Altruism acts positively upon the lives of others, now and in the future, as well as in the wider natural world.
Those who benefit from another's altruism may be of the same or a different species.
Altruism is a quality of the spirit, and is not motivated by seeking personal, financial, or social advantage.
Be Well
Those who risk their own interests, and at times their life for others.
Those who donate blood or an organ without payment or knowledge of the recipient.
Those who help others in crisis, despite the risk at times to their own well-being.
Those who help a stranger in need.
Those who serve their community, without need of recognition or thanks.
Those who give their time and money anonymously to good causes, often driven by a desire to make a positive difference.
Let us try to teach generosity and altruism, because we are born selfish.
Richard Dawkins
Religion creates community, community creates altruism, and altruism turns us away from the self and towards the common good.
Jonathan Sacks
How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortune of others, and render their happiness necessary to him, though he derives nothing from it, except the pleasure of seeing it.
Adam Smith
We each see differently depending on our inner light. Art in all its forms helps me see. The artwork immediately above, 'The Morning Light', shows three figures at the top of a rise of meadow flowers, with bubbling cloud and sky blue. It is possible any one of these could be helping the other. This for me is an innocent expression of altruism.
The contrasting artwork 'Life Gives' shows a deep gorge with emerald green trees, birds, and the golden sunlit rock of earth. The immense scale speaks of how modest the effort of an individual is, yet also the power and force of those qualities deep within us.
Birds and animals use the experiences of others to further their chance of survival.
Some are sensitive only to the responses of their own species. Others are able to relate, empathise, understand and share in the experiences well beyond their immediate family, to those who are different.
Those fortunate who experience peace know it is not a static or passive state. It is the dynamic strain of resistance to the trust of a stranger.
When I not only think, but feel about another, my life is enriched by the possibility of love.
Altruism is rare and differs from love in that it requires I relinquish my practical and emotional needs when caring for another or others, and it is this that can take all my effort, whereas love often takes no effort at all as my feelings are at its centre as its force flows from within me.
Being alone is not enough,
Being with is not enough,
The sound of bird and sight of sky is not enough.
The warmth of sun,
The wash of rain,
The scent of pine and taste of fresh baked bread is not enough.
Ideas alone are not enough to quell my doubt and fear
That seeps below the waterline.
No matter what my sensory delight,
What flight of thought I make,
My need remains.
Alone or with,
What is enough?
What sign of hope with darkness trust?
With life: give, love.
Give once, give twice, give endless time,
Give ground, give back, give rise to thought,
Give nothing of yourself, give way,
Give in, give reason for,
Give now, give life, give birth, those most at peace give more.
With day or night
With joy or pain
Our summer, autumn, winter, spring
When love we share
Our morning song
With hope begin
With light become
Compassion without thought of self contributes to greater happiness.
Love, distinct from desire: giving without expectation or need of gain.
Encourage people to find the most effective ways to help others.
https://centreforeffectivealtruism.org
The Centre for Effective Altruism
Seek friendship with family, friend, neighbour, and enemy.
Make Peace Today
Take care to think of others before your self.
The United Nations Foundation
Be kind-hearted in all you do.
Be Kind Today
There is no limit to the good a person can do, so long as they do not care who gets the credit.
He who wishes to secure the good of others has already secured his own.
Confucius
We cannot do great things on this Earth, only small things with great love.
Mother Teresa
The best way to find yourself is to loose yourself in the service of others.
Mahatma Gandhi
Everybody wants to save the Earth; nobody wants to help Mom do the dishes.
P.J. O'Rourke