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Mother Teresa

31 quotes

“If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) said by 1997 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“The biggest disease today is not leprosy or tuberculosis, but rather the feeling of being unwanted.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) first seen 1971 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted by Malcolm Muggeridge in Something Beautiful for God (1971)
“I try to give to the poor people for love what the rich could get for money. No. I wouldn't touch a leper for a thousand pounds; yet I willingly cure him for the love of God.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) first seen 1975 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: In: , Mother Teresa of Calcutta, A Gift For God: Prayers and Meditations, New York: Harper & Row, 1975. p. 61; Cited in: M. Dhavamony. "Mother Teresa's mission of love for the poor" in: Studia missionalia, Vol 39. (1990…
“I see God in every human being. When I wash the leper's wounds, I feel I am nursing the Lord himself. Is it not a beautiful experience?”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) first seen 1977 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Statement of 1977, as quoted in Concise Oxford Dictionary of Quotations (2011) by Susan Ratcliffe, p. 373
“People are happier. There are more jobs. There are no strikes.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) first seen 1975 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Mother Teresa in Emergency Rule period, 1975-77; quoted in: David Aikman (1998), Great souls: six who changed the century, p. 244
“Jesus has a very special love for you. As for me, the silence and emptiness is so great that I look and do not see, listen and do not hear. The tongue moves but does not speak.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) first seen 1979 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Michael van der Peet (September 1979), quoted in "Mother Teresa Did Not Feel Christ's Presence for Last Half of Her Life, Letters Reveal", Fox News (24 August 2007)
“I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) first seen 1980 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Love Until It Hurts: A Tribute to Mother Teresa and the work of the men and women of the Missionaries of Charity (1980) by Daphne Rae
“From now on you must pray for your people and yourself three times a day.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) first seen 1984 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Remarks to Mengistu Haile Mariam during the 1984-85 Ethiopian famine, as quoted by Dawit Wolde Giorgis in Red Tears: War, Famine and Revolution in Ethiopia, (The Red Sea Press Inc. 1989), p. 213
“We are misunderstood, we are misrepresented, we are misreported. We are not nurses, we are not doctors, we are not teachers, we are not social workers. We are religious, we are religious, we are religious.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) first seen 1987 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Angelo Devananda, Daily Prayers with Mother Teresa (Fount, 1987), p. 91
“Love is a fruit in season at all times, and within reach of every hand. Anyone may gather it and no limit is set. Everyone can reach this love through meditation, spirit of prayer, and sacrifice, by an intense inner life.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) first seen 1987 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Love, A Fruit Always In Season : Daily Meditations from the Words of Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1987) edited by Dorothy S. Hunt
“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) first seen 1987 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Mary Alice Warner, ‎Dayna Beilenson (1987) Women of faith and spirit: their words & thoughts, p. 42
“Be kind to each other in your homes. Be kind to those who surround you. I prefer that you make mistakes in kindness rather than that you work miracles in unkindness. Often just for one word, one look, one quick action, and darkness fills the heart of the one we love.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) first seen 1988 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Quoted in: Charlotte Gray. Mother Teresa: Her Mission to Serve God by Caring for the Poor. G. Stevens, (1988), p. 53
“I don't know what to say since I don't know what is happening [in Albania]. I can say only one thing. My Albanian people are always in my heart. I pray very much to our Lord that His peace may come to our hearts, in our families and in all the world. I pray for Albania, that the Lord may help its leaders to see clearly because if they want to live in peace, they should love one another.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) first seen 1989 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Louis Zanga "Mother Teresa's visit to Albania", Radio Free Europe Research, (23 August 1989)
“The hunger for love is much more difficult to remove than the hunger for bread.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) first seen 1989 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Interview by Edward W. Desmond in TIME magazine (4 December 1989)
