better to light one candle than to curse the darkness

A form of better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness — Even in the face of hopelessness and discontent, it is more worthwhile to do some good, however small, in response, than to complain about the situation.

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Meanings

proverb
  1. alternativeAlternative form of better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.
Cite this entry
APA

better to light one candle than to curse the darkness. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/better%20to%20light%20one%20candle%20than%20to%20curse%20the%20darkness

MLA

“better to light one candle than to curse the darkness.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/better%20to%20light%20one%20candle%20than%20to%20curse%20the%20darkness. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “better to light one candle than to curse the darkness,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/better%20to%20light%20one%20candle%20than%20to%20curse%20the%20darkness.

Source: better to light one candle than to curse the darkness on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.