Quote of the day by Mother Teresa: 'There is more hunger in the world for love and appreciation in this world than...' Powerful life lessons from inspiring quote on loneliness, compassion, kindness, humanity, love, physical sustenance, emotional and spiritual nourishment

Quote of the day by Mother Teresa reminds people that emotional and spiritual needs are as important as food. The quote explains how love, appreciation and kindness can reduce loneliness and help build stronger relationships. It also highlights Mo...

Agencies
Quote of the day by Mother Teresa: Mother Teresa believed love, appreciation and compassion are as important as physical sustenance. Mother Teresa once said: "There is more hunger in the world for love and appreciation than for bread."
Quote of the day by Mother Teresa continues to inspire people across the world with a simple message about love and human connection. The famous quote, "There is more hunger in the world for love and appreciation than for bread," reminds us that people need emotional support along with physical sustenance. While food is necessary for survival, every person also wants care, respect and acceptance. Mother Teresa believed that acts of kindness, compassion and appreciation could change lives. Her words remain meaningful because they encourage people to care for others, strengthen relationships and build a society where no one feels forgotten or alone.

Quote of the day today

Mother Teresa once said:

"There is more hunger in the world for love and appreciation than for bread."


This quote explains that people suffer not only because they lack food but also because they feel ignored, unwanted or unloved. Physical hunger can often be seen, but emotional pain usually remains hidden.

Many people have enough food, clothes and shelter but still struggle with loneliness. They may feel that nobody values or understands them. Mother Teresa believed this kind of suffering deserves equal attention. Her message asks people to look beyond material needs and understand the importance of emotional and spiritual nourishment.

Quote by Mother Teresa: Meaning and relevance

The quote remains relevant because modern life often leaves people feeling disconnected despite constant communication through technology.

ADVERTISEMENT
Its meaning can be understood in different ways:

  • Love is a basic human need.
  • Appreciation helps people feel valued.
  • Kind words can improve someone's day.
  • Listening carefully is an act of care.
  • Respect builds stronger relationships.
  • Emotional support improves mental well-being.
  • Compassion creates trust between people.
  • Every person deserves kindness regardless of their background.

The quote reminds people that emotional and spiritual poverty can hurt as much as physical poverty.

Life lessons from the quote

Mother Teresa's words offer several lessons that people can follow every day.

Emotional nourishment is important

People need more than food to live meaningful lives. They also need encouragement, acceptance and emotional support. Feeling appreciated can improve confidence and reduce loneliness.
ADVERTISEMENT

Begin with family and friends

Mother Teresa often said that love should begin at home. Showing appreciation to parents, children, partners, relatives and friends creates stronger families and communities. Simple actions inside the home can make a lasting difference.

Small acts have lasting value

Helping others does not always require money or large efforts.
ADVERTISEMENT

Simple actions include:

  • Saying thank you.
  • Listening without interrupting.
  • Offering help.
  • Checking on someone who feels lonely.
  • Smiling at others.
  • Speaking with respect.

These small gestures can make another person feel important.

Give without expecting anything back

Mother Teresa believed kindness should not depend on receiving rewards. Helping people without expecting praise creates healthier relationships and builds trust within communities.

Why emotional and spiritual nourishment matters?

Food supports the body, but love and appreciation support the mind and emotions. People who feel respected often develop stronger relationships with family, friends and colleagues. On the other hand, people who feel ignored may experience loneliness and isolation. The quote encourages everyone to notice those who may quietly need emotional support. Offering time, attention and understanding can make a difference.

Who was Mother Teresa?

Mother Teresa was born as Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in 1910 in Skopje, then part of the Ottoman Empire and now in the Republic of North Macedonia. She belonged to an ethnic Albanian family. In 1928, she travelled to Ireland and joined the Sisters of Loreto at the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Only a few weeks later, she travelled to India to begin teaching. After taking her religious vows, she chose the name Teresa in honour of St. Thérèse of Lisieux. She worked as a teacher for 17 years at a Loreto school in Calcutta, now Kolkata.

The beginning of her mission

In 1946, Mother Teresa experienced what she described as a "call within a call." She believed God wanted her to leave teaching and dedicate her life to serving poor and sick people. She moved into poor neighbourhoods in Kolkata.

In 1948, she founded the Missionaries of Charity after receiving permission to begin her work. The organisation focused on caring for people who were poor, sick, abandoned and dying. Soon, volunteers joined her efforts. The organisation also started schools and medical centres.

Growth of the Missionaries of Charity

The Missionaries of Charity received official recognition from Pope Pius XII in 1950. In 1952, Mother Teresa established Nirmal Hriday, a hospice where people with terminal illnesses could receive care and die with dignity.

The organisation also opened centres for:

  • Elderly people.
  • Blind people.
  • People with disabilities.
  • People affected by leprosy.

She also helped establish Shanti Nagar, a community for people living with leprosy near Asansol in India. The Missionaries of Charity later expanded across the world. At the time of her death, the organisation operated hundreds of centres in more than 90 countries with around 4,000 nuns and hundreds of thousands of lay workers.

Awards and recognition

Mother Teresa received many honours during her lifetime.

Some of the major recognitions include:

  • Padma Shri in 1962.
  • Pope John XXIII Peace Prize in 1971.
  • Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.
  • Bharat Ratna in 1980.

These awards recognised her work in serving poor and vulnerable people.

Her later years and canonization

Mother Teresa experienced health problems in her later years, including a heart attack in 1989. She resigned as head of the Missionaries of Charity in 1990 but was returned to the position after members voted for her to continue.

In 1997, Sister Nirmala became her successor. Mother Teresa died on September 5, 1997, in Kolkata. The process to declare her a saint began soon after her death. She was beatified on October 19, 2003. On September 4, 2016, Pope Francis canonized her as St. Teresa of Calcutta.

Her private struggle with faith

After Mother Teresa's death, letters published in 2007 revealed that she experienced spiritual darkness for many years. Although she remained committed to serving others, she often wrote about feeling distant from God's presence. Despite these personal struggles, she continued her mission and never stopped helping people. Her letters showed that faith can exist even during periods of doubt.

Why this quote still matters?

Mother Teresa's words remain meaningful because people continue to seek love, acceptance and appreciation.

The quote reminds people that:

  • Emotional needs deserve attention.
  • Kindness costs nothing.
  • Appreciation strengthens relationships.
  • Compassion improves communities.
  • Every person can help reduce loneliness.

Her message encourages people to create positive change through simple daily actions rather than waiting for major opportunities.
Download
The Economic Times Business News App
for the Latest News in Business, Sensex, Stock Market Updates & More.
Download
The Economic Times News App
for Quarterly Results, Latest News in ITR, Business, Share Market, Live Sensex News & More.
READ MORE
ADVERTISEMENT

READ MORE:

LOGIN & CLAIM

50 TIMESPOINTS

More from our Partners

Loading next story
Business News › News › International › US News › Quote of the day by Mother Teresa: 'There is more hunger in the world for love and appreciation in this world than...' Powerful life lessons from inspiring quote on loneliness, compassion, kindness, humanity, love, physical sustenance, emotional and spiritual nourishment
Text Size:AAA
Success
This article has been saved

*

+