“We are called upon not to be successful, but to be faithful.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) said by 1997 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
“I've never seen the poor people being so familiar with their head of state as they were with her. It was a beautiful lesson for me.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) first seen 1995 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On meeting Michèle Duvalier, quoted by Christopher Hitchens in The Missionary Position, (Verso, 1995), page 5
“I think it is very beautiful for the poor to accept their lot, to share it with the passion of Christ. I think the world is being much helped by the suffering of the poor people.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) first seen 1995 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted by Christopher Hitchens in The Missionary Position, (Verso, 1995), page 11
“I do not know anything about Charles Keating's work or his business or the matters you are dealing with. I only know he has been kind and generous to God's poor, and always ready to help whenever there was a need... Whenever someone asks me to speak to a judge, I always tell them to pray, to look into [their] heart, and to do what Jesus would do in that circumstance. And this is what I am asking of you, your Honor.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) first seen 1992 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Letter to Judge Lance Ito, requesting clemency for Charles Keating (January 18 1992), as quoted by Christopher Hitchens in The Missionary Position, (Verso, 1995), page 67
“I've always said we should help a Hindu become a better Hindu, a Muslim become a better Muslim, a Catholic become a better Catholic.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) first seen 1995 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: A Simple Path, compiled by Lucinda Vardey (Ballantine Books, 1995), page 31
“I am so pleased with all the good work you are doing for world peace and for people in so many countries. May we continue to work together and to share together all for the glory of God and for the good of man.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) first seen 1997 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: To Sri Chinmoy, as quoted in The Wings of Joy : Finding Your Path to Inner Peace (1997) by Sri Chinmoy
“Spread love everywhere you go; first of all in your house. Give love to your children, to your wife or husband, to a next door neighbor. Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness; kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) said by 1997 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Worldwide Laws of Life : 200 Eternal Spiritual Principles‎ (1998) by John Templeton, p. 448
“We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But if the drop was not in the ocean, I think the ocean would be less because of the missing drop.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) said by 1997 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Mother Teresa's Reaching Out In Love - Stories told by Mother Teresa, Compiled and Edited by Edward Le Joly and Jaya Chaliha, Barnes & Noble, 2002, p. 122
“I do not agree with a big way of doing things. What matters is the individual. If we wait till we get numbers, then we will be lost in the numbers and we will never be able to show that love and respect for the person.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) said by 1997 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Mother Teresa's Reaching Out In Love - Stories told by Mother Teresa, Compiled and Edited by Edward Le Joly and Jaya Chaliha, Barnes & Noble, 2002, p. 122
“I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I do know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, He will not ask, "How many good things have you done in your life?," rather He will ask, "How much love did you put into what you did?”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) said by 1997 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Quoted in: Honor Books, ‎W. B. Freeman (2004), God's Little Devotional Book for Girls, p. 205
“If I ever become a Saint — I surely be one of "darkness". I will continually be absent from Heaven — to light the light of those in darkness on earth.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) said by 1997 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light (2007) by Brian Kolodiejchuk <!-- *If I ever become a saint, I will surely be one of 'darkness'. I will be absent from heaven for those in darkness on earth.
“Don't look for big things, just do small things with great love....The smaller the thing, the greater must be our love.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) said by 1997 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: As quoted in Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light (2007) by Brian Kolodiejchuk
“If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) said by 1997 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Mother Teresa Reflects on Working Toward Peace, (essay, Santa Clara University, retrieved August 2012).
