88 Helen Keller Quotes to Make You Feel Courageous

Last updated on November 7, 2022

Helen Adams Keller (born 27 June 1880, Tuscumbia, Alabama, United States – died 1 June 1968, Easton, Connecticut, United States) was an American author, disability rights advocate and lecturer. In 1904, she graduated cum laude from Radcliffe College of Harvard University and became the first person with deafblindness to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. Helen Keller is considered as one of the most influential people of the 20th century.

The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart. ― Helen Keller — The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.

When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us. ― Helen Keller — When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.

Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye. ― Helen Keller — Never bend your head. Always hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.

Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. ― Helen Keller — Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.

The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision. ― Helen Keller — The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.

We can do anything we want to if we stick to it long enough. ― Helen Keller — We can do anything we want to if we stick to it long enough.

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved. ― Helen Keller — Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved.

Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it. ― Helen Keller — Although the world is full of suffering, it is full also of the overcoming of it.

Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence. ― Helen Keller — Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence.

Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood. ― Helen Keller — Life is a succession of lessons which must be lived to be understood.

Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow. ― Helen Keller — Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow.

Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties. ― Helen Keller — Your success and happiness lies in you. Resolve to keep happy, and your joy and you shall form an invincible host against difficulties.

My share of the work may be limited, but the fact that it is work makes it precious. ― Helen Keller — My share of the work may be limited, but the fact that it is work makes it precious.

Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light. ― Helen Keller — Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.

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 — 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.

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 — 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.

No one has a right to consume happiness without producing it. ― Helen Keller — No one has a right to consume happiness without producing it.

Instead of comparing our lot with that of those who are more fortunate than we are, we should compare it with the lot of the great majority of our fellow men. It then appears that we are among the privileged. ― Helen Keller — Instead of comparing our lot with that of those who are more fortunate than we are, we should compare it with the lot of the great majority of our fellow men. It then appears that we are among the privileged.

The place between your comfort zone and your dream is where life takes place. ― Helen Keller — The place between your comfort zone and your dream is where life takes place.

Death is no more than passing from one room into another. But there’s a difference for me, you know. Because in that other room I shall be able to see. ― Helen Keller — Death is no more than passing from one room into another. But there’s a difference for me, you know. Because in that other room I shall be able to see.

Self-pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never do anything wise in this world. ― Helen Keller — Self-pity is our worst enemy and if we yield to it, we can never do anything wise in this world.

One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. ― Helen Keller — One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar.

Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much. ― Helen Keller — Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.

The highest result of education is tolerance. ― Helen Keller — The highest result of education is tolerance.

Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose. ― Helen Keller — Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness. It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.

Life is short and unpredictable. Eat the dessert first! ― Helen Keller — Life is short and unpredictable. Eat the dessert first!

A happy life consists not in the absence, but in the mastery of hardships. ― Helen Keller — A happy life consists not in the absence, but in the mastery of hardships.

I take happiness very seriously. It is a creed, a philosophy and an objective. ― Helen Keller — I take happiness very seriously. It is a creed, a philosophy and an objective.

Knowledge is love and light and vision. ― Helen Keller — Knowledge is love and light and vision.

What I’m looking for is not out there, it is in me. ― Helen Keller — What I’m looking for is not out there, it is in me.

You don’t love someone for their looks, or their clothes, or for their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear. ― Helen Keller — You don’t love someone for their looks, or their clothes, or for their fancy car, but because they sing a song only you can hear.

We are never really happy until we try to brighten the lives of others. ― Helen Keller — We are never really happy until we try to brighten the lives of others.

People don’t like to think, if one thinks, one must reach conclusions. Conclusions are not always pleasant. ― Helen Keller — People don’t like to think, if one thinks, one must reach conclusions. Conclusions are not always pleasant.

Ideas without action are useless. ― Helen Keller — Ideas without action are useless.

