Liz Strauss at Successful Blog

Thinking, writing, business ideas … You’re only a stranger once.

February 12, 2007

Week of Valentines: Mother Teresa and Dr. Kent M. Keith

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 6:28 am

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Do Good Anyway

This version, often called “Do Good” or “Do Good Anyway”, is found on the wall in the home for children that Mother Teresa established in Calcutta. The Original Version called “The Paradoxical Commandments,” was written by Dr. Kent M. Keith as part of a piece for student leaders.

neon heart

People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered. Forgive them anyway.

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.

If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies. Succeed anyway.

If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you. Be honest and sincere anyway.

What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight. Create anyway.

If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous. Be happy anyway.

The good you do today, will often be forgotten. Do good anyway.

Give the best you have, and it will never be enough. Give your best anyway.

In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway.

Mother Teresa as taken from
The Paradoxical Commandments
by Dr. Kent M. Keith

Thanks, WheresJim, for the real story.

–ME “Liz” Strauss





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9 Comments to “Week of Valentines: Mother Teresa and Dr. Kent M. Keith”

  1. February 12th, 2007 at 8:30 am
    Brooke said

    I have never heard this before. Thank you for posting it. It really makes me think…

  2. February 12th, 2007 at 8:56 am
    Steve Roesler said

    Thanks, Liz,

    I had received emails and looked at people searching my blog for issues related to conflict. Always a sticky thing.

    Your Mother Teresa post is a wonderful read to move the heart in the right direction. Am going to reference it later today.

    Always enjoy checking in to your blog and am impacted by your writing.

    Keep on keepin’ on!

  3. February 12th, 2007 at 10:00 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Brooke!
    That’s so cool. I love being the first to introduce someone to the Mother Teresa/ Dr.Keith Writing.

    I find so inpsirational.

  4. February 12th, 2007 at 10:07 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Steve,
    If only we could be like helium and remember to rise above . . .

    There are so few things worth investing our anger and sore feelings and so often we find out tha when do, we did so with not enough information. Even when we are right the chemistry we release ourselves hurts us most of all.

    Being generous is a gift to ourselves as well as to others. :)

    Thank you, Steve, for your comments and for your readership. I enjoy hearing what you have to say. :)

  5. February 12th, 2007 at 6:35 pm
    Judy Harper said

    Thank you, Liz. I’m adding this to my (still very small, but growing) collection of wonderful quotes attributed to or associated with Mother Theresa. (My current favorite is this:
    “Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God’s kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile.” And you have, by your example, added these words: “…kindness in your blogs.” :-)

  6. February 12th, 2007 at 8:05 pm
    Rocky said

    That is a great quote. One of my favorites. Mother Theresa Just did it anyway and she changed the world. That is recommendation enough for me. Thanks!!

  7. February 12th, 2007 at 10:43 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Judy!
    Welcome!
    Happy Valentine’s Day! Thank you for your kindness in your comments. :)

    There is no good deed that doesn’t go both ways. :)

    You’re not a stranger anymore.

  8. February 12th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hey Rocky,
    What fun it is to have you around again so often. I need you to keep me on my toes and smiling. :)

    I agree that is one woman who in her simple ways found a method for changing the world . . . anyone who disagrees has to explain why everyone knows her name. :)

  9. January 30th, 2008 at 7:57 pm
    LAKSHMANAN M P said

    A GREAT REALITY. IT WAS ONE OF MY GREAT STUDENT WHO DID BROUGHTINTO MY ATTENTION. THERE IS NOTHING MORE THAN IT TO REALIZE IN LIFE.

    WITH PRAYS , LAKSHMANAN M P, LECTURER IN COMMERCE, GOVT COLLEGE CHITTUR, PALAKKAD,KERALA,INDIA

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