--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If a civil word or two will render a man…" description: "\"If a civil word or two will render a man happy, he must be a wretch indeed who will not give them to him. Such a disposition is like lighting another m..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/337/william-penn-1104_another-man_if-a-civil-word-or-two-will-render-a-man_1023893.png" --- # If a civil word or two will render a man happy, he must be… ![“If a civil word or two will render a man happy, he must be a wretch indeed who will not give them to him. Such a disposition is like lighting another man's candle by one's own, which loses none of its brilliancy by what the other gains.” quote by William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/337/william-penn-1104_another-man_if-a-civil-word-or-two-will-render-a-man_1023893.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/337/william-penn-1104_another-man_if-a-civil-word-or-two-will-render-a-man_1023893.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/337/william-penn-1104_another-man_if-a-civil-word-or-two-will-render-a-man_1023893.png) > “If a civil word or two will render a man happy, he must be a wretch indeed who will not give them to him. Such a disposition is like lighting another man's candle by one's own, which loses none of its brilliancy by what the other gains.” [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He argues that sharing a few kind words brings happiness, likening it to lighting another’s candle without dimming one's own light. **In simple terms:** Kind words make others happy and don’t diminish you. Key Takeaway Share kindness freely. Themes ethics humanity communication Mood warm reflective Type moral inspirational When to use this quote - personal relationships - customer service - leadership - education - mental health support Key Concepts generosity empathy social reciprocity psychology philosophy Questions to Reflect On - How can we balance self‑care with generosity? - When does giving become self‑exploitation? A Different Perspective The metaphor may overlook situations where resources (time, energy) are limited. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Another man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/another-man/) [Candle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/candle/) [Civil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil/) [Civil Word](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/civil-word-2298093/) [Disposition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disposition/) [Disposition Like](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/disposition-like-2298094/) [Gains](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gains/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Lighting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lighting/) [Loses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loses/) [Loses Brilliancy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loses-brilliancy-2298095/) [Man Happy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/man-happy/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Two](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/two/) ## Related quotes > [If a civil word or two will render a man happy, he must be a wretch indeed who will not tell them to him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/if-a-civil-word-or-two-will-render-a-man-happy-he-must-be-a-wretch-2/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [“Are you deaf as well as blind, woman? I’m not a carpet to walk over, and I distinctly heard myself speak. If I pinch…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-jordan/are-you-deaf-as-well-as-blind-woman-i-m-not-a-carpet-to-walk-over-and/) [Robert Jordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-jordan/) > [I myself have been particularly careful never to say a civil word to the United States. I have scoffed at their inhabitants as a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-bernard-shaw/i-myself-have-been-particularly-careful-never-to-say-a-civil-word-to/) [George Bernard Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-bernard-shaw/) > [“You know how you can tell the worth of a man? See how happy he makes the women around him.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jaden-skye/you-know-how-you-can-tell-the-worth-of-a-man-see-how-happy-he-makes/) [Jaden Skye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jaden-skye/) > [No man is happy; he is at best fortunate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/no-man-is-happy-he-is-at-best-fortunate/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [Of no mortal say, 'That man is happy,' till vexed by no grievous ill he pass Life's goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/of-no-mortal-say-that-man-is-happy-till-vexed-by-no-grievous-ill-he/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [“The happy man, therefore, is he who can make a right judgment in all things: he is happy who in his present circumstances, whatever…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca/the-happy-man-therefore-is-he-who-can-make-a-right-judgment-in-all/) [Seneca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca/) > [Pleasure is Nature's test, her sign of approval. When man is happy, he is in harmony with himself and his environment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/pleasure-is-nature-s-test-her-sign-of-approval-when-man-is-happy-he/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [“...count no man happy till he dies, free of pain at last.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sophocles/count-no-man-happy-till-he-dies-free-of-pain-at-last/) [Sophocles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sophocles/) > [Call no man happy until he is dead, but only lucky.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/solon/call-no-man-happy-until-he-is-dead-but-only-lucky/) [Solon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/solon/) > [If thou wilt make a man happy, add not unto his riches but take away from his desires.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/epicurus/if-thou-wilt-make-a-man-happy-add-not-unto-his-riches-but-take-away/) [Epicurus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/epicurus/) > [Come, let me know what it is that makes a Scotch man happy!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/come-let-me-know-what-it-is-that-makes-a-scotch-man-happy/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Call no day happy 'til it is done; call no man happy til he is dead.