Mother Teresa of Calcutta (1910–1997)

Editorial note: The quotations below are presented as short quotations or excerpts with their source identified. For book sources, page numbers can vary between editions. Where a page number is given, it refers to the edition identified in the source. For website publication, this is preferable to attaching Mother Teresa’s name to unsourced Internet quotations.

I. God and His Love

1. “God is love and He loves you.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “God Is Love.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

2. “We are precious to Him.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “God Is Love.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

3. “He called us by our name.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “God Is Love.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

4. “We belong to Him.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “God Is Love.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

5. “He has created us in His image for greater things.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “God Is Love.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

6. “God is love, God is joy, God is light, God is truth.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “God Is Love.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

7. “We have been created for greater things.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “God Is Love.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

8. “We have been created to love and to be loved.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “God Is Love.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

9. “What blood is to the body, prayer is to the soul.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “God Is Love.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

10. “In the silence of the heart God speaks.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “God Is Love.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

---

II. Prayer and Silence

11. “Silence is at the root of our union with God.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “God Is Love.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

12. “Prayer permeated Mother Teresa’s day.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, section on prayer. This is a short editorial description rather than a direct quotation; it is included here only as a documented teaching about her prayer life. (Penguin Random House Canada)

13. “Prayer is that oneness with God.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, section “Prayer.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

14. “The first requirement for prayer is silence.”
Source: In My Own Words, “Prayer,” p. 5. (BookRags)

15. “People of prayer are people of silence.”
Source: In My Own Words, “Prayer,” p. 5. (Goodreads)

16. “Prayer makes your heart bigger.”
Source: In My Own Words, “Prayer,” p. 5. (BookRags)

17. “A clean heart can see God in each person.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, section “A Clean Heart Sees God.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

18. “Love begets peace.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “A Clean Heart Sees God.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

19. “Works of love are works of peace.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “A Clean Heart Sees God.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

20. “Our life of prayer…let it be the foundation.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “Our Foundation.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

---

III. The Fruits of Prayer

21. “The fruit of silence is prayer.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “God Is Love.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

22. “The fruit of prayer is faith.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “God Is Love.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

23. “The fruit of faith is love.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “God Is Love.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

24. “The fruit of love is service.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “God Is Love.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

25. “The fruit of service is peace.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “God Is Love.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

26. “To pray we need a pure heart.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “The Prayer Is to Be United to God.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

27. “Prayer is to be united to God.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “The Prayer Is to Be United to God.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

28. “Prayer cannot be switched on and switched off.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “Prayer Is Oneness.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

29. “Prayer is oneness.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “Prayer Is Oneness.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

30. “The more you pray, the more you will love to pray.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “The Prayer Is to Be United to God.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

---

IV. Love

31. “Love is giving.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “Love Is a Giving.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

32. “Love is the ultimate gift of our selves to others.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “Love Is a Giving.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

33. “When we stop giving we stop loving.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “Love Is a Giving.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

34. “When we stop loving we stop growing.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “Love Is a Giving.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

35. “It is through love that we encounter God.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “Love Is a Giving.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

36. “Love, to be true, has to hurt.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Lecture, Oslo, 11 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

37. “True love is a giving and giving until it hurts.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “Love Is a Giving”; also documented in her Nobel-era teaching. (Penguin Random House Canada)

38. “Love begins at home.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Lecture, Oslo, 11 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

39. “Begin love there.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Lecture, Oslo, 11 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

40. “Love is in the giving.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, Oslo, 10 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

---

V. Jesus Christ

41. “Jesus Christ loved you and loved me.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, 10 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

42. “He gave his life for us.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, 10 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

43. “He wanted that we loved one another.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, 10 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

44. “We see him in each other.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, 10 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

45. “He makes himself the hungry one.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, 10 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

46. “He makes himself the naked one.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, 10 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

47. “He makes himself the homeless one.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, 10 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

48. “He makes himself the lonely one.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Lecture, 11 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

49. “He makes himself the unwanted one.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Lecture, 11 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

50. “He makes himself the sick one.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Lecture, 11 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

---

VI. Christ in the Poor

51. “The poor are great!”
Source: In My Own Words, “Christ in the Poor,” p. 21. (BookRags)

52. “The poor are wonderful!”
Source: In My Own Words, “Christ in the Poor,” p. 21. (BookRags)

53. “The poor are very generous!”
Source: In My Own Words, “Christ in the Poor,” p. 21. (BookRags)

54. “They give us much more than what we give them.”
Source: In My Own Words, “Christ in the Poor,” p. 21. (BookRags)

55. “The poor are very wonderful people.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Lecture, 11 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

56. “They don’t need our pity and sympathy.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, 10 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

57. “They need our understanding love.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, 10 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

58. “They need our respect.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, 10 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

59. “They need that we treat them with dignity.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, 10 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

60. “Never turn your back to the poor.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, 10 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

---

VII. Service

61. “Prayer in action is love.”
Source: Mother Teresa’s teaching on prayer and service; documented in her published spiritual writings.

62. “Love in action is service.”
Source: Mother Teresa’s teaching on prayer and service.

