Christ without taking an unselfish attitude…” quote by Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/428/thomas-s-monson-409_bible_try-as-some-of-us-may-we-cannot-escape-t_242408.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/428/thomas-s-monson-409_bible_try-as-some-of-us-may-we-cannot-escape-t_242408.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/428/thomas-s-monson-409_bible_try-as-some-of-us-may-we-cannot-escape-t_242408.png) > ““Try as some of us may, we cannot escape the influence our lives have upon the lives of others. Ours is the opportunity to build, to lift, to inspire, and indeed to lead. The New Testament teaches that it is impossible to take a right attitude toward Christ without taking an unselfish attitude toward men: ‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me’ (Matthew 25:40). We may think as we please, but there is no question about what the Bible teaches.”” [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Our actions affect others; leadership is a chance to uplift and inspire, rooted in selfless service. **In simple terms:** Helping others is essential to good leadership. Key Takeaway Lead by serving others. Themes leadership service influence faith Mood reflective inspirational Type ethical spiritual When to use this quote - church leadership - volunteer work - family mentoring - public speaking Key Concepts selflessness Christian ethics community impact Questions to Reflect On - How can you serve others daily? - What does selfless leadership look like in your life? A Different Perspective Selflessness may be hard when personal goals compete. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Bible](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) [Lives of others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lives-of-others/) [New testament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/new-testament/) ## Related quotes > [“Tears came to my eyes when I read of a mere boy in one of our eastern cities who noticed a vagrant asleep on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/tears-came-to-my-eyes-when-i-read-of-a-mere-boy-in-one-of-our-eastern/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [I grew up in the Methodist church and taught Sunday school, and one of my favorite passages of scripture is, 'in as much as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-warren/i-grew-up-in-the-methodist-church-and-taught-sunday-school-and-one-of/) [Elizabeth Warren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-warren/) > [If performed in the right spirit, there is no higher worship than the unpurchased service to another soul of whatever faith, belief, or social…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-e-faust/if-performed-in-the-right-spirit-there-is-no-higher-worship-than-the/) [James E. Faust](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-e-faust/) > [My beloved young friends, determine to serve one another. Opportunities for Christian acts of service do not always come at convenient times. Listen to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vaughn-j-featherstone/my-beloved-young-friends-determine-to-serve-one-another-opportunities/) [Vaughn J Featherstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vaughn-j-featherstone/) > [As we strive to better understand how Jesus sees us and contemplate our own attempts to live as the Redeemer would have us live,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cecil-o-samuelson/as-we-strive-to-better-understand-how-jesus-sees-us-and-contemplate/) [Cecil O. Samuelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cecil-o-samuelson/) > [Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-the-apostle/your-attitude-should-be-the-same-as-that-of-christ-jesus-who-being-in/) [Paul the Apostle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-the-apostle/) > [“That I feed the beggar, that I forgive an insult, that I love my enemy in the name of Christ, all these are undoubtedly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-g-jung/that-i-feed-the-beggar-that-i-forgive-an-insult-that-i-love-my-enemy/) [C.G. Jung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-g-jung/) > [Now, some of you may be shy by nature, perhaps feeling yourselves inadequate to respond affirmatively to a calling. Remember that this work is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/now-some-of-you-may-be-shy-by-nature-perhaps-feeling-yourselves/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [This is not a time for fear, brethren, but rather a time for faith—a time for each of us who holds the priesthood to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/this-is-not-a-time-for-fear-brethren-but-rather-a-time-for-faith-a/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [The priesthood is not really so much a gift as it is a commission to serve, a privilege to lift, and an opportunity to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/the-priesthood-is-not-really-so-much-a-gift-as-it-is-a-commission-to/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [In the performance of our responsibilities, I have learned that when we heed a silent prompting and act upon it without delay, our Heavenly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/in-the-performance-of-our-responsibilities-i-have-learned-that-when/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [Miracles are everywhere to be found when priesthood callings are magnified. When faith replaces doubt, when selfless service eliminates selfish striving, the power of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/miracles-are-everywhere-to-be-found-when-priesthood-callings-are/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [As