We must be our own before we can be another's.

We must be our own before we can be another's.

The race of mankind would perish did they cease to aid each other. We cannot exist without mutual help. All read more

The race of mankind would perish did they cease to aid each other. We cannot exist without mutual help. All therefore that need aid have a right to ask it from their fellow-men; and no one who has the power of granting can refuse it without guilt.

The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.

The value of a man resides in what he gives and not in what he is capable of receiving.

Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable read more

Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, then I acquire the ability to do it even if I didn't have it in the beginning.

We are not the same persons this year as last; nor are those we love. It is a happy chance read more

We are not the same persons this year as last; nor are those we love. It is a happy chance if we, changing, continue to love a changed person.

Some are weather-wise, some are otherwise.

Some are weather-wise, some are otherwise.

I find it interesting that the meanest life, the poorest existence, is attributed to God's will, but as human beings read more

I find it interesting that the meanest life, the poorest existence, is attributed to God's will, but as human beings become more affluent, as their living standard and style begin to ascend the material scale, God descends the scale of responsibility

No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the read more

No man is an Island, entire of itself; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main; if a clod be washed away by the sea, Europe is the less, as well as if a promontory were, as well as if a manor of thy friends or of thine own were; any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in Mankind; And therefore never send to know for whom the bell tolls; It tolls for thee. More mankind quotes coming soon. If you have a quote or proverb about mankind, please use the "Submit a Quote" form below to have your mankind quote reviewed by an editor. Suggestions or comments on this site? Send an email -John Donne.

The significance of a man is not in what he attains, but rather what he longs to attain.

The significance of a man is not in what he attains, but rather what he longs to attain.