In 2018, the UN reported that an estimated 820 million people in the world do not have enough to eat. This is one of the sad realities of the world we live in. People suffer from extreme poverty, discrimination, and injustice.
People and groups set up charity organizations to voluntarily assist those who are in need. They give money and render services or amenities to individuals and communities. Civil society refers to space for collective action around shared interests, purposes, and values, generally distinct from government and commercial for-profit actors.
Charities and civil societies serve the important purpose of enhancing community participation in improving quality of life and influencing government policies to be truly people-centered. Here are a few quotes about charity and civil society that show just how much impact they have on society.
Related: You might also like our giving back quotes & equality and diversity quotes.
We rise by lifting others.
Robert Green "Bob" Ingersoll was born in 1833 and died in 1899 at the age of 66. He was a prominent member of the Republican Party and served as Illinois Attorney General. He was a writer and an orator who many know for his agnostic views. Nicknamed "The Great Agnostic," many of Ingersoll's speeches advocated freethought and humanism.
War, natural disasters, catastrophes, hunger, disease, and poverty, are some of the obstacles faced by people all over the world. They're factors that restrict many people from reaching their full potential. This, in turn, makes them unable to fully contribute their quota to world development. We aim the efforts of charity and civil society to help people to overcome these obstacles, thus making the world a better place.
We need a strong civil society where the connection between different people and groups is firm and vibrant, not brittle and divided.
McChrystal retired from the United States Army as a general. After his exit from the Army, he joined Yale University as a Jackson Institute for Global Affairs senior fellow, where he teaches Leadership. He is a co-founder and partner at McChrystal Group. McChrystal is also a member of the Spirit of America, an organization that is concerned with the safety of Americans serving abroad.
We can characterize the ideal Civil society by the willingness of citizens to rise to the occasions where they require a community effort. It requires voluntary effort to support the provision of public utility and autonomy, as civil society cannot coerce any one individual to contribute. Good ethics, solidarity, service, and professionalism are attributes of civil society.
True charity is the desire to be useful to others with no thought of recompense.
Swedenborg was a scientist, Christian mystic, philosopher, and theologian. He wrote several books to the scriptures as the immediate word of God. He died in 1772 at age 84. His life and works laid the foundation for what became the Church of New Jerusalem or New Church. A religious society formed some years after his death.
The right attitude towards charity efforts and discharging Civic duties should be one in which personal gain is not the motivation. This charity, civil society quote touches on the reason why many shy away from performing acts of charity and Civic obligations.
Doing charity work is always cool. It's always a good thing.
DeWyze is an American singer-songwriter, who won the ninth season of American Idol. He works with several charity organizations, performing songs for free at fundraisers. In 2012 he offered a free download of his song "fight" to donors of the "One for the Heart" campaign by The Heart Foundation.
Being involved in charity work or discharging Civic duties brings a sense of fulfillment that stems from being a part of something good. Whether it's influencing policies, checking government actions, providing food for the homeless, getting involved in helping roll out renewable energy, or giving medical aid. Being a part of something bigger than ourselves is a great feeling.
I feel like it's actually everybody's responsibility to use whatever platform they have to do good in the world, basically, and to try to make our society better, whether you're an accountant or an activist or an athlete or whatever it is. I think it's everybody's responsibility.
Rapinoe is an award-winning American professional soccer player. She is the captain of OL Reign in the National Women's Soccer League and the United States national team. She works with the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network (GLSEN). Rapinoe is also a contributor to the "Common Goal" campaign created for players to donate one percent of their income to support soccer-related charities.
The world is changing, more challenges are springing up every day. Every individual has to actively participate in creating a better world. There is always a need for more hands to support charitable causes and civil movements.
I knew a homeless guy who'd give all the copper coins that people gave him to charity. So I think there's something that makes us want to give. For me, it's quite a selfish luxury: you feel enlivened, deepened and self-nurtured by generosity.
Greig is an English actress, narrator, and comedian. She has garnered much acclaim as a stage actress. Greig won a Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in 2007 for her performance in Much Ado About Nothing. She has starred in various TV series, including Black Book and Belgravia. And Greig is an active supporter of the National Health Service.
There is no excuse for not helping someone or society out. Anyone can help, regardless of their financial capabilities. They can stand for a cause, speak at campaigns, provide a service, or volunteer.
I teach kids to read on a Saturday for this charity called Real Action. It's a voluntary school because lots of the kids around my area of London are from immigrant families and need extra help with reading.
Stirling is an English actress, who many know for stage, film, and television acting. She stars in Tipping the Velvet, Bletchley Circle, Lewis, Doctor Who, and many other movies. She has been twice nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for her work in theatre. Stirling occasionally anchors interviews on the BBC Radio 4 chat show Loose Ends.