“My own Jesus, They say people in hell suffer eternal pain because of the loss of God – they would go through all that suffering if they had just a little hope of possessing God. In my soul I feel just that terrible pain of loss, of God not wanting me, of God not being God, of God not really existing (Jesus, please forgive my blasphemies, I have been told to write everything). That darkness that surrounds me on all sides. I can’t lift my soul to God – no light or inspiration enters my soul. I speak of love for souls, of tender love for God, words pass through my words [sic, lips], and I long with a deep longing to believe in them! What do I labour for? If there be no God—there can be no soul.—If there is no soul then Jesus—You also are not true... Jesus don't let my soul be deceived—nor let me deceive anyone. In the call You said that I would have to suffer much.—Ten years—my Jesus, You have done to me according to Your will—and Jesus hear my prayer—if this pleases You—if my pain and suffering—my darkness and separation gives You a drop of consolation—my own Jesus, do with me as You wish—as long as You wish, without a single glance at my feelings and pain... I beg of You only one thing—please do not take the trouble to return soon.—I am ready to wait for You for all eternity.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) first seen 1959 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On her dark night of spiritual desolation amidst devotion, in a letter addressed to Jesus, as quoted in Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light (2007) edited by Father Brian Kolodiejchuk, p. 192; regarding this quote, Fr. Kolod…
“Often I wonder what does really God get from me in this state — no faith, no love — not even in feelings. The other day I can't tell you how bad I felt. — There was a moment when I nearly refused to accept. — Deliberately I took the Rosary and very slowly and without even meditating or thinking – I said it slowly and calmly. The moment passed — but the darkness is so dark, and the pain is so painful. – But I accept whatever He gives and I give whatever He takes. People say they are drawn closer to God — seeing my strong faith. – is this not deceiving people? Every time I have wanted to tell the truth – “that I have no faith” – the words just do not come – my mouth remains closed. – And yet I still keep on smiling at God and all.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) first seen 1962 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: On her dark night of spiritual desolation amidst devotion, in a letter to Bishop Lawrence Trevor Picachy (September 1962), as quoted in Mother Teresa: Come Be My Light (2009) by Brian Kolodiejchuk, 2009, p. 238
“I was amazed when I learned that in the West so many young people are on drugs. I tried to understand the reason for this. Why? The answer is, “because in the family there is nobody who cares about them.” Fathers and mothers are so busy they have no time. Young parents work, and the child lives in the street and goes his own way. We speak of peace. These are the things that threaten peace. I think that today peace is threatened by abortion, too, which is a true war, the direct killing of a child by its own mother. In the Bible we read that God clearly said: “Even though a mother did forget her infant, I will not forget him.”Today, abortion is the worst evil, and the greatest enemy of peace. We who are here today were wanted by our parents. We would not be here if our parents had not wanted us.We want children, and we love them. But what about the other millions? Many are concerned about the children, like those in Africa, who die in great numbers either from hunger or for other reasons. But millions of children die intentionally, by the will of their mothers. Because if a mother can kill her own child, what will prevent us from killing ourselves, or one another? Nothing.”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) first seen 1979 wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: When receiving the Nobel peace price in 1979. As quoted from Hitchens, C. (2012). The missionary position: Mother Theresa in theory and practice.
“Lord, my God, who am I that You should forsake me? The Child of your Love–and now become as the most hated one–the one–You have thrown away as unwanted–unloved. I call, I cling, I want–and there is no One to answer–no One on Whom I can cling–no, No One.–Alone … Where is my Faith–even deep down right in there is nothing, but emptiness & darkness–My God–how painful is this unknown pain–I have no Faith–I dare not utter the words & thoughts that crowd in my heart–& make me suffer untold agony. So many unanswered questions live within me afraid to uncover them–because of the blasphemy–If there be God –please forgive me–When I try to raise my thoughts to Heaven–there is such convicting emptiness that those very thoughts return like sharp knives & hurt my very soul.–I am told God loves me–and yet the reality of darkness & coldness & emptiness is so great that nothing touches my soul. Did I make a mistake in surrendering blindly to the Call of the Sacred Heart?”
Mother Teresa (1910–1997) said by 1997 at the latest wikiquote, CC BY-SA 4.0 source
Recorded in: Undated letter indicating that, at least at times, Mother Teresa's theological doubts were strong enough to be regarded as Christian atheism, reported by Time (9 March 2007) and quoted in [http://www.theguardian.com/com…