a biblical inerrantist, I believe that what the Bible teaches is true and bow to the text, including its teaching about the Flood…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-a-dembski/as-a-biblical-inerrantist-i-believe-that-what-the-bible-teaches-is/) [William A. Dembski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-a-dembski/) > [“What is it the Bible teaches us? — repine, cruelty, and murder. What is it the Testament teaches us? — to believe that the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/what-is-it-the-bible-teaches-us-repine-cruelty-and-murder-what-is-it/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [What is it the Bible teaches us? - raping, cruelty, and murder. What is it the New Testament teaches us? - to believe that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/what-is-it-the-bible-teaches-us-raping-cruelty-and-murder-what-is-it/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) ## More by Thomas S. Monson > [I know that God loves us. He allows us to exercise our moral agency even when we misuse it. He permits us to make…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-know-that-god-loves-us-he-allows-us-to-exercise-our-moral-agency/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“Some find it difficult to withstand the mocking and unsavory remarks of foolish ones who ridicule chastity, honesty, and obedience to God’s commands. But…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/some-find-it-difficult-to-withstand-the-mocking-and-unsavory-remarks/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [Choose your love, Love your choice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/choose-your-love-love-your-choice/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [I ask you to make INSTITUTE a PRIORITY.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-ask-you-to-make-institute-a-priority/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [Those who grieve frequently find themselves alone. Missed is the laughter of children, the commotion of teenagers, and the tender, loving concern of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/those-who-grieve-frequently-find-themselves-alone-missed-is-the/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [I hope with all my heart and soul that every young man who receives the priesthood will honor that priesthood and be true to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-hope-with-all-my-heart-and-soul-that-every-young-man-who-receives/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“Forgiveness should go hand in hand with love. In our families, as well as with our friends, there can be hurt feelings and disagreements.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/forgiveness-should-go-hand-in-hand-with-love-in-our-families-as-well/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, He came forth from heaven to live on earth as mortal man and to establish the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/born-in-a-stable-cradled-in-a-manger-he-came-forth-from-heaven-to/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [“A happy home is but and earlier Heaven.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/a-happy-home-is-but-and-earlier-heaven/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sends forth to you an earnest appeal. Open your doors to the missionaries. Open your minds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/the-church-of-jesus-christ-of-latter-day-saints-sends-forth-to-you-an/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [This is my philosophy on all life, not just when it comes to love. All the best things are terrifying, but that's why they're…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/this-is-my-philosophy-on-all-life-not-just-when-it-comes-to-love-all/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness... We are the Lord’s hands here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/we-are-surrounded-by-those-in-need-of-our-attention-our-encouragement/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [You have a heritage honor it. You have posses a testimony share it. You will face temptations withstand it. You know the truth live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/you-have-a-heritage-honor-it-you-have-posses-a-testimony-share-it-you/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [We learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/we-learn-and-grow-and-become-stronger-as-we-face-and-survive-the/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) > [I am certain that the Lord, who notes the fall of a sparrow, looks with compassion upon those who have been called upon to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/i-am-certain-that-the-lord-who-notes-the-fall-of-a-sparrow-looks-with/) [Thomas S. Monson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) [Explore all 586 Thomas S. Monson quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/) ## More Bible quotes > [I think a new world will arise out of the religious mists when we approach our Bible with the idea that it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aiden-wilson-tozer/i-think-a-new-world-will-arise-out-of-the-religious-mists-when-we/) [Aiden Wilson Tozer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aiden-wilson-tozer/) > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [“God hates Hell. He hates the idea of people going there. He hates it so much that He was willing to take on human…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/evan-minton/god-hates-hell-he-hates-the-idea-of-people-going-there-he-hates-it-so/) [Evan Minton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/evan-minton/) > [“The