The highest greatness, surviving time and stone, is that which proceeds from the soul of man. Monarchs and cabinets, generals and admirals, with the pomp of court and the circumstance of war, in the lapse of time disappear from sight; but the pioneers of truth, though poor and lowly, especially those whose example elevates human nature, and teaches the rights of man, so that "a government of the people, by the people, for the people, may not perish from the earth;" such a harbinger can never be forgotten, and their renown spreads co-extensive with the cause they served so well.
HAPPINESS · VERIFIED · EN
Charles Sumner Quote
“No true and permanent fame can be founded, except in labors which promote the happiness of mankind.”
Source: Three Thousand Selected Quotations from Brilliant Writers — Wikisource
Attribution status: verified · Publication status: cleared
Explore more quotes attributed to Charles Sumner or browse happiness quotes.
If you believe this quote is incorrectly attributed or should be removed, see Copyright and quote corrections.
Related verified quotes
Man, being essentially active, must find in activity his joy, as well as his beauty and glory; and labor, like every thing else that is good, is its own reward.
I have lived to know that the secret of happiness is never to allow your energies to stagnate.
People should be guarded against temptation to unlawful pleasures by furnishing them the means of innocent ones. In every community there must be pleasures, relaxations, and means of agreeable excitement; and if innocent are not furnished, resort will be had to criminal. Man was made to enjoy as well as labor; and the state of society should be adapted to this principle of human nature.
Recreation is not the highest kind of enjoyment; but in its time and place it is quite as proper as prayer.
In truth, there is no religion, no worship in our prosperity and ease. So far as we are happy, we are in a state of satisfied desire; so far as we are religious, we are in a state of aspiration and unsatisfied desire.