Florence Nightingale

Nursing pioneer

Modern influential 101 sayings

Sayings by Florence Nightingale

The craving for sympathy from others is a great weakness, for it makes us dependent upon them.

Undated, likely early career — Private notes, cited in biography
Humorous Unverifiable

I have lived, and I have loved, and I have suffered, and I have learned. And I have done what I could.

Undated, likely late in life — A reflection, often quoted, though exact source is hard to pinpoint.
Humorous Unverifiable

I am a woman, and I have a woman's heart. But I have also a man's head, and I shall use it.

Undated — Attributed, often in biographical narratives, though exact source is elusive.
Humorous Unverifiable

Women have no sympathy and my experience of women is that they are always in a muddle.

1861 — Letter to Benjamin Jowett
Humorous Unverifiable

I am much afraid of God, but I am not afraid of anything else.

1854 — Letter to her sister, Parthenope
Humorous Unverifiable

The lady with the lamp is a very pretty picture; but I am not a lady with a lamp. I am a ministering angel.

Circa 1855 — Reported by a journalist, though she disdained the 'lady with the lamp' image.
Humorous Unverifiable

I am not a believer in women's rights, but I am a believer in women's work.

1870s — Letter to a friend
Humorous Unverifiable

The nurses are all tipsy, and I am the only sober one.

1854 — Comment during her time in Crimea, reflecting the poor state of nursing.
Humorous Unverifiable

I don't think I am a genius. I am only a plodder.

1861 — Letter to Benjamin Jowett
Humorous Unverifiable

The greatest egotism is to complain of the world.

Undated — Private notes, cited in biography
Humorous Unverifiable

I am a woman of forty-three, and I have never had a day's illness in my life.

1863 — Letter to her sister, Parthenope
Humorous Unverifiable

I can stand anything but being idle.

1850s — Letter to her family
Humorous Unverifiable

It is not what we add to the world, but what we take away from it that makes us great.

Undated — Private notes, cited in biography
Humorous Unverifiable

The best way to get things done is to stop talking and start doing.

Undated — A common maxim attributed to her, though exact source is hard to pinpoint.
Humorous Unverifiable

I am not an angel, I am a woman, and I have a woman's weaknesses.

1860s — Letter to a friend, reflecting on her public image.
Humorous Unverifiable

The greatest misfortune of mankind is that they do not know how to be happy.

Undated — Private notes, cited in biography
Humorous Unverifiable

I had a dream that I was a nurse, and I was very happy.

1840s — Entry in her diary, reflecting her early aspirations.
Humorous Unverifiable

The greatest sin is to be useless.

Undated — Private notes, cited in biography
Humorous Unverifiable

I am not afraid of the difficulties, for I know that I can overcome them.

1860s — Letter to a colleague
Humorous Unverifiable

The world is not a place to be enjoyed, but a place to be improved.

Undated — Private notes, cited in biography
Humorous Unverifiable