ProverbChallenge
English origin1907
English origin1907It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness
Meaning: Taking constructive action is more effective than complaining about a problem.
Often credited to: Chinese tradition, but it was first printed by the English preacher William L. Watkinson, 1907
Origin: Often called an ancient Chinese proverb, but the earliest known version is in a sermon by the English preacher William L. Watkinson, printed in 1907: "Yet is it far better to light the candle than to curse the darkness." The sermon was reprinted that year in a China missionary magazine, which may explain the Chinese label. Father James Keller later made it the motto of his Christophers movement.
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