Please help me out who said there are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that recieves it. Please tell me the author and what it means.

Thanks

Methinks, what the writer actually refers by the light can be any positive aspect of life, be it knowledge, kindness, even love. What the quote means is that you can always spread this positivity of life, and it doesnt need you to be one who causes it, it spreads even if someonelse has it for you and you reflect it back to them. I am not sure who wrote it, still trying to locate that for you. Thats bout it...
Cheers,
D_w

Fear brings sanity, yes the brave are very much insane.

There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.
--Edith Wharton (1862-1937), Vesalius in Zante

We must learn to love life without ever trusting it. G.K. Chesterton
Where are we going? And why are we in this handbasket?

Nicely done, Viktoria. This quote has been discussed a few times but I don't recall ever seeing a source for it.
http://forum.quoteland.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=586192041&f=099191541&m=2191927985
http://forum.quoteland.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=586192041&f=099191541&m=260196515&r=484196515#484196515

For thus I read the meaning of this end:
There are two ways of spreading light; to be
The candle or the mirror that reflects it.
I let my wick burn out -- there yet remains
To spread an answering surface to the flame
That others kindle.
~ "Vesalius in Zante. (1564)" North American Review 175 (Nov. 1902): 625-31. BY EDITH WHARTON
Found via
http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/WhaVers.html