Satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment. Full effort is full victory.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Right actions for the future are the best apologies for wrong ones in the past — the best evidence of regret for them that we can offer, or the world receive.
—Tryon Edwards American Theologian
I don’t care how much you know until I know how much you care.
—Unknown
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 Psychiatrist
One man cannot hold another man down in the ditch without remaining down in the ditch with him.
—Booker T. Washington (1856–1915) African-American Educationist
Hail thy brother’s boat across, and lo! thine own has reached the shore.
—Indian Proverb
Kindness arises by standing apart from oneself and recognizing all beings as companions on the arduous travel towards highest perfection.
—Hans Taeger
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
There is a magnet in your heart that will attract true friends. That magnet is unselfishness, thinking of others first … when you learn to live for others, they will live for you.
—Paramahansa Yogananda (1893–1952) Indian Hindu Mystic, Religious Leader, Philosopher, Teacher
The mortal sickness of a mind too unhappy to be kind.
—A. E. Housman (1859–1936) British Poet, Scholar
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
The greatest happiness in the world is to make others happy.
—Luther Burbank (1849–1926) American Botanist, Scientist
I have found men to be more kind than I expected, and less just.
—Samuel Johnson (1709–84) British Essayist
A friend in need is a friend indeed.
—Common Proverb
To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
Don’t be yourself – be someone a little nicer.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
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
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.
—Unknown
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
There is no effect more disproportionate to its cause than the happiness bestowed by a small compliment.
—Robert Brault
Always be a little kinder than necessary.
—J. M. Barrie (1860–1937) Scottish Novelist, Dramatist, Author
When you can do the common things of life in an uncommon way, you will command the attention of the world.
—George Washington Carver (1864–1943) American Scientist, Botanist, Educator, Inventor
A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.
—Joseph Joubert (1754–1824) French Essayist
Wise sayings often fall on barren ground, but a kind word is never thrown away.
—Arthur Helps (1813–75) English Dramatist, Essayist
The drying up a single tear has more of honest fame, than shedding seas of gore.
—Lord Byron (George Gordon Byron) (1788–1824) English Romantic Poet
Kind hearts are the gardens,
Kind thoughts are the roots,
Kind words are the flowers,
Kind deeds are the fruits.
Take care of your garden
And keep out the weeds,
Fill it with sunshine
Kind words and kind deeds.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
When you cease to make a contribution, you begin to die.
—Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962) American First Lady, Diplomat, Humanitarian
To err is human, to forgive divine.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
All that is human must retrograde if it does not advance.
—Edward Gibbon (1737–94) English Historian, Politician
Those who bring sunshine into the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.
—J. M. Barrie (1860–1937) Scottish Novelist, Dramatist, Author
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
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) Holocaust Victim
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
Kindness is language which the dumb can speak, and the deaf can understand.
—Christian Nestell Bovee (1820–1904) American Writer, Aphorist
Kindness is wisdom.
—Philip James Bailey (1816–1902) English Poet
The weak can’t forgive. Forgiveness is of the strong.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
What boundary ever set limits to the service of mankind?
—Claudian (c.370–c.404 CE) Roman Poet
This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.
—The 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935) Tibetan Buddhist Religious Leader, Civil Rights Leader, Philosopher, Author
Win hearts, and you have all men’s hands and purses.
—William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley (1521–98) English Political leader
We always prefer war on our own terms to peace on someone else’s.
—Mignon McLaughlin (1913–83) American Journalist, Author
One difference between savagery and civilization is a little courtesy. There’s no telling what a lot of courtesy would do.
—Cullen Hightower (b.1923) American Humorist
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
The race of mankind would perish, did they cease to aid each other. From the time that the mother binds the child’s head till the moment that some kind assistant wipes the death-damp from the brow of the dying, we cannot exist without mutual help. All, therefore, that need aid have a right to ask it from their fellow-mortals; no one who holds the power of granting can refuse it without guilt.
—Walter Scott (1771–1832) Scottish Novelist, Poet, Playwright, Lawyer
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
You can’t shake hands with a clenched fist.
—Indira Gandhi (1917–84) Indian Head of State
How easy it is for one benevolent being to diffuse pleasure around him; and how truly is a kind heart a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity to freshen into smiles!
—Washington Irving (1783–1859) American Author, Essayist, Biographer, Historian
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
Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
Live in my heart and pay no rent.
—Samuel Lover (1797–1868) Irish Songwriter, Novelist, Painter
Unless we give part of ourselves away, unless we can live with other people and understand them and help them, we are missing the most essential part of our own lives.
—Harold Taylor
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
Instinct teaches us to look for happiness outside ourselves.
—Blaise Pascal (1623–62) French Catholic Mathematician, Physicist, Inventor, Philosopher, Writer
Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest.
—Mark Twain (1835–1910) American Humorist
Biblical orthodoxy without compassion is surely the ugliest thing in the world.
—Francis Schaeffer (1912–84) American Presbyterian Religious Leader, Theologian, Philosopher
Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.
—Barbara De Angelis (b.1951) American Lecturer, Author, TV Personality, Motivational Speaker
Kindness is a language which the blind can see and the deaf can hear.
—Anonymous
Fair and softly goes far.
—Miguel de Cervantes (1547–1616) Spanish Novelist
If a man be gracious to strangers, it shows that he is a citizen of the world, and his heart is no island, cut off from other islands, but a continent that joins them.
—Francis Bacon (1561–1626) English Philosopher
He who allows his day to pass by without practicing generosity and enjoying life’s pleasures is like a blacksmith’s bellows; he breathes, but does not live.
—Indian Proverb
One of things I keep learning is that the secret of being happy is doing things for other people.
