I know the compassion of others is a relief at first. I don’t despise it. But it can’t quench pain, it slips through your soul as through a sieve. And when our suffering has been dragged from one pity to another, as from one mouth to another, we can no longer respect or love it.
—Georges Bernanos (1888–1948) French Author
I have found men to be more kind than I expected, and less just.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist, Biographer, Poet, Writer, Literary Critic
Compassion is sometimes the fatal capacity for feeling what it is like to live inside somebody else’s skin. It is the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you too.
—Frederick Buechner (b.1926) American Presbyterian Clergyman, Novelist, Short Story Writer, Essayist, Theologian
You can’t shake hands with a clenched fist.
—Indira Gandhi (1917–84) Indian Head of State, Politician
Kindness causes us to learn, and to forget, many things.
—Sophie Swetchine (1782–1857) Russian Christian Mystic
Pleasure is a reciprocal; no one feels it who does not at the same time give it. To be pleased, one must please.
—Earl of Chesterfield
The greatest happiness in the world is to make others happy.
—Luther Burbank (1849–1926) American Botanist, Scientist
Good humor is a tonic for mind and body. It is the best antidote for anxiety and depression. It is a business asset. It attracts and keeps friends. It lightens human burdens. It is the direct route to serenity and contentment.
—Grenville Kleiser (1868–1935) Canadian Author
Caring is a reflex. Someone slips, your arm goes out. A car is in the ditch, you join the others and push…You live, you help.
—Ram Dass (b.1931) American Hindu Teacher, Author
When you are kind to someone in trouble, you hope they’ll remember and be kind to someone else. And it’ll become like a wildfire.
—Whoopi Goldberg (b.1955) American Comedian, Actor, Musician, Political Activist, TV Personality
If every man’s internal care Were written on his brow, How many would our pity share Who raise our envy now?
—Metastasio (1698–1782) Italian Poet, Librettist
We’re here for a reason. I believe a bit of the reason is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark.
—Whoopi Goldberg (b.1955) American Comedian, Actor, Musician, Political Activist, TV Personality
It is the individual who is not interested in his fellow men who has the greatest difficulties in life and provides the greatest injury to others. It is from among such individuals that all human failures spring.
—Alfred Adler (1870–1937) Austrian Psychologist, Psychiatrist
The happiness of life may be greatly increased by small courtesies in which there is no parade, whose voice is too still to tease, and which manifest themselves by tender and affectionate looks, and little kind acts of attention.
—Laurence Sterne (1713–68) Irish Anglican Novelist, Clergyman
What’s the use of doing a kindness, if you do it a day too late.
—Charles Kingsley (1819–75) English Clergyman, Academic, Historian, Novelist
Win hearts, and you have all men’s hands and purses.
—William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley (1521–98) English Political leader
Care is a state in which something does matter; it is the source of human tenderness.
—Rollo May (1909–94) American Philosopher
For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.
—Audrey Hepburn (1929–93) Belgian-born British Actor, Humanitarian
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.
—The 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935) Tibetan Buddhist Religious Leader, Civil Rights Leader, Philosopher, Author
A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you, and were helped by you, will remember you when forget-me-nots are withered. Carve your name on hearts, and not on marble.
—Charles Spurgeon (1834–92) British Baptist Preacher, Theologian, Hymn writer
Love all. Serve all. Help ever. Hurt never.
—Sathya Sai Baba (1926–2011) Indian Hindu Religious Leader
If there is any kindness I can show, or any
good thing I can do to any fellow being, let
me do it now, and not deter or neglect it, as
I shall not pass this way again.
—William Penn (1644–1718) American Entrepreneur, Political leader, Philosopher
The habit of being uniformly considerate toward others will bring increased happiness to you.
—Grenville Kleiser (1868–1935) Canadian Author
Kindness is more important than wisdom, and the recognition of
this is the beginning of wisdom.
—Theodore Isaac Rubin (b.1923) American Psychiatrist, Author
The most satisfying thing in life is to have been able to give a large part of oneself to others.
—Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (1881–1955) French Jesuit Philosopher, Priest, Paleontologist, Geologist
Kind words are a creative force, a power that concurs in the building up of all that is good, and energy that showers blessings upon the world.
—Lawrence G. Lovasik
If we could all hear one another’s prayers, God might be relieved of some of his burdens.
—Ashleigh Brilliant (b.1933) British Cartoonist, Author
I soothe my conscience now with the thought that it is better for hard words to be on paper than that Mummy should carry them in her heart.
—Anne Frank (1929–45) German Holocaust Victim
The mortal sickness of a mind too unhappy to be kind.
—A. E. Housman (1859–1936) British Poet, Scholar
The center of human nature is rooted in ten thousand ordinary acts of kindness that define our days.
—Stephen Jay Gould (1941–2002) American Paleontology, Biologist, Historian, Academic
Waste no more time talking about great souls and how they should be. Become one yourself!
—Marcus Aurelius Antoninus Augustus (121–80)
The drying up a single tear has more of honest fame, than shedding seas of gore.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824)
The weak can’t forgive. Forgiveness is of the strong.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader, Philosopher, Civil Rights Activist
We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.
—Marian Wright Edelman (b.1939) American Civil Regrets Advocate, Humanitarian, Lawyer
I have sped much by land, and sea, and mingled with much people, but never yet could find a spot unsunned by human kindness.
—Martin Farquhar Tupper (1810–89) English Poet, Writer
The sense that some one else cares always helps because it is the sense of love.
—George Edward Woodberry (1855–1930) American Literary Critic, Poet
There are no traffic jams on the extra mile.
—Zig Ziglar (b.1926) American Author, Motivational Speaker, Author
How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright, Poet, Author
The purpose of human life is to serve and show compassion and the will to help others.
—Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French Theologian, Musician, Philosopher, Physician
Let us not underestimate how hard it is to be compassionate. Compassion is hard because it requires the inner disposition to go with others to the place where they are weak, vulnerable, lonely, and broken. But this is not our spontaneous response to suffering. What we desire most is to do away with suffering by fleeing from it or finding a quick cure for it. As busy, active, relevant ministers, we want to earn our bread by making a real contribution. This means first and foremost doing something to show that our presence makes a difference. And so we ignore our greatest gift, which is our ability to enter into solidarity with those who suffer. Those who can sit in silence with their fellowman, not knowing what to say but knowing that they should be there, can bring new life in a dying heart. Those who are not afraid to hold a hand in gratitude, to shed tears in grief and to let a sigh of distress arise straight from the heart can break through paralyzing boundaries and witness the birth of a new fellowship, the fellowship of the broken.
—Henri Nouwen (1932–96) Dutch Catholic Priest, Writer, Theologian
The time is always right to do what?s right.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
With a sweet tongue and kindness, you can drag an elephant by a hair.
—Persian Proverb
I believe that man will not merely endure; he will prevail. He is immortal, not because he alone among the creatures has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a spirit capable of kindness and compassion.
—William Faulkner (1897–1962) American Novelist, Short Story Writer
Being considerate of others will take your children further in life than any college degree.
—Marian Wright Edelman (b.1939) American Civil Regrets Advocate, Humanitarian, Lawyer
Civility costs nothing, and buys everything.
—Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (1689–1762) English Aristocrat, Poet, Novelist, Writer
Although I may not be a lioness, I am a lion’s cub, and inherit many of his qualities; and as long as the King of France treats me gently he will find me as gentle and tractable as he can desire; but if he be rough, I shall take the trouble to be just as troublesome and offensive to him as I can.
—Elizabeth I of England (1533–1603) British Monarch
The everyday kindness of the back roads more than makes up for the acts of greed in the headlines.
—Charles Kuralt (1934–97) American Journalist, TV Personality
To err is human, to forgive divine.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet, Translator
It is enough that I am of value to somebody today.
—Hugh Prather (1938–2010) American Christian Author, Minister, Counselor
The human being who lives only for himself finally reaps nothing but unhappiness. Selfishness corrodes. Unselfishness ennobles, satisfies. Don’t put off the joy derivable from doing helpful, kindly things for others.
—B. C. Forbes (1880–1954) Scottish-born American Journalist, Publisher
In all the affairs of life, social as well as political, courtesies of a small and trivial character are the ones which strike deepest to the grateful and appreciating heart.
—Henry Clay
Who is the happiest of men? He who values the merits of others, and in their pleasure takes joy, even as though it were his own.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet, Novelist, Playwright, Philosopher
Look up and not down, look forward and not back, look out and not in, and lend a hand!
—Edward Everett Hale (1822–1909) American Unitarian Clergyman
The golden rule is of no use whatsoever unless you realize that it is your move.
—Frank Hall Crane
Be nice and smile to everyone you meet.
You don’t know what they are going through,
and they may need that smile. And treasure it.
—Christine Huppert
If you stop to be kind, you must swerve often from your path.
—Mary Webb (1881–1927) English Novelist, Poet, Writer
Little deeds of kindness,|little words of love,|make our earth an Eden,|like the heaven above.
—Julia Abigail Fletcher Carney (1823–1908) American Educator, Poet
There’s good in everybody. Boost. Don’t knock.
—Warren G. Harding (1865–1923) American Head of State, Businessperson
Live in my heart and pay no rent.
—Samuel Lover (1797–1868) Irish Songwriter, Novelist, Painter
Kindness is wisdom.
—Philip James Bailey (1816–1902) English Poet
In the intercourse of social life, it is by little acts of watchful kindness recurring daily and hourly, by words, tones, gestures, looks, that affection is won and preserved.
—George Augustus Henry Sala (1828–95) British Journalist
We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
A kind and compassionate act is often its own reward.
—William Bennett (b.1943) American Politician, Political Theorist, Government Official
Getting money is not all a man’s business; to cultivate kindness is a valuable part of the business of life.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist, Biographer, Poet, Writer, Literary Critic
To be able to practice five things everywhere under heaven constitutes perfect virtue… gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness, and kindness.
—Confucius (551BCE–479BCE) Chinese Philosopher, Religious Leader
Fair and softly goes far.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist, Poet, Playwright
When you rise in the morning, form a resolution to make the day a happy one for a fellow creature.
—Sydney Smith (1771–1845) English Anglican Writer, Critic
Kindness, I’ve discovered, is everything in life.
—Isaac Bashevis Singer (1902–91) Polish-born American Children’s Books Writer, Novelist, Short Story Writer
In faith and hope the world will disagree, but all mankind’s concern is charity.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet, Translator
Caring about others, running the risk of feeling, and leaving an impact on people, brings happiness.
—Harold Kushner (b.1935) American Jewish Religious Leader, Priest
Giving is the secret of a healthy life. Not necessarily money, but whatever a person has of encouragement, sympathy and understanding.
—John D. Rockefeller, Jr. (1874–1960) American Philanthropist, Businessperson
Politeness costs nothing and gains everything.
—Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (1689–1762) English Aristocrat, Poet, Novelist, Writer
The worst prison is a closed heart.
—Pope John Paul II (1920–2005) Polish Catholic Religious Leader
Wise sayings often fall on barren ground, but a kind word is never thrown away.
—Arthur Helps (1813–75) English Dramatist, Essayist
Biblical orthodoxy without compassion is surely the ugliest thing in the world.
—Francis Schaeffer (1912–84) American Presbyterian Religious Leader, Theologian, Philosopher