Who said “With all humility, I think, ''Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.''…”?

Verified

Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.. A published source records them saying or writing it.

SourceSpeech to the Bar Association of Boston, in Speeches (1913), p. 85.

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

Source checked · Something wrong? Report a correction

“With all humility, I think, ''Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.'' Infinitely more important than the vain attempt to love one's neighbor as one's self. If you want to hit a bird on the wing, you must have all your will in focus, you must not be thinking about yourself, and equally, you must not be thinking about your neighbor: you must be living in your eye on that bird. Every achievement is a bird on the wing.”
VerifiedSpeech to the Bar Association of Boston, in Speeches (1913), p. 85. · evidenceHumility

Cite this quote

For academic work, cite the original where you can: Speech to the Bar Association of Boston, in Speeches (1913), p. 85..

APA

Holmes, O. W. J. (n.d.). With all humility, I think, ''Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.'' Infinitely more important than the vain attempt to love one's neighbor as one's self. If you want to hit a bird on the wing, you must have all your will in focus, you must not be thinking about yourself, and equally, you must not be thinking about your neighbor: you must be living in your eye on that bird. Every achievement is a bird on the wing. [Quotation]. Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/21338-with-all-humility-i-think-whatsoever-thy-hand/

MLA

Holmes, Oliver Wendell Jr. “With all humility, I think, ''Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.'' Infinitely more important than the vain attempt to love one's neighbor as one's self. If you want to hit a bird on the wing, you must have all your will in focus, you must not be thinking about yourself, and equally, you must not be thinking about your neighbor: you must be living in your eye on that bird. Every achievement is a bird on the wing.” Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/21338-with-all-humility-i-think-whatsoever-thy-hand/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

Holmes, Oliver Wendell Jr. “With all humility, I think, ''Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.'' Infinitely more important than the vain attempt to love one's neighbor as one's self. If you want to hit a bird on the wing, you must have all your will in focus, you must not be thinking about yourself, and equally, you must not be thinking about your neighbor: you must be living in your eye on that bird. Every achievement is a bird on the wing.” Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/21338-with-all-humility-i-think-whatsoever-thy-hand/.