“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it’s at the end of your arm, as you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.”
- May 4, 1929 – January 20, 1993
- British
- Actress, Humanitarian, Fashion Icon, UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
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Quote
“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand, it’s at the end of your arm, as you get older, remember you have another hand: The first is to help yourself, the second is to help others.”
Explanation
This quote by Audrey Hepburn blends practical wisdom with moral clarity, encouraging both self-reliance and service to others. The metaphor of the “helping hand” being at the end of your own arm is a call to empowerment and responsibility—to look first within ourselves for strength, rather than depending entirely on others. It is a recognition that personal growth and resilience begin with action.
As the quote continues, Hepburn introduces a second, equally important idea: “you have another hand… to help others.” This beautifully expands the concept of self-help into shared humanity, asserting that once we are able to stand on our own, we are obligated to extend compassion and support to those around us. It reflects her life philosophy, forged through her experiences of war and hardship, and later embodied in her humanitarian work.
In today’s fast-paced world, where independence is often championed at the expense of community, Hepburn’s words offer a balanced approach: true strength lies in both self-sufficiency and solidarity. Her message reminds us that we each have the power—and the duty—to uplift ourselves and others, using both hands in service of a more compassionate life.
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