Princess Diana of Wales left the world too soon when she perished in a car accident on August 31, 1997. During her brief tenure here, she was able to inspire the world. Her legacy lives on in her two sons, Princes William and Harry. While we don’t know all the ins and outs of royal life, these two men seem to have grown into their unique roles. Part of that was the influence and endless love of their mother.
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We took time to explore some of the quotes left in Diana’s wake because they continue to inspire us to be better people. The underlying message in Princess Diana’s legacy is one of kindness, compassion, and understanding for those who are less fortunate. Her quotes still carry a timeless message, more than 25 years after her death. We hope you like our selection of what we feel are her best quotes.
1. “I am not a political figure, I am a humanitarian figure, always was, always will be.”
No matter what the rigors of royal life called for, Diana was always there for the underserved people. She conducted charity drives, helped to feed the homeless, and always had a smile and a kind word to offer.
2. “Nothing brings me more happiness than trying to help the most vulnerable people in society. It is a goal and an essential part of my life—a kind of destiny.”
Diana was constantly seeking out the downtrodden and attempting to brighten their lives. Perhaps it was a selfish endeavor, as this quote seems to suggest, to bring happiness to her own troubled life. It matters not, as in her travels, she was an uplifting powerhouse fighting for those with less.
3. “Anywhere I see suffering, that is where I want to be, doing what I can.”
This was who Diana was. A warrior fighting to end suffering. She stayed active during her tenure in the royal family and even after her divorce from Prince Charles. She was an example we can all follow.
4. “Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.”
Any random act of kindness. This doesn’t have to be monetary in nature. Smile at a stranger. Hold a door open. Allow someone with one item to cut in front of you in the grocery line. Leave your quarter in the Aldi cart for the next shopper. Small kindnesses multiply into huge actions over time. The cumulative effect can have a positive influence on your own life, too.
5. “I don’t go by the rule book… I lead from the heart, not the head.”
Who needs rules? When you follow your heart, you will be led in the best direction. While some rules aren’t negotiable, the overall message in this quote is to be discerning when determining whether the “rule book” is offering the right solution for the circumstances.
6. “Whoever is in distress can call on me. I will come running wherever they are.”
And she did. Through her charity foundations and volunteer work, Princess Diana helped more people than we will ever know.
7. “I live for my sons. I would be lost without them.” and “Family is the most important thing in the world.”
This one is actually two separate quotes, but they convey an important message: Family. There is no stronger bond. Diana lived for her sons beyond all else. She nurtured them and taught them to be compassionate and caring. Despite the constraints of royalty, she raised her two sons to understand the plight of regular, hum-drum citizens. They were raised with a sense of family.
8. “The greatest problem in the world today is intolerance. Everyone is so intolerant of each other.”
This is still a reigning problem in the world. Whether it is people intolerant of those from a different culture or anything in general. Our world is a place we must share with others. To make that work, we must be tolerant and accepting of differences.
9. “The biggest disease the world suffers from in this day and age is the disease of people feeling unloved.”
When was the last time you got a hug or someone told you they loved you? Many people suffer from depression caused by an overwhelming feeling of being unloved. Love is not something you have to reserve for that special someone in your life. You can love your neighbor, love your children, love your coworkers. Love is a universal language that knows no bounds.
10. “I want to do, not just to be.”
Princess Diana lived this quote every day of her life. She went out, and she acted, rather than sitting in the palace being the Princess of Wales. She could have sat out on a lot of volunteering and charitable work, but she didn’t. That wasn’t who she was. We can take a lesson from this last quote and make changes in our own lives. Go out and do.
Whether you follow the royal family or not, there is no denying that Princess Diana left the world a better place. As you go about your day, remember her legacy and everlasting message. Just. Be. Nice.
You can find the source of this story’s featured image here and here.
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