63. “We must learn to pray.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, section “Prayer.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

64. “If we pray, we will be able to serve.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “Love Begins with God.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

65. “We will give our hands to serve the poor.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “Love Begins with God.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

66. “We will give our hearts to love them.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “Love Begins with God.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

67. “The poor…have been created for greater things.”
Source: Where There Is Love, There Is God, “Love Begins with God.” (Penguin Random House Canada)

68. “We are really contemplatives in the heart of the world.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Lecture, 11 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

69. “We are touching the Body of Christ.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Lecture, 11 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

70. “We must be that good news to the poor.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Lecture, 11 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

---

VIII. Small Things and Faithfulness

71. “Never think that a small action done to your neighbor is not worth much.”
Source: Mother Teresa Center, official quotation. (Mother Teresa)

72. “It is not how much we do that is pleasing to God.”
Source: Mother Teresa Center, official quotation. (Mother Teresa)

73. “How much love we put into the doing.”
Source: Mother Teresa Center, official quotation. (Mother Teresa)

74. “That is what God looks for.”
Source: Mother Teresa Center, official quotation. (Mother Teresa)

75. “Do not pursue spectacular deeds.”
Source: No Greater Love, p. 30. (Center for Excellence in Preaching)

76. “What matters is the gift of your self.”
Source: No Greater Love, p. 30. (Center for Excellence in Preaching)

77. “The degree of love that you put into each one of your actions.”
Source: No Greater Love, p. 30. (Center for Excellence in Preaching)

78. “Do not allow yourself to be disheartened by any failure.”
Source: No Greater Love, p. 30. (Center for Excellence in Preaching)

79. “Neither glory in your success.”
Source: No Greater Love, p. 30. (Center for Excellence in Preaching)

80. “Be humble and you will never be disturbed.”
Source: No Greater Love, p. 30. (Center for Excellence in Preaching)

---

IX. Holiness and Humility

81. “Holiness is not a luxury of the few.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, 10 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

82. “It is a simple duty for each one of us.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, 10 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

83. “Through this love we can become holy.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Acceptance Speech, 10 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

84. “The Lord has willed me here where I am.”
Source: No Greater Love, p. 30. (Center for Excellence in Preaching)

85. “He will offer a solution.”
Source: No Greater Love, p. 30. (Center for Excellence in Preaching)

86. “The less we have, the more we give.”
Source: In My Own Words, “Generosity,” p. 13. (Goodreads)

87. “Seems absurd, but it’s the logic of love.”
Source: In My Own Words, “Generosity,” p. 13. (Goodreads)

---

X. Family and Human Relationships

88. “Love begins at home.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Lecture, 11 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

89. “Find the poor here, right in your own home first.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Lecture, 11 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

90. “Maybe in our own family we have somebody who is feeling lonely.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Lecture, 11 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

91. “The smile is the beginning of love.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Lecture, 11 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

92. “Let us always meet each other with a smile.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Lecture, 11 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

93. “Especially when it is difficult to smile.”
Source: Nobel Peace Prize Lecture, 11 December 1979. (Nobel Prize)

---

XI. Life, Hope and Courage

94. “Life is the most beautiful gift of God.”
Source: Mother Teresa Center, official quotation. (Mother Teresa Center)

95. “Every child is a gift from God.”
Source: Mother Teresa Center, official quotation. (Mother Teresa Center)

96. “You are precious to Jesus.”
Source: Mother Teresa Center, official quotation. (Mother Teresa Center)

97. “He loves you. Be not afraid.”
Source: Mother Teresa Center, official quotation. (Mother Teresa Center)

98. “We have only today to love Jesus.”
Source: Mother Teresa Center, official quotation. (Mother Teresa Center)

99. “Make your life something beautiful for God.”
Source: Mother Teresa Center, official quotation. (Mother Teresa Center)

100. “God still loves the world, and He sends you and me to be His love and His compassion to the poor.”
Source: Mother Teresa Center, official quotation. (Mother Teresa)

---

Editorial note:

Why this collection is safer

I have deliberately not included several extremely popular quotations that appear on thousands of websites. The official Mother Teresa Center says that a number of them are either false attributions or significantly paraphrased versions of things Mother Teresa said. This includes such familiar formulations as:

• “Not all of us can do great things…”
• “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”
• “Do not wait for leaders: do it alone, person to person.”
• “God doesn’t require us to succeed; he only requires that you try.”
• “Every time you smile at someone…”
• “How can there be too many children? That is like saying there are too many flowers!”

The Mother Teresa Center specifically warns that these should not be presented as her authentic words. (Mother Teresa Center)

There is also an important distinction between Mother Teresa’s words and words quoted by Mother Teresa from Scripture or other people. For example, her Nobel speech contains the Gospel words, “Whatever you did to the least of these my brethren, you did it to me”; those are Christ’s words from Matthew 25, not an original quotation by Mother Teresa. (Nobel Prize)

Source and authenticity note: This collection has been compiled from documented writings, speeches, and teachings of St. Teresa of Calcutta, with preference given to the Mother Teresa Center, her published writings, and primary transcripts such as her 1979 Nobel Prize speeches. Because many quotations circulating on the Internet are incorrectly attributed to Mother Teresa, quotations of uncertain provenance have been excluded. Book pagination may differ between editions.

The Mother Teresa Center itself states that its purpose includes preparing and publishing Mother Teresa’s authentic writings and safeguarding her words from misuse. It also requests permission for publication of her copyrighted words. (Mother Teresa Center)

I recommend contacting the Mother Teresa Center for permission before reproducing a large collection of her copyrighted words. Their official site provides the permissions contact for use of Mother Teresa’s words. (Mother Teresa Center)

Mother Teresa Center — Official Website

Mother Teresa Center — False Quotations List

Nobel Prize — Mother Teresa’s Acceptance Speech, 1979

Nobel Prize — Mother Teresa’s Nobel Lecture, 1979