Be of good cheer. Do not think of today's failures, but of the success that may come tomorrow. You have set yourselves a difficult task, but you will succeed if you persevere; and you will find a joy in overcoming obstacles. Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost.
Helen Keller

We still have it in our power to rise above the fears, imagined and real, and to shoulder the great burdens which destiny has placed upon us, not for our country alone, but for the benefit of all the world. That is the only destiny worthy of America.
Helen Keller

Better to be blind and see with your heart, than to have two good eyes and see nothing. ― Helen Keller — Better to be blind and see with your heart, than to have two good eyes and see nothing.

Toleration is the greatest gift of the mind; it requires the same effort of the brain that it takes to balance oneself on a bicycle. ― Helen Keller — Toleration is the greatest gift of the mind; it requires the same effort of the brain that it takes to balance oneself on a bicycle.

A well-educated mind will always have more questions than answers. ― Helen Keller — A well-educated mind will always have more questions than answers.

It all comes to this: the simplest way to be happy is to do good. ― Helen Keller — It all comes to this: the simplest way to be happy is to do good.

Making a mistake is falling down; failure is not getting up again. ― Helen Keller — Making a mistake is falling down; failure is not getting up again.

The bulk of the world’s knowledge is an imaginary construction. ― Helen Keller — The bulk of the world’s knowledge is an imaginary construction.

Face your deficiencies and acknowledge them; but do not let them master you. Let them teach you patience, sweetness, insight. ― Helen Keller — Face your deficiencies and acknowledge them; but do not let them master you. Let them teach you patience, sweetness, insight.

Faith is a mockery if it does not teach us that we can build a more complete and beautiful world. ― Helen Keller — Faith is a mockery if it does not teach us that we can build a more complete and beautiful world.

I think the degree of a nation's civilisation may be measured by the degree of enlightenment of its women. ― Helen Keller — I think the degree of a nation's civilisation may be measured by the degree of enlightenment of its women.

Happiness is the final and perfect fruit of obedience to the laws of life. ― Helen Keller — Happiness is the final and perfect fruit of obedience to the laws of life.

Of all the senses, sight must be the most delightful. ― Helen Keller — Of all the senses, sight must be the most delightful.

As selfishness and complaint pervert the mind, so love with its joy clears and sharpens the vision. ― Helen Keller — As selfishness and complaint pervert the mind, so love with its joy clears and sharpens the vision.

What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, For all that we love deeply becomes a part of us. ― Helen Keller — What we once enjoyed and deeply loved we can never lose, For all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.

Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other’s welfare, social justice can never be attained. ― Helen Keller — Until the great mass of the people shall be filled with the sense of responsibility for each other’s welfare, social justice can never be attained.

No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit. ― Helen Keller — No pessimist ever discovered the secret of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new doorway for the human spirit.

The world is not moved only by the mighty shoves of the heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker. ― Helen Keller — The world is not moved only by the mighty shoves of the heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker.

We, the people, are not free. Our democracy is but a name. We vote? What does that mean? It means we choose between Tweedledee and Tweedledum. We elect expensive masters to do our work for us, and then blame them because they work for themselves and for their class.
Helen Keller

Relationships are like Rome—difficult to start out, incredible during the prosperity of the 'golden age', and unbearable during the fall. Then, a new kingdom will come along and the whole process will repeat itself until you come across a kingdom like Egypt ... that thrives and continues to flourish. This kingdom will become your best friend, your soul mate and your love.
Helen Keller

Science may have found a cure for most evils; but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all — the apathy of human beings. ― Helen Keller — Science may have found a cure for most evils; but it has found no remedy for the worst of them all — the apathy of human beings.

A bend in the road is not the end of the road…Unless you fail to make the turn. ― Helen Keller — A bend in the road is not the end of the road…Unless you fail to make the turn.

We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world. ― Helen Keller — We could never learn to be brave and patient, if there were only joy in the world.

While they were saying among themselves it cannot be done, it was done. ― Helen Keller — While they were saying among themselves it cannot be done, it was done.

I do not want the peace that passeth understanding. I want the understanding which bringeth peace. ― Helen Keller — I do not want the peace that passeth understanding. I want the understanding which bringeth peace.

When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another. ― Helen Keller — When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.

Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content. ― Helen Keller — Everything has its wonders, even darkness and silence, and I learn, whatever state I may be in, therein to be content.

