“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”
- August 26, 1910 – September 5, 1997
- Albanian
- Catholic nun and saint
- Founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India, and won the Nobel Peace Prize for her work in supporting the poor, sick, and orphans
Quote
“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”
Explanation
Mother Teresa’s quote emphasizes the importance of small acts of kindness and service, especially when we feel overwhelmed by the scale of a problem. Often, the issues we face—whether poverty, hunger, or suffering—can seem too vast for any single individual to make a significant impact. However, Mother Teresa teaches us that we don’t need to solve everything at once; what matters is doing what we can, one person at a time, with love and compassion. Even feeding just one person, or offering help in small ways, can have a profound impact on the life of that individual.
Mother Teresa’s life was a testament to this philosophy. While she could not help everyone, she dedicated herself to serving the individuals in front of her, understanding that each life was valuable and deserving of attention. Her ministry, though focused on the poorest and most marginalized, was built on the idea that small acts of love could add up to great change. By serving one person at a time, she was able to bring hope, dignity, and care to those in need.
In today’s world, this quote serves as a reminder that we don’t need to wait for the perfect conditions or grand opportunities to make a difference. Every small act of kindness—whether helping a neighbor, supporting a local charity, or simply offering a kind word—matters. For example, volunteering at a food bank and helping just one person, or helping a colleague with a difficult task, may feel like a small contribution, but it has the power to change lives and inspire others to do the same. In this way, each small action contributes to creating a world filled with more compassion and care.
