Who said “It is more noble to give yourself completely to one individual than to labor diligently…”?

Disputed

It's credited to Dag Hammarskjold, but no reliable source from their lifetime has been found.

What the research foundNo reliable early source found for Dag Hammarskjold.

Evidence: Wikiquote · How we check

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“It is more noble to give yourself completely to one individual than to labor diligently for the salvation of the masses.”
— Dag Hammarskjold
DisputedNo reliable early source found for Dag Hammarskjold. · evidenceApproval

Cite this quote

APA

“It is more noble to give yourself completely to one individual than to labor diligently for the salvation of the masses.” [Quotation attributed to Dag Hammarskjold]. (n.d.). Famous Quotations Network. Retrieved October 24, 2026, from https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/6622-it-is-more-noble-to-give-yourself-completely/

MLA

“It is more noble to give yourself completely to one individual than to labor diligently for the salvation of the masses.” Attributed to Dag Hammarskjold. Famous Quotations Network, https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/6622-it-is-more-noble-to-give-yourself-completely/. Accessed 24 Oct. 2026.

Chicago

“It is more noble to give yourself completely to one individual than to labor diligently for the salvation of the masses.” Attributed to Dag Hammarskjold. Famous Quotations Network. Accessed October 24, 2026. https://www.famous-quotations.com/quotes/6622-it-is-more-noble-to-give-yourself-completely/.

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“Life only demands from you the strength you possess. Only one feat is possible — not to have run away.”
VerifiedVägmärken · Markings (1963), 1925–1930 · evidenceDetails & citeCourage
“Your cravings as a human animal do not become a prayer just because it is God whom you ask to attend to them.”
VerifiedVägmärken · Markings (1963), 1941–1942 · evidenceDetails & citePrayer
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