Charities and civil societies play important roles in community development. They assist in providing local health care services, and maintenance of school amenities. They also advocate for or against policies and businesses that affect human rights or the environment.
As a society, we must not allow human rights abuses to go unnoticed and undocumented; it is a vital mission to fight ignorance of these tragic events.
Andy Dunn is an American entrepreneur. He co-founded Bonobos, a renowned apparel brand that Walmart purchased in 2017. He joined Walmart to manage the company's collection of direct-to-customer brands. He is a founding board member of the education social enterprise; Blue Engine. He owns the Red Swan Venture angel investment firm.
Individuals need to be more aware of the socio-political, environmental, and economic situation of their locality and the world. Only then can they identify areas in which they can help, whether it's donating used clothes or launching campaigns against unfavorable government policies.
Individual commitment to a group effort - that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.
Lombardi was an American football coach, he was the head coach of the Green Bay Packers in the 1960s and never had a losing season. Lombardi was noted for challenging racism and discrimination against gay people. He created a supportive environment for gay players and contributed to breaking the color barrier in football. He died at the age of 57, in 1970.
Charities and civil societies function through the effort of different people working diligently together. This charity, civil society quote reiterates the importance of each individual to have a better society. Just like how little drops of water make a mighty ocean, each dedicated individual will result in a better world.
I was always brought up that if you can make a difference, you should, and if you don't it's a waste. So we'll see if I can make a difference.
David Miliband is a British politician. He served as foreign secretary under PM Gordon Brown. Before that, he had worked as the head of the policy Unit when Tony Blair was PM. Miliband also held the position of the secretary of state for environment, food, and rural affairs, where he had the responsibility of developing British policy on climate change.
Civil society covers a wide scope of groups. They include community groups, NGOs, labor unions, indigenous groups, charitable organizations, faith-based organizations, professional associations, and foundations. These groups work in their different areas of influence for the improvement of life and society.
A good person can make another person good; it means that goodness will elicit goodness in the society; other persons will also be good.
Bhumibol Adulyadej reigned as the ninth King of Thailand. He was an accomplished painter, musician, photographer, author, and translator. Adulyadej was into the jazz style of music and wrote 49 compositions. He was also an award-winning sailor and boat designer, and builder. He passed away in 2016 after 70 Years on the throne.
Being charitable extends beyond dropping coins into the beggar's bowl. It involves providing services and solutions for people who are in desperate need but cannot afford to pay. Several youths all over the world benefit from schemes set up by civil societies or charity organizations. This, in turn, empowers them to make financial progress and motivates them to do the same for the coming generations.
It does not matter how much we donate; it matters whether the donation is meaningful. How to define meaningful? Let society and history judge.
Chan is chairman of the Hang Lung Group, which has one of the largest real estate development firms in Hong Kong. He serves on the advisory or governing bodies of several think tanks and universities. Chan is a philanthropist who has donated money to Harvard University and the University of Southern California.
The current situation of the world is such that the oppressed and in need far outnumber the free and wealthy. Charities and civil societies play a vital role in bridging this gap. They consist of ordinary people who are putting in efforts to create a better society. This results in community participation in providing services and policymaking.
Many of us know civil societies like Amnesty International, the World Wide Fund for Nature, and the Danish Refugee Council. They make efforts to promote peace, security, and environmental preservation. Charitable efforts come from people, organizations, and institutions, including orphanages, religious bodies, the Red Cross, etc.
Everyone, in their capacity, should be an active participant in charity and civil society organizations around them. And beyond the group effort, look for a simple way we can enrich someone else’s life each day.
The power of youth is the common wealth for the entire world. The faces of young people are the faces of our past, our present and our future. No segment in the society can match with the power, idealism, enthusiasm and courage of the young people.
Anticipate charity by preventing poverty.
We are constituted so that simple acts of kindness, such as giving to charity or expressing gratitude, have a positive effect on our long-term moods. The key to the happy life, it seems, is the good life: a life with sustained relationships, challenging work, and connections to community.
I definitely only want to do charity work that I'm hands-on involved in. I don't want to get a dress on and go to a stupid event.
But charity is a very complicated thing. It's important to find an area where you can really help and you can feel the results. Charity is not like feeding pigeons in the square. It is a process that requires professional management.
Helping, fixing and serving represent three different ways of seeing life. When you help, you see life as weak. When you fix, you see life as broken. When you serve, you see life as whole. Fixing and helping may be the work of the ego, and service the work of the soul.
I clear my wardrobe of anything I'm not wearing and give the clothes to charity.
I believe I have a personal responsibility to make a positive impact on society.
There are so many local nonprofits making a positive impact every day, and yet, oftentimes we don't hear enough about them or their needs.
If you truly believe in the value of life, you care about all of the weakest and most vulnerable members of society.
