Throughout the world, there was a joint feeling of grief at the start of October 2025, when Jane Goodall sadly passed away at the age of 91. Jane Goodall was perhaps most commonly known for her six decades of Chimpanzee study in Tanzania, living amongst them to learn about their social and family lives.
Whilst there are too many to mention in one post, we will take a look at some of Goodall’s most poignant quotes on nature, motivation, and life.
To reconnect with nature is key if we want to save the planet.
Jane Goodall
In one of Jane Goodall’s books, “The Book of Hope“, this quote has been taken and shared many times across social media and other publications. Simply put, this quote is interpreted as meaning if you do not take the time to engage and immerse yourself in nature, you are unlikely to have a strong desire to support the environment and henceforth the planet. If you find yourself with not as much passion as others for slowing down the effects of climate change and global warming, perhaps a weekend away in the countryside or supporting wildlife would bolster your feelings towards it.
There is a powerful force unleashed when young people resolve to make a change.
Jane Goodall
Highly encouraging for our younger readers, this quote is heavily tied to her founded program, “Roots and Shoots“, which aims to encourage the younger generation to become conservation leaders. Jane Goodall was supportive of educating and motivating the next generations to take an interest and stand up for the planet, leaving a powerful legacy in her wake.
The Roots and Shoots program is now operating in over 100 countries.
The least I can do is speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.
Jane Goodall
This quote is perfect for those seeking a sense of purpose or wanting to find a way to be inspirational to others. Jane Goodall believed that speaking up for animals, those who are mistreated or killed, was the minimum she could do during her time on Earth. This quote appears in Animal Rights: Opposing Viewpoints (Janelle Rohr, ed.), 1989 and the longer version of this quote is below;
“The least I can do is speak out for the hundreds of chimpanzees who, right now, sit hunched, miserable and without hope, staring out with dead eyes from their metal prisons. They cannot speak for themselves.”
The greatest danger to our future is apathy.
Jane Goodall
Published in the Jane Goodall Institute, this quote is an abridged version of the following quote: “The Greatest Danger to Our Future is Apathy for Endangered Species”. Whilst of course primarily directed at efforts for conservation, it is a quote that can be used for anyone to consider the impact of going through life without clear goals, emotion, and direction. Whether you’re a keen conservationist or are simply seeking your next ambitions in life, seeking outlined goals and enthusiasm for what you do is a key way to move forward.
What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.
Jane Goodall
One of Jane Goodall’s most widely shared quotes, this line comes from her book Reason for Hope: A Spiritual Journey (1999). It perfectly sums up her life philosophy, that each of us, no matter how small our actions may seem, has the power to influence change. Whether in environmental activism, kindness to others, or daily decision-making, this quote is a reminder that personal responsibility and awareness can contribute to wider impacts.
Only if we understand, can we care.
Jane Goodall
Only if we care, will we help.
Only if we help, shall they be saved.
This quote, taken from Jane Goodall: 40 Years at Gombe (1999), and repeated on her own website, captures the emotional core of her conservation message. It expresses the step-by-step connection between knowledge, empathy and action, a chain that Goodall devoted her life to strengthening. Her research on chimpanzees wasn’t just scientific; it was rooted in compassion and a belief that understanding the natural world is the first step toward protecting it.
Jane Goodall’s words continue to inspire people of all ages to protect, care, and act. Her legacy reaches far beyond her research on Chimpanzees; it reminds us that compassion, curiosity, and courage are at the heart of meaningful change. Whether you’re taking small steps to help the planet, encouraging others to do the same, or simply trying to find more meaning in life, her message is clear: every action matters.
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