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To try to make others comfortable is the only way to get right comfortable ourselves, and that comes partly of not being able to think so much about ourselves when we are helping other people. For our Selves will always do pretty well if we don't pay them too much attention. Our Selves are like some little children who will be happy enough so long as they are left to their own games, but when we begin to interfere with them, and make them presents of too nice playthings, or too many sweet things, they begin at once to fret and spoil.

George MacDonald#41

AltruismComfortCommunityPhilosophySelf care

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker suggests that focusing on helping others leads to personal comfort by reducing self-focused attention.
In plain terms
Helping others makes you comfortable because you stop worrying about yourself.
What can you take from it?
Focus on others to find personal comfort.

Where it applies

  • personal growth
  • therapy
  • volunteer work

Putting it to work

  • prioritize community service
  • practice active listening

Questions to consider

  • How does helping others heal us?
  • Is selfishness always bad?

Another view

Neglecting self-care entirely can be harmful.

More from George MacDonald

  1. To have what we want is riches; but to be able to do without is power.

    Permalink to quote #40
  2. Where there is no choice, we do well to make no difficulty.

    Permalink to quote #42
  3. There is a communion with God that asks for nothing, yet asks for everything ... He who seeks the Father more than anything He can give, is likely to have what…

    Permalink to quote #39

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