45 Profound Quotes by Mother Teresa to Inspire a Better World

As a mentor, motivational speaker, and author, I’ve always been drawn to the wisdom and compassion of Mother Teresa. Her life and words have been a constant source of inspiration for me, exemplifying the power of love, kindness, and service.

Mother Teresa, born Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910, in Skopje, Macedonia. She founded the Missionaries of Charity, a Roman Catholic congregation that helps those in need, and her selfless work touched the lives of countless individuals.

Though some of her views may have been controversial, Mother Teresa’s unwavering commitment to spreading love and compassion is undeniable. Her famous quote, “I was once asked why I don’t participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I’ll be there,” resonates deeply with my own philosophy of focusing on positivity and unity to overcome challenges and make the world a better place.

Inspired by her profound words, I have compiled 50 of the most impactful Mother Teresa quotes from her books, such as “Love: The Words and Inspiration of Mother Teresa” and “Where There Is Love, There is God,” as well as from her interviews. These quotes serve as a powerful reminder that, despite our differences and the struggles we face, perseverance, love, and compassion can enable us to rise above and become catalysts for constructive societal change.

Powerful Quotes by Mother Teresa on Kindness and Love

1. “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.” – Mother Teresa

2. “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” – Mother Teresa

3. “I know God won’t give me anything I can’t handle. I just wish he didn’t trust me so much.” – Mother Teresa

4. “Every time you smile at someone, it is an action of love, a gift to that person, a beautiful thing.” – Mother Teresa

5. “Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” – Mother Teresa

6. “God doesn’t require us to succeed; he only requires that you try.” – Mother Teresa

7. “Live simply so others may simply live.” – Mother Teresa

8. “Prayer is not asking. Prayer is putting oneself in the hands of God, at His disposition, and listening to His voice in the depth of our hearts.” – Mother Teresa

9. “I can do things you cannot, you can do things I cannot; together we can do great things.” – Mother Teresa

10. “Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” – Mother Teresa

11. Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.” – Mother Teresa

12. “Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired.” – Mother Teresa

13. “Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” – Mother Teresa

14. “Joy is a net of love by which you can catch souls.” – Mother Teresa

15. “Good works are links that form a chain of love.” – Mother Teresa

Inspiring Quotes by Mother Teresa on Charity

16. “I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world.” – Mother Teresa

17. “It is a kingly act to assist the fallen.” – Mother Teresa

18. “I do not pray for success, I ask for faithfulness.” – Mother Teresa

19. “I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.” – Mother Teresa

20. “I think I’m more difficult than critical.” – Mother Teresa

21. “I try to give to the poor people for love what the rich could get for money. No, I wouldn’t touch a leper for a thousand pounds; yet I willingly cure him for the love of God.” – Mother Teresa

22. I want you to be concerned about your next-door neighbor. Do you know your next-door neighbor?” – Mother Teresa

23. “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” – Mother Teresa

24. “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” – Mother Teresa

25. “If we want a love message to be heard, it has got to be sent out. To keep a lamp burning, we have to keep putting oil in it.” – Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa Quotes On Humanity

26. “It’s not how much we give but how much love we put into giving” — Mother Teresa

27. “Helping hands are better than praying lips” — Mother Teresa

28. “We do not need guns and bombs to bring peace, we need love and compassion.” — Mother Teresa

29. “A life not lived for others is not a life”. — Mother Teresa

30. “I prefer you to make mistakes in kindness than work miracles in unkindness.” — Mother Teresa

31. “If I ever become a Saint–I will surely be one of ‘darkness.’ I will continually be absent from Heaven–to light the light of those in darkness on earth”. — Mother Teresa

32. “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.” — Mother Teresa

33. “Love begins by taking care of the closest ones – the ones at home”. — Mother Teresa

34. “They are every human being’s entitlement by virtue of his humanity”. — Mother Teresa

35. “Do ordinary things with extraordinary love”. — Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa Quotes About Service

36. “Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you”. — Mother Teresa

37. “Charity isn’t about pity; it is about love”. — Mother Teresa

38. “At the heart of life is service”. — Mother Teresa

39. “Love is a fruit in season at all times and within reach of every hand”. — Mother Teresa

40.“Prayer in action is love, love in action is service”. — Mother Teresa

41.“The most terrible poverty is loneliness, and the feeling of being unloved.” — Mother Teresa

42. “Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.” — Mother Teresa

43. “‎Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment.” — Mother Teresa

44. “True love is love that causes us pain, that hurts, and yet brings us joy.” — Mother Teresa

45. “Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time and always start with the person nearest you.” — Mother Teresa

Which of these beautiful quotes by Mother Teresa touched you the most, and why?

As you can see, Mother Teresa was big on love, giving, and being there for others.

Truth is, we all can love more and lend a helping hand more often.

We are in a time when people are more selfish and take their – and other’s lives – for granted.

Perhaps, these quotes by Mother Teresa will inspire you (and others) to start where she left off; helping the less fortunate and loving all despite our differences.

Which of these Mother Teresa quotes was your favorite?

Do you have any other inspirational quotes to add?

Let us know in the comment section below.