Early childhood education is the key to the betterment of society.
Humanitarian response, sustainable development, and sustaining peace are three sides of the same triangle.
You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.
I have a charity called the Chain Of Hope, where we target children from poor areas where heart surgery is not available, and we offer our services.
I give a tenth of my salary to charity every month, so in terms of giving back, I do my best.
Charity is very difficult to do right. Thinking through what people need: You can't start a charity without that. It's like starting a business without the product.
Charity is a fine thing if it's meeting a gap where needs must be met and there are no other resources. But in the long term we need to support people into helping themselves.
I get enormous satisfaction from knowing I'm doing something for society.
If we are peaceful, if we are happy, we can smile, and everyone in our family, our entire society, will benefit from our peace.
I'm going to give away a lot more than half my money. I'd be happy to give that to the government if the government put together programs that were like I'm giving away to charity, in which I believe the money is effectively used to help people.
The first duty of society is to give each of its members the possibility of fulfilling his destiny. When it becomes incapable of performing this duty it must be transformed.
There are over 200 million illiterate women in India. This low literacy negatively impacts not just their lives but also their families' and the country's economic development. A girl's lack of education also has a negative impact on the health and well-being of her children.
There can be hope only for a society which acts as one big family, not as many separate ones.
I really enjoy doing charity, for a good cause, it's like the least I can do, I really enjoy that stuff. I enjoy giving back.
People love me or hate me and all I think about is the people that I know and suffer with different causes and carry on my charity work and that's what keeps me alive really.
I'd love to work with children. I've set up the charity, and that's going well. We've got a lot of projects we're doing in Somalia, so I'd like to see how we're doing there.
As soon as you become of interest to the media, the charity requests start rolling in, and it's not easy saying no. But if you endorse every charity that asks you, you're not really endorsing any of them. It has to mean something.
I love music. I love filmmaking. I love law enforcement. I love doing a lot of the green work that I do, the charity work that I do, and I don't think that any one person has to be just one thing.
Charity only works when smart, innovative, compassionate people in the field are supported from home. The World of Children Award raises money and visibility for change makers, people doing the real work. We are a conduit for funding and resources only; all of our operating costs are covered by our generous board of governors.
Diversity in the world is a basic characteristic of human society, and also the key condition for a lively and dynamic world as we see today.
Millennials are more aware of society's many challenges than previous generations and less willing to accept maximizing shareholder value as a sufficient goal for their work. They are looking for a broader social purpose and want to work somewhere that has such a purpose.
I am so excited that society is taking so much interest in the disability sector and our belief in inclusion is getting so much media coverage.
I love charity thrift stores. Amazing one-of-a-kind pieces at terrific prices, and all the money you spend goes to a good cause.
Every society needs people who can encourage and stimulate and cheer. They are the ones who make the world run. You can be one of them!
You have to feel more involved than just writing out a cheque. Charity is almost the wrong word - I think people are beginning to feel more responsible for the world.
If you're an enthusiast and you love the world like I do, it comes naturally. But I think charity must become more fun to give, more interactive and imaginative.
I've always wanted to do charity stuff. I'm such a nurturer and love taking care of people.
Even though it's become a really cliched thing to see musicians working for charity, it's still effective and it still has to be done.
I'm not famous, which generally is an absolute plus point, but if you're on TV, or someone knows who you are, it can be quite helpful to a certain charity or certain cause.
The most helpful piece of advice that I could give to anybody is to select a charity, or create a charity, that you really feel passionate about and if you do, don't give up.
The biggest thing for me with charity is awareness. Obviously as an athlete, I have an opportunity to make people more aware. The average person doesn't have that opportunity, so the best way is to spare some money, clothing, food - something. Most of us have a little excess of something that we can give.
I am an advocate of education. It is the panacea for all that ails us in our society.
Charity must become a fundamental state of mind and heart that guides us in all we do.
Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another.
Charity is willingly given from the heart.
For me, I grew up in a house doing charity work for homeless people, and my parents had a lot of homeless friends. We were always taught to not discriminate and not judge.
As a society, we can't hide from the future; we have to build and own it.
There's a big difference between charity and between activism and philanthropy. They're very different things and I think, you know, everybody should find a passion or a cause that they can really get behind, but it has to be organic.
Information, education, skills, healthcare, livelihood, financial inclusion, small and village enterprises, opportunities for women, conservation of natural resources, distributed clean energy - entirely new possibilities have emerged to change the development model.
Jen’s a passionate environmentalist and sustainability expert. With a science degree from Babcock University Jen loves applying her research skills to craft editorial that connects with our global changemaker and readership audiences centered around topics including zero waste, sustainability, climate change, and biodiversity.
Elsewhere Jen’s interests include the role that future technology and data have in helping us solve some of the planet’s biggest challenges.
quotes