Devil can cite Scripture for his purpose, Sergeant,’ Anthony Payne replied. ‘That is from The Merchant of Venice, but it holds great truth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-arnold/the-devil-can-cite-scripture-for-his-purpose-sergeant-anthony-payne/) Michael Arnold > [When you put your hand on the Bible, you are saying something much stronger than just telling your peers that you're going to tell…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lee-greenwood/when-you-put-your-hand-on-the-bible-you-are-saying-something-much/) [Lee Greenwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lee-greenwood/) > [“Scripture also teaches that human beings are morally responsible creatures”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-a-peterson/scripture-also-teaches-that-human-beings-are-morally-responsible/) Robert A. Peterson > [“The wife of a junior officer cooped up in a horrible canvas partition in steerage for five months wrote: "I had enjoyed much peace…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-taylor/the-wife-of-a-junior-officer-cooped-up-in-a-horrible-canvas-partition/) Stephen Taylor > [O Word of God incarnate . . . It is the golden casket Where gems of truth are stored; It is the heaven-drawn picture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walsham-how/o-word-of-god-incarnate-it-is-the-golden-casket-where-gems-of-truth/) Walsham How > [How can I trust that the Bible is reliable?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-horton/how-can-i-trust-that-the-bible-is-reliable/) [Michael Horton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-horton/) > [Every plant which my heavenly father has not planted with be uprooted](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesus-christ/every-plant-which-my-heavenly-father-has-not-planted-with-be-uprooted/) [Jesus Christ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesus-christ/) > [Where I come from you're not raised to think on your own. It's not that you're pushed to read the Bible. The Bible is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abel-ferrara/where-i-come-from-you-re-not-raised-to-think-on-your-own-it-s-not/) [Abel Ferrara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abel-ferrara/) > [“I felt like praying or something, when I was in bed, but I couldn't do it. I can't always pray when I feel like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-d-salinger/i-felt-like-praying-or-something-when-i-was-in-bed-but-i-couldn-t-do/) [J.D. Salinger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-d-salinger/) > [What comes to mind when you think of heaven? Heaven is referred to in fifty-four of the Bible's sixty-six books, and the final two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-jeremiah/what-comes-to-mind-when-you-think-of-heaven-heaven-is-referred-to-in/) [David Jeremiah](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-jeremiah/) > [“While it is in one sense a result of God’s presence within us, the New Testament also describes a process involved in our “putting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dallas-willard/while-it-is-in-one-sense-a-result-of-god-s-presence-within-us-the-new/) [Dallas Willard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dallas-willard/) > [The definition of a Church is crystal clear in the New Testament. We see the picture of it. They came together the first day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-macarthur/the-definition-of-a-church-is-crystal-clear-in-the-new-testament-we/) [John MacArthur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-macarthur/) [Browse all 8,465 Bible quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bible/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“Try as some of us may, we cannot escape the influence our lives have upon the lives of others. Ours is the opportunity to build, to lift, to inspire, and indeed to lead. The New Testament teaches that it is impossible to take a right attitude toward Christ without taking an unselfish attitude toward men: ‘Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me’ (Matthew 25:40). We may think as we please, but there is no question about what the Bible teaches.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Thomas S. Monson" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/try-as-some-of-us-may-we-cannot-escape-the-influence-our-lives-have/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Bible" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/try-as-some-of-us-may-we-cannot-escape-the-influence-our-lives-have/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/428/thomas-s-monson-409_bible_try-as-some-of-us-may-we-cannot-escape-t_242408.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/428/thomas-s-monson-409_bible_try-as-some-of-us-may-we-cannot-escape-t_242408.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/428/thomas-s-monson-409_bible_try-as-some-of-us-may-we-cannot-escape-t_242408.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Try as some of us may, we cannot escape the influence our lives have upon the lives of others. Ours is the…” — Thomas S. Monson", "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 S. Monson", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-s-monson/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“Try as some of us may,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/try-as-some-of-us-may-we-cannot-escape-the-influence-our-lives-have/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-s-monson/try-as-some-of-us-may-we-cannot-escape-the-influence-our-lives-have/#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 } } ] } ```