Quotes about service learning that showcase its essence
Service learning combines community service with education. When you take part in a service learning project, you learn about the need you’re addressing and why it’s important to provide assistance. Then you take action, doing hands-on initiatives.
There are a number of quotes about service learning that convey the essence of service learning and how everyone can participate. Here are some of the best:
“Everybody can be great because everybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve… You don’t have to know the second theory of thermodynamics in physics to serve. You only need a heart full of grace – a soul generated by love.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. King was renowned for his brilliance with words when he became a civil rights leader. This particular quote comes from the speech he gave two months before his assassination. It was part of the remarks he made from the pulpit at Ebenezer Baptist Church on February 4, 1968.
He adapted a homily called “The Drum Major Instinct.” This talks about the desire of people to be out in front and lead the parade – to be in charge and superior.
Instead, Dr. King talked about the wonders of humble servitude. In a bitter irony, he focused on his own funeral, saying that he wanted to be remembered for loving people.
“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Mahatma Gandhi is famous for promoting nonviolent resistance as he led a successful campaign for India’s independence from British rule. He began his life of service in early adulthood when he volunteered to create a group of stretcher-bearers during the Boer War in 1900.
For decades afterwards, he advocated for the oppressed and promoted love over hate. His bottom line about service shows how he found his life’s passion by serving others.
“The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The work of life is to develop it. The meaning of life is to give your gift away.” – Dr. David Viscott
A version of this quote is often incorrectly credited to Pablo Picasso or William Shakespeare. This passage is found in a book by the psychiatrist Dr. David Viscott.
He hosted a radio talk show in the 1980s and 1990s, and then wrote a book called Finding Your Strength in Difficult Times: A Book of Meditations. Regardless of the source, the meaning is clear. Service learning brings meaning to many people’s lives.
Quotes about the relationship between learning and service
Copyright: © 2015 Rustic Pathways
On a concrete level, service learning teaches people many hands-on skills. You may learn to mix cement or create a turtle nest.
You also learn social responsibility and cognitive traits, like how to solve problems. These lessons are enjoyable for lifelong learners, and they’re meaningful for employers who want well-rounded workers.
Here are three thought-provoking quotes about service learning and the relationship between learning and service.
“I’ve learned that you shouldn’t go through life with a catcher’s mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.” – Maya Angelou
Poet and activist Maya Angelou helps articulate the difference between classroom learning and service learning in this quote. Sitting in a classroom can feel like you’re holding mitts in both hands and catching all the lessons thrown your way.
Getting out in the world to do community service allows you to share those lessons – to throw back some of the good things you’ve received. The quote was part of an online passage on Angelou’s website that focuses on what she’s learned in life.
“Education must not simply teach work, it must teach life.” — W.E.B Du Bois
Author and civil rights activist W.E.B. DuBois included this quote in his article called “The Talented Tenth.” This phrase was used to describe African-American leaders in the early 20th century. It best encapsulates the power of learning in a service environment. In these spaces, students are being introduced to the real world and can see how we can make it better.
“The only source of knowledge is experience.” –Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein is most renowned for his work in theoretical physics, but he also had a way with words. Many of his tidbits of wisdom focused on the wonderful aspects of learning. This quote relates well to the importance of completing service learning work that gives you hands-on experience.
Quotes about the transformative impact of service learning
Copyright: © 2015 Rustic Pathways
On a broad level, service learning is transformative. It changes communities and individuals, fostering personal development and community bonds. Successful service learning allows people to understand societal issues. It also creates a ripple effect where these lessons are shared and brought to other parts of the world.
Here are two quotes on how service learning transforms communities across the globe.
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
This renowned quote is often attributed to anthropologist Margaret Mead, though there aren’t records to confirm this. Plus, several other famous people throughout history have said similar things.
Regardless, the quote is so famous because the sentiment is widely embraced. This idea that individual people can change the world when they work together is powerful. And it’s been proven to be true repeatedly throughout time.
“Small acts, when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world.” — Howard Zinn
American historian and playwright Howard Zinn is credited with this quote, which has a similar sentiment to the one above. The focus here though is on individual acts and how they don’t have to be large to make a difference. Indeed, this has been exemplified in many “paying it forward” actions that have shown that kindness is contagious.
Quotes about service learning that inspire engagement
Copyright: © 2015 Rustic Pathways
Knowing about the benefits of service learning sometimes is not enough. We may need a little more to inspire actions. Here are some of the best quotes on how service learning makes life worthwhile.
“What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” — Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela was South Africa’s first democratically elected president and a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. He was renowned for his fight against apartheid. He viewed service as something that should not be a one-time act but rather a social norm.
“Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” — Mother Teresa
Mother Teresa of Calcutta is a Nobel Peace Prize winner for her work with the “poorest of the poor” in India. She founded the Missionaries of Charity and was canonized as a saint by the Catholic church. Her quote is befitting because her life and legacy were built on small acts of love for those who were sick and in great need of assistance.
“If you want to touch the past, touch a rock. If you want to touch the present, touch a flower. If you want to touch the future, touch a life.” – Author Unknown
The source of this quote is unknown. Like other unknown quotes, it may be a compilation of thoughts from several people. Regardless, this inspirational phrase is simple – if we want to change the future, we need to do what we can to help others, one person at a time.
“An efficient and valuable man does what he can, whether the community pay him for it or not.” – Henry David Thoreau
Poet and philosopher Henry David Thoreau is known for his work against slavery and for participating in the Underground Railroad to helped escaped enslaved people make their way to freedom. His quote on community service cautions against a focus on money, inspiring us to give freely of our time for the welfare of others.
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” – Dr. Seuss
This famous quote from The Lorax might bring you back to your childhood. This quote can ignite passion for service like few other quotes can. If you are not going to help, who will?
Quotes that focus on building leadership through service learning
One of the core benefits of serving learning is the building of leadership. These quotes focus on that.
“To lead people, walk beside them… As for the best leaders, the people do not notice their existence… When the best leader’s work is done the people say, ‘We did it ourselves!'” — Lao Tzu
Lao Tzu was an ancient Chinese philosopher and author of Tao Te Ching, which is a key foundational text of Taoism. His quote emphasizes the importance of empowering others.
“The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” — Ralph Nader
Ralph Nader is an activist known for consumer protection, particularly in the automotive industry. He also fought for environmental conservation and government reform. Plus, he launched four campaigns for the U.S. presidency.
His famous quote emphasizes the idea that good leaders do not say “my way or the highway.” They inspire others to step up and use their individual talents to service others.
Quotes that foster personal growth through service learning
Service learning also launches personal growth. These quotes that reflect on that:
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” — Aesop
Aesop was a Greek storyteller known for Aesop’s fables. This quote showcases how the smallest act can make a big difference. So someone seeking personal growth can begin by taking small steps.
“The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.” — Helen Keller
Helen Keller was a disabilities rights activist who was born without sight or hearing. She symbolizes the human spirit, and our tremendous capacity to overcome hardship and grow.
Her quote showcases the idea that become a happier person, we need to give back. This is a core factor in personal growth, and key attribute of service learning. It allows people to share joy.
What Famous Quotes Tell Us About Service Learning?
Overall, there are many famous quotes about service learning because people throughout time have recognized the benefit of giving back. They are a roadmap to a better life.
If we want personal growth and transformative experiences, we can start small. Every generous gesture counts.
If you’re ready to get started, check out our service learning programs. You also can read more about service learning in these articles:
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