The true test of a character is to face hard conditions with the determination to make them better. ― Helen Keller — The true test of a character is to face hard conditions with the determination to make them better.

There is no king who has not had a slave among his ancestors, and no slave who has not had a king among his. ― Helen Keller — There is no king who has not had a slave among his ancestors, and no slave who has not had a king among his.

Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold. ― Helen Keller — Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. The fearful are caught as often as the bold.

When you lose your vision, you lose contact with things. When you lose your hearing, you lose contact with people. ― Helen Keller — When you lose your vision, you lose contact with things. When you lose your hearing, you lose contact with people.

I thank God for my handicaps for, through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God. ― Helen Keller — I thank God for my handicaps for, through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God.

So long as you can sweeten another's pain, life is not in vain. ― Helen Keller — So long as you can sweeten another's pain, life is not in vain.

If I, deaf, blind, find life rich and interesting, how much more can you gain by the use of your five senses! ― Helen Keller — If I, deaf, blind, find life rich and interesting, how much more can you gain by the use of your five senses!

Happiness is like the mountain summit. It is sometimes hidden by clouds, but we know it is there. ― Helen Keller — Happiness is like the mountain summit. It is sometimes hidden by clouds, but we know it is there.

More than at any other time, when I hold a beloved book in my hand my limitations fall from me, my spirit is free. ― Helen Keller — More than at any other time, when I hold a beloved book in my hand my limitations fall from me, my spirit is free.

I believe humility is a virtue, but I prefer not to use it unless it is absolutely necessary. ― Helen Keller — I believe humility is a virtue, but I prefer not to use it unless it is absolutely necessary.

The most beautiful world is always entered through imagination. ― Helen Keller — The most beautiful world is always entered through imagination.

Everybody talks, nobody listens. Good listeners are as rare as white crows. ― Helen Keller — Everybody talks, nobody listens. Good listeners are as rare as white crows.

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 something that I can do. ― Helen Keller — 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 something that I can do.

There is no better way to thank God for your sight than by giving a helping hand to someone in the dark. ― Helen Keller — There is no better way to thank God for your sight than by giving a helping hand to someone in the dark.

Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light. ― Helen Keller — Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light.

Each day comes to me with both hands full of possibilities. ― Helen Keller — Each day comes to me with both hands full of possibilities.

The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves. ― Helen Keller — The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves.

Life is an exciting business, and most exciting when it is lived for others. ― Helen Keller — Life is an exciting business, and most exciting when it is lived for others.

I can see, and that is why I can be happy, in what you call the dark, but which to me is golden. I can see a God-made world, not a manmade world. ― Helen Keller — I can see, and that is why I can be happy, in what you call the dark, but which to me is golden. I can see a God-made world, not a manmade world.

The welfare of each is bound up in the welfare of all. ― Helen Keller — The welfare of each is bound up in the welfare of all.

Love is like a beautiful flower which I may not touch, but whose fragrance makes the garden a place of delight just the same. ― Helen Keller — Love is like a beautiful flower which I may not touch, but whose fragrance makes the garden a place of delight just the same.

College isn’t the place to go for ideas. ― Helen Keller — College isn’t the place to go for ideas.

True education combines intellect, beauty, goodness, and the greatest of these is goodness. ― Helen Keller — True education combines intellect, beauty, goodness, and the greatest of these is goodness.

True teaching cannot be learned from text-books any more than a surgeon can acquire his skill by reading about surgery. ― Helen Keller — True teaching cannot be learned from text-books any more than a surgeon can acquire his skill by reading about surgery.

Joy is the holy fire that keeps our purpose warm and our intelligence aglow. ― Helen Keller — Joy is the holy fire that keeps our purpose warm and our intelligence aglow.

No matter how dull, or how mean, or how wise a man is, he feels that happiness is his indisputable right. ― Helen Keller — No matter how dull, or how mean, or how wise a man is, he feels that happiness is his indisputable right.

The living word awakened my soul, gave it light, hope, joy, set it free! ― Helen Keller — The living word awakened my soul, gave it light, hope, joy, set it free!