That everybody can do something, without regard to how old or young they are, rich or poor or middle class they are, how busy or not busy they are and what level skills they have. Everyone can do something. And everybody should do something. ... And if you do it, you'll be happier.
Interpretation
Everyone has the ability and responsibility to contribute, regardless of their circumstances.
This quote emphasizes the idea that every individual, irrespective of age, wealth, or skills, has something to offer to the world. It underscores the notion that contribution and action lead not only to personal fulfillment but also to a greater sense of happiness, urging everyone to engage actively in making a difference.
In practice
Using this quote during a community service event to inspire volunteers to see the impact of their work.
You know, there was a recent poll which said that young people in the generation of the students here felt it was far more likely that they would see a UFO than that they would draw Social Security... It's very important you understand this. Once you understand this, you realize this is not an episode from the X Files, and you're not more likely to see a UFO if you do certain specific things.
When we got organized as a country, [and] wrote a fairly radical Constitution, with a radical Bill of Rights, giving radical amounts of freedom to Americans, it was assumed that Americans who had that freedom would use it responsibly...When personal freedom is being abused, you have to move to limit it.
For too long we've been told about 'us' and 'them.' Each and every election we see a new slate of arguments and ads telling us that 'they' are the problem, not 'us.' But there can be no 'them' in America. There's only us.
There is a huge body of business evidence now showing that energy savings give better service at lower cost with higher profit. We have to tear down barriers to successful markets and we have to create incentives to enter them.
Demand that your government pays more attention. It's immoral that people in Africa die like flies of diseases that no one dies of in the United States. And the more disease there is, the more political unrest there will be, leading to more Darfurs, which the U.S. will have to pay to fix.
I was not elected to produce a pile of vetoes.
If you embrace possibility thinking, your dreams will go from molehill to mountain size, and because you believe in possibilities, you put yourself in position to achieve them.
Instead of worrying about what people say of you, why not spend time trying to accomplish something they will admire.
With care and patience, people may accomplish things which, to an indolent person, would appear impossible.
In a time of darkness, you don't curse the darkness, you light a candle.
Busyness is not a reason for not getting other things done. It is an excuse for not claiming your true priorities.
On a given day, a given circumstance, you think you have a limit.
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