better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness

Alternative forms

 * better to light one candle than to curse the darkness
 * better to light one small candle than to curse the darkness
 * better to light a candle than to curse the darkness

Etymology
Often claimed to be an ancient Chinese proverb. Also often misattributed to Eleanor Roosevelt. Earliest known usage is a 1907 sermon by English preacher William Lonsdale Watkinson.

Proverb

 * 1) 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.

Translations

 * Chinese:
 * Mandarin: 與其詛咒黑暗，不如點燃一根蠟燭
 * Finnish: marjakin on poimittava maasta
 * Portuguese: em vez de amaldiçoar a escuridão, é melhor acender uma vela
 * Spanish: es mejor encender una sola vela que maldecir a la penumbra
 * Turkish: karanlığa söveceğine bir mum yak