Others are writing my biography, and let it rest as they elect to make it. I have lived my life, well and ill, always less well than I wanted it to be but it is, as it is, and as it has been; so small a thing, to have had so much about it! Clara Barton More Quotes by Clara Barton More Quotes From Clara Barton You must never so much think as whether you like it or not, whether it is bearable or not; you must never think of anything except the need, and how to meet it. Clara Barton nursing needs thinking I may be compelled to face danger, but never fear it, and while our soldiers can stand and fight, I can stand and feed and nurse them. Clara Barton nursing military war It irritates me to be told how things have always been done. I defy the tyranny of precedent. I cannot afford the luxury of a closed mind. Clara Barton nursing luxury nurse The door that nobody else will go in at, seems always to swing open widely for me. Clara Barton nursing swings doors I have an almost complete disregard of precedent, and a faith in the possibility of something better. It irritates me to be told how things have always been done. I defy the tyranny of precedent. I go for anything new that might improve the past. Clara Barton nursing success past The Red Cross in its nature, it aims and purposes, and consequently, its methods, is unlike any other organization in the country.It is an organization of physical action, of instantaneous action, at the spur of the moment; it cannot await the ordinary deliberation of organized bodies if it would be of use to suffering humanity,[ellipsis in original] it has by its nature a field of its own. Clara Barton organization humanity country I may sometimes be willing to teach for nothing, but if paid at all, I shall never do a man's work for less than a man's pay. Clara Barton may pay men If I were to speak of war, it would not be to show you the glories of conquering armies but the mischief and misery they strew in their tracks; and how, while they marched on with tread of iron and plumes proudly tossing in the breeze, some one must follow closely in their steps, crouching to the earth, toiling in the rain and darkness, shelterless themselves, with no thought of pride or glory, fame or praise, or reward; hearts breaking with pity, faces bathed in tears and hands in blood. This is the side which history never shows. Clara Barton rain heart war Offering a hand up is not a hand-out. Clara Barton hands-up offering hands This conflict is one thing I've been waiting for. I'm well and strong and young - young enough to go to the front. If I can't be a soldier, I'll help soldiers. Clara Barton strong soldier waiting Although its growth may seem to have been slow, it is to be remembered that it is not a shrub, or plant, to shoot up in the summerand wither in the frosts. The Red Cross is a part of us--it has come to stay--and like the sturdy oak, its spreading branches shall yet encompass and shelter the relief of the nation. Clara Barton relief frost growth Everybody's business is nobody's business, and nobody's business is my business. Clara Barton american-red-cross unique inspirational While soldiers can stand and fight.I can fight and feed them Clara Barton i-can fighting soldier I have never worked for fame or praise, and shall not feel their loss as I otherwise would. I have never for a moment lost sight of the humble life I was born to, its small environments, and the consequently little right I had to expect much of myself, and shall have the less to censure, or upbraid myself with for the failures I must see myself make. Clara Barton failure humility humble People should not say that this or that is not worth learning, giving as their reason that it will not be put to use. They can no more know what information they will need in the future than they will know the weather two hundred years from today. Clara Barton weather two years The surest test of discipline is its absence. Clara Barton discipline tests teaching What could I do but go with them Civil War soldiers, or work for them and my country? The patriot blood of my father was warm in my veins. Clara Barton war country father A ball had passed between my body and the right arm which supported him, cutting through the sleeve and passing through his chest from shoulder to shoulder. There was no more to be done for him and I left him to his rest. I have never mended that hole in my sleeve. Clara Barton cutting body done The patriot blood of my father was warm in my veins. Clara Barton patriotism father blood I founded the American Red Cross. Clara Barton american-red-cross red crosses
