12 Quotes That Remind Us That Anyone Can Change the World

This post is written in honor of Dominique, a young woman who recently lost her long-fought battle with cancer. As a beloved member of the Penn State Dance Marathon (THON) community, Dominique inspired countless individuals with her strength, courage, optimism, and resilience. Though her time was short, Dominique’s impact was nothing short of astounding. She inspired myself, and countless others, to never give up in our quest for a cure. Dominique changed the world – this is a reminder that we all have the ability to do the same.

1.

“It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can only do little – do what you can.”

– Sydney Smith

2.

“Few will have the greatness to bend history itself, but each of us can work to change a small portion of events. It is from numberless diverse acts of courage and belief that human history is shaped. Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current which can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.”

– Robert F. Kennedy

3.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

– Margaret Mead

4. 

“We are responsible for the world in which we find ourselves, if only because we are the only sentient force which can change it.”

– James Baldwin

5.

“Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference has never tried to fall asleep with a mosquito in the room.”

– Christine Todd Whitman

6.

“When you encourage others, you in the process are encouraged because you’re making a commitment and difference in that person’s life. Encouragement really does make a difference.”

– Zig Ziglar

7.

“If we did all the things we are capable of, we would literally astound ourselves.”

– Thomas Edison

8.

“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” 

– Edward Everett Hale

9.

“We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.”

– Winston Churchill

10.

“A true hero isn’t measured by the size of his strength, but by the size of his heart.”

– Zeus (from Disney’s Hercules)

11.

“The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person’s determination.”

– Tommy Lasorda

12.

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

– The Lorax