After witnessing firsthand the poverty and suffering of the sick in the areas she visited as a nun, Mother Teresa chose the path of a humanitarian aid activist.
Her work resonated around the world, and she received numerous honors, including the Templeton Prize, the Nobel Peace Prize, and the Bharat Ratna.
Here, we introduce a selection of memorable quotes left by Mother Teresa, who was even called a saint.
From globally minded words that point the way to world peace to sayings that remind us of the precious people right in front of us, there’s much to reflect on—so be sure to check them out!
- Words that embrace a wounded heart... Comforting sayings by great and notable figures
- Heartwarming words, a single phrase gently lights up your tomorrow.
- Guaranteed to move you! Memorable words by great figures and famous people.
- A prescription for a weary heart! What comforting words can support and reassure you?
- Words from great and famous people that make you forget negativity in an instant!
- Life’s guideposts illuminated by sayings from the Analects: Confucius’s teachings that move the heart.
- Quotes that save your heart in times of pain or hardship
- A list of comforting words to soothe a tired heart: giving you the strength to face tomorrow
- Keep your favorite words close. A short collection of quotes that comfort the heart.
- Gems of famous quotes give us insights—words that move the heart and stir the soul.
- Messages from inspiring great figures that move the heart! Motivational quotes to uplift yourself
- Quotes from great figures that give us the power to live
- Knowing it will surely save your heart… Short quotes to remember when times are tough
Quotes (1–10) by Saint Mother Teresa, a saint who devoted her life to people in suffering
Love is not about how much we give, but about how much compassion we pour into it.NEW!Mother Teresa
This is a quote from Mother Teresa, a saint of the Catholic Church, an honorary citizen of the United States, and the founder of the Missionaries of Charity.
It is wonderful to give something to others with love.
But if it is done for self-satisfaction, the other person will not receive your kindness as love.
To feel love, what matters is how much compassion is present.
The moment giving becomes the purpose or the means, what you give will no longer be joy or happiness, but loneliness and sorrow.
Love is doing small things with great love.NEW!Mother Teresa
I would like to share words from Mother Teresa, a Catholic saint who received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.
This famous quote about love is among the best-known of her many sayings.
By “small things,” she meant gestures anyone can offer—smiling at a neighbor, helping with the cleaning, and other simple acts of kindness.
Each act may seem insignificant on its own, but when done with the greatest love, it can bring comfort and joy to others.
Expressing love is not actually so difficult; it’s something everyone can do.
You can just be yourself.Mother Teresa
When you’re feeling down, it’s natural to get caught up in questions like who you are and what you’re living for.
These words gently lighten those heavy thoughts about your purpose and worth—questions that are hard to answer.
Above all, what matters first is simply being yourself, and they encourage you to live without losing your sense of self.
They also suggest that treating yourself with care leads to caring for others as well.
Peace begins with a smile.Mother Teresa
This phrase carries the message that a “smile” is essential for building peace.
A smile is also an important form of communication in daily life, a way to convey warmth and kindness.
By sharing smiles, we draw closer at heart, fostering mutual understanding and empathy.
Smiling also helps us feel more positive ourselves.
When you feel stressed, try remembering this phrase.
Let’s not forget the message that smiles are born from small acts of kindness by each person, and strive to spend our days with a smile.
To love rather than to be loved. To understand rather than to be understood.Mother Teresa
As we go about our days interacting with others, the desire to be known and understood naturally grows stronger.
These words remind us that, more than seeking to be understood ourselves, what truly matters is choosing to understand and love the other person.
By valuing the other’s perspective and refraining from imposing ourselves, we show respect—and when both sides do this, it creates a peaceful relationship.
It’s a quote worth recalling especially when we find ourselves acting self-centered, as it brings us back to the importance of staying close and empathetic.
In this world, the hunger for love and gratitude is greater than the hunger for food.Mother Teresa
Hunger is a major issue faced by many countries around the world and can be seen as a cause that hinders peace.
These words tell us that hunger is not only about food, but also occurs in what is most important to people—love.
If the world lacks love and gratitude, peace will never come, and the shortage of a spirit willing to share with others may even lead to hunger for food.
It makes us reflect on this.
Perhaps, first cultivating deep feelings of love and gratitude is essential if we are to move toward peace.
What can we do for world peace? Go home and love your family.Mother Teresa
World peace often carries the image of being a huge, difficult goal, and it may be hard to even imagine how it could be achieved.
These are gentle yet powerful words that speak to what each of us should do to move toward peace in the world.
They tell us that loving our family is the first step toward world peace, and that we should start with what’s close to us and spread peace outward from there.
It reminds us that rather than only aiming for grand goals, it’s important to first turn our attention to those around us.