1880-1968, American Blind/Deaf Author, Lecturer, Amorist
''Knowledge is power.'' Rather, knowledge is happiness, because to have knowledge — broad, deep knowledge — is to know true ends from false, and lofty things from low. To know the thoughts and deeds that have marked man's progress is to feel the great heartthrobs of humanity through the centuries; and if one does not feel in these pulsations a heavenward striving, one must indeed be deaf to the harmonies of life.
Helen Keller – [Knowledge]
Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.
Helen Keller – [Teams and Teamwork]
Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.
Helen Keller – [Suffering]
As selfishness and complaint pervert and cloud the mind, so love with its joy clears and sharpens the vision.
Helen Keller – [Selfishness]
Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold.
Helen Keller – [Danger]
Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved.
Helen Keller – [Character]
College isn't the place to go for ideas.
Helen Keller – [Colleges and Universities]
God himself is not secure, having given man dominion over his work.
Helen Keller – [Security]
I am only one, but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do.
Helen Keller – [Action]
I do not want the peace which passeth understanding, I want the understanding which bringeth peace.
Helen Keller – [Peace]
I have often been asked, ''Do not people bore you?'' I do not understand quite what that means. I suppose the calls of the stupid and curious, especially of newspaper reporters, are always inopportune. I also dislike people who try to talk down to my understanding. They are like people who when walking with you try to shorten their steps to suit yours; the hypocrisy in both cases is equally exasperating.
Helen Keller – [Disability]
I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble.
Helen Keller – [Things and Little Things]
I sometimes wonder if the hand is not more sensitive to the beauties of sculpture than the eye. I should think the wonderful rhythmical flow of lines and curves could be more subtly felt than seen. Be this as it may, I know that I can feel the heart-throbs of the ancient Greeks in their marble gods and goddesses.
Helen Keller – [Sculptures]
It is a terrible thing to see and have no vision.
Helen Keller – [Vision]
It is not possible for civilization to flow backwards while there is youth in the world. Youth may be headstrong, but it will advance it allotted length.
Helen Keller – [Youth]
Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow.
Helen Keller – [Attitude]
Life is an exciting business, and most exciting when it is lived for others
Helen Keller – [Life and Living]
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.
Helen Keller – [Risk]
Literature is my Utopia. Here I am not disfranchised. No barrier of the senses shuts me out from the sweet, gracious discourse of my book-friends. They talk to me without embarrassment or awkwardness.
Helen Keller – [Literature]
Many people have the wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification, but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.
Helen Keller – [Happiness]