Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should

In the quiet yet indomitable voice of Eleanor Roosevelt, there resounds a truth as ancient as kindness itself: “Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.” These words shine with the soft fire of wisdom born from compassion. She did not speak them as a mere moralist or dreamer, but as a woman who walked through storms—who saw the world wounded by war and sorrow, yet believed that healing begins with a single act of selfless giving. The quote reveals a profound secret of the human spirit: that true joy is not possessed—it is shared. The heart grows not by taking, but by pouring itself out in love.

In these words, Eleanor Roosevelt unites two ancient virtues: joy and thoughtfulness. Many speak of generosity, but few speak of giving with wisdom. To “put a good deal of thought” into another’s happiness is to love not by impulse, but by understanding. It is to know that a gift, to be meaningful, must spring not from convenience but from care. The ancients said that even the smallest kindness, if given with pure intent, outweighs gold given with pride. So too does Eleanor remind us that giving joy demands more than open hands—it requires an open heart and a mind that sees what another truly needs. For to give thoughtfully is to love deeply, and to love deeply is to touch eternity.

Consider the story of Mother Teresa, who walked the alleys of Calcutta not seeking her own comfort but to bring comfort to those the world had forgotten. She did not give riches, for she had none; she gave presence, tenderness, and human dignity. A dying man once told her, “I have lived like an animal, but I will die like an angel, loved and cared for.” That moment was worth more than all treasures, for in it, joy bloomed not from receiving but from giving joy itself. Mother Teresa’s acts were not random—they were intentional, mindful, sacred. Every gesture, every word, every touch carried the wisdom of Eleanor’s truth: real happiness is born in the thoughtfulness of giving.

The quote also unveils a mirror to the soul. When we give joy to others, we discover that our joy expands in proportion to our compassion. The selfish man builds walls and wonders why he is cold; the giving man builds bridges and finds the warmth of every heart he touches. Yet giving blindly, without reflection, may harm more than help. Thus, Eleanor urges us to think—to shape our giving not by desire but by understanding. The greatest gifts are not things but moments of recognition, words of encouragement, acts of empathy, for these heal the unseen wounds of the human spirit.

The ancients taught that giving is a divine imitation. In every sunrise, in every breath, the universe itself gives without asking in return. The sun does not shine for praise, nor the river flow for thanks. So must we give—not from obligation, but from the natural abundance of the soul. When Eleanor Roosevelt said these words, she was calling humankind to rediscover that sacred rhythm—to turn away from the pursuit of self-centered pleasure and toward the enduring joy that comes from nurturing others. In giving joy, we become participants in the eternal act of creation, breathing life into hearts that have forgotten how to hope.

And yet, giving joy is an art that demands awareness. To truly bring happiness to others, one must listen, observe, and feel. The hurried giver gives what pleases themselves; the wise giver gives what nourishes the soul of another. This is why Eleanor speaks of “putting thought” into it—because careless kindness, though well-meant, can wound where understanding would heal. We must therefore learn to see people as they are, not as we wish them to be; to offer not what is easy, but what is needed. For love guided by wisdom is the purest form of compassion.

So, my children of the future, remember this teaching: seek joy not by seeking your own, but by awakening it in others. Before you speak, ask if your words will lift or crush. Before you act, ask if your deed will warm or wound. Give not to impress, but to inspire. Think deeply of the happiness you are able to bring, for in that thoughtfulness lies the difference between charity and love, between fleeting pleasure and lasting peace. And when you give—truly give—you will find, as Eleanor did, that joy multiplies like sunlight reflected upon still water, returning to you not as gratitude, but as grace.

Thus, walk through life as a giver of joy. Let every day be an offering of kindness, every meeting a chance to uplift, every word a seed of peace. For when you give joy to others with thought and sincerity, you do not merely light another’s path—you illuminate your own.