It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness

Meaning: Taking constructive action is more effective than complaining about a problem.

Origin: Ancient Chinese proverb, popularized in the West by Eleanor Roosevelt in the 20th century.

Translations

• French: Il vaut mieux allumer une bougie que de maudire l'obscurité (literally: It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness)
• Spanish: Es mejor encender una vela que maldecir la oscuridad (literally: It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness)
• Japanese: 暗闇を呪うより、ろうそくに火を灯せ (Kurayami wo norou yori, rōsoku ni hi wo tomose) (literally: Rather than cursing the darkness, light a candle)

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