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/call-no-day-happy-til-it-is-done-call-no-man-happy-til-he-is-dead/) [Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aleksandr-solzhenitsyn/) > [“Is there any difference between a happy and a lucky man? A happy is someone who finds an oasis with drinking water in a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eraldo-banovac/is-there-any-difference-between-a-happy-and-a-lucky-man-a-happy-is/) [Eraldo Banovac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eraldo-banovac/) > [“Admire and appreciate your man and he will be happy on your side”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-alfiori/admire-and-appreciate-your-man-and-he-will-be-happy-on-your-side/) [Linda Alfiori](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-alfiori/) ## More by William Penn > [Love grows. Lust wastes by Enjoyment, and the Reason is, that one springs from an Union of Souls, and the other from an Union…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/love-grows-lust-wastes-by-enjoyment-and-the-reason-is-that-one/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [Once you've accumulated sufficient knowledge to get by, you're too old to remember it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/once-you-ve-accumulated-sufficient-knowledge-to-get-by-you-re-too-old/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [If thou wouldn't conquer thy weakness thou must not gratify it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/if-thou-wouldn-t-conquer-thy-weakness-thou-must-not-gratify-it/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [Religion is the fear of God, and its demonstration good works; and faith is the root of both: For without faith we cannot please…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/religion-is-the-fear-of-god-and-its-demonstration-good-works-and/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [All excess is ill; but drunkenness is of the worst sort. It spoils health, dismounts the mind, and unmans men. It reveals secrets, is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/all-excess-is-ill-but-drunkenness-is-of-the-worst-sort-it-spoils/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [“Let us then try what love can do to mend a broken world.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/let-us-then-try-what-love-can-do-to-mend-a-broken-world/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > ['Tis no sin to be tempted, but to be overcome.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/tis-no-sin-to-be-tempted-but-to-be-overcome/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [Perfect love casteth out fear.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/perfect-love-casteth-out-fear/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [By liberty of conscience, we understand not only a mere liberty of the mind, in believing or disbelieving this or that principle or doctrine;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/by-liberty-of-conscience-we-understand-not-only-a-mere-liberty-of-the/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [Content not thyself that thou art virtuous in the general; for one link being wanting, the chain is defective.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/content-not-thyself-that-thou-art-virtuous-in-the-general-for-one/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [We are apt to be very pert at censuring others, where we will not endure advice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/we-are-apt-to-be-very-pert-at-censuring-others-where-we-will-not/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [It is admirable to consider how many millions of people come into, and go out of the world, ignorant of themselves and of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/it-is-admirable-to-consider-how-many-millions-of-people-come-into-and/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [If thou wouldst rule well, thou must rule for God, and to do that, thou must be ruled by him... Those who will not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/if-thou-wouldst-rule-well-thou-must-rule-for-god-and-to-do-that-thou/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [In the rush and noise of life, as you have intervals, step home within yourselves and be still. Wait upon God, and feel His…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/in-the-rush-and-noise-of-life-as-you-have-intervals-step-home-within/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) > [Be sure that religion cannot be right that a man is the worse for having.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-penn/be-sure-that-religion-cannot-be-right-that-a-man-is-the-worse-for/) [William Penn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) [Explore all 291 William Penn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-penn/) ## More Another man quotes > [ Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then \[these?\],… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in-england-in-1624-and-in-this/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abraham-lincoln/) > [“I took ten days off and by 11 o’clock on the first morning I had drunk fourteen cups of coffee, read all the newspapers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-clarkson/i-took-ten-days-off-and-by-11-o-clock-on-the-first-morning-i-had/) [Jeremy Clarkson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-clarkson/) > [One day I woke up and Juventus wanted me, another Manchester United and what I know is that there were approaches made. But an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raul-jimenez/one-day-i-woke-up-and-juventus-wanted-me-another-manchester-united/) [Raul Jimenez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raul-jimenez/) > [“He often remembered his dad's admonition that envy was mental theft. If you coveted another man's possessions, Dad said, then you should be willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/he-often-remembered-his-dad-s-admonition-that-envy-was-mental-theft/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [Never break another man's rice bowl.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/akio-morita/never-break-another-man-s-rice-bowl/) [Akio Morita](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/akio-morita/) > [“One theory on cannibals, of course, is that they eat parts of their slain enemies to benefit from that person's greatest assets - their…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-powell/one-theory-on-cannibals-of-course-is-that-they-eat-parts-of-their/) [Julie Powell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-powell/) > [I admire machinery as much is any man, and am as thankful to it as any man can be for what it does for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/i-admire-machinery-as-much-is-any-man-and-am-as-thankful-to-it-as-any/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [“If you aren't in love, Willow Vaughn, then my name isn't Miriam Brigham." Willow started out of her daydreaming and glanced up from the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlotte-mcpherren/if-you-aren-t-in-love-willow-vaughn-then-my-name-isn-t-miriam-brigham/) [Charlotte McPherren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlotte-mcpherren/) > [“One man accomplishment Is another mans failure.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-sargent/one-man-accomplishment-is-another-mans-failure/) [Anthony Sargent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-sargent/) > [“Hell, I bet there's another man right now on the other side of this planet, standing in the pouring rain, fighting desperately for the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/el-montes/hell-i-bet-there-s-another-man-right-now-on-the-other-side-of-this/) [EL Montes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/el-montes/) > [The perception of what we as professors provide has changed. 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