—Dick Gregory
When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace.
—The 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935) Tibetan Buddhist Religious Leader, Civil Rights Leader, Philosopher, Author
If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;
If I can ease one life the aching,
Or cool one pain,
Or help one fainting robin
Unto his nest again,
I shall not live in vain.
—Emily Dickinson (1830–86) American Poet
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
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
Civility costs nothing, and buys everything.
—Lady Mary Wortley Montagu (1689–1762) English Aristocrat, Poet, Novelist, Writer
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
One kind word can warm three winter months.
—Japanese Proverb
Kindness, I’ve discovered, is everything in life.
—Isaac Bashevis Singer (1902–91) Polish-born American Children’s Books Writer, Novelist, Short Story Writer
Remember there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.
—Scott Adams (b.1957) American Cartoonist
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
Kindness causes us to learn, and to forget, many things.
—Sophie Swetchine (1782–1857) Russian Christian Mystic
People who are unable to motivate themselves must be content with mediocrity, no matter how impressive their other talents.
—Andrew Carnegie (1835–1919) Scottish-American Industrialist
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 (1777–1852) American Politician
One can pay back the loan of gold, but one lives forever in debt to those who are kind.
—Malaysian Proverb
Politeness costs nothing and gains 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
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.
—Margaret Mead (1901–78) American Anthropologist, Social Psychologist
The time is always right to do what’s right.
—Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–68) American Civil Rights Leader, Clergyman
Rings and jewels are not gifts, but apologies for gifts. The only gift is a portion of thyself.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
A bit of fragrance always clings to the hand that gives you roses.
—Chinese Proverb
There’s good in everybody. Boost. Don’t knock.
—Warren G. Harding (1865–1923) American Head of State, Businessperson
As much as we need a prosperous economy, we also need a prosperity of kindness and decency.
—Caroline Kennedy (b.1957) American Author, Attorney
The only people with whom you should try to get even are those who have helped you.
—Mae Maloo
He gives twice who gives promptly.
—Publilius Syrus (fl.85–43 BCE) Syrian-born Roman Latin Writer
The habit of being uniformly considerate toward others will bring increased happiness to you.
—Grenville Kleiser (1868–1935) Canadian Author
An eye for an eye leaves the whole world blind.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
We not only need to be willing to give, but also to be open to receiving from others.
—Anonymous
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
There are no traffic jams on the extra mile.
—Zig Ziglar (1926–2012) American Author
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
The prudence of the best heads is often defeated by the tenderness of the best of hearts.
—Henry Fielding (1707–54) English Novelist, Dramatist
We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.
—Unknown
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
With a sweet tongue and kindness, you can drag an elephant by a hair.
—Persian Proverb
Compassion for others begins with kindness to ourselves.
—Pema Chodron (b.1936) American Buddhist Nun, Teacher
How far that little candle throws his beams! So shines a good deed in a naughty world.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
Act as though what you do makes a difference. It does.
—William James (1842–1910) American Philosopher, Psychologist, Physician
Give what you have. To someone, it may be better than you dare to think.
—Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–82) American Poet, Educator, Academic
We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.
—Epictetus (55–135) Ancient Greek Philosopher
Waste no more time talking about great souls and how they should be. Become one yourself!
—Marcus Aurelius (121–180) Emperor of Rome, Stoic Philosopher
A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.
—Anonymous
For attractive lips, speak words of kindness. For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people. For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry. For beautiful hair, let a child run his fingers through it once a day. For poise, walk with the knowledge you’ll never walk alone.
—Sam Levenson (1911–80) American Humorist, Writer, TV Personality, Journalist
Kindness is more important than wisdom, and the recognition of this is the beginning of wisdom.
—Theodore Isaac Rubin (b.1923) American Psychiatrist, Author
As the purse is emptied, the heart is filled.
—Victor Hugo (1802–85) French Novelist
The golden rule is of no use whatsoever unless you realize that it is your move.
—Frank Hall Crane
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
Make it a practice to judge persons and things in the most favorable light at all times and under all circumstances.
—Vincent de Paul (1581–1660) French Catholic Saint
What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?
—George Eliot (Mary Anne Evans) (1819–80) English Novelist
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
I can feel guilty about the past, apprehensive about the future, but only in the present can I act. The ability to be in the present moment is a major component of mental wellness.
—Abraham Maslow (1908–70) American Psychologist, Academic, Humanist
We need a new ethos of greater responsibility and caring.
—Hillary Rodham Clinton (b.1947) American Head of State, Politician
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
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
Do all the good you can,
By all the means you can,
In all the ways you can,
In all the places you can,
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as ever you can.
—John Wesley (1703–91) British Methodist Religious Leader, Preacher, Theologian
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, Paleontologist
Care is a state in which something does matter; it is the source of human tenderness.
—Rollo May (1909–94) American Philosopher
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
Make yourself necessary to somebody.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
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
I shall pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer not neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.
—Unknown
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
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
Something that has always puzzled me all my life is why, when I am in special need of help, the good deed is usually done by somebody on whom I have no claim.
—William Feather (1889–1981) American Publisher, Author
Little drops of water, little grains of sand,
Make the mighty ocean, and the pleasant land:
So the little minutes, humble though they be,
Make the mighty ages of eternity.
Little deeds of kindness, little words of love,
Help to make earth happy, like Heaven above.
—Julia Abigail Fletcher Carney (1823–1908) American Educator, Poet
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
When you give of your possessions, you give but little; it is when you give of yourself that you truly give.
—Khalil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
If you stop to be kind, you must swerve often from your path.
—Mary Webb (1881–1927) English Novelist, Poet, Writer
Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together.
—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) German Poet
If you want happiness for an hour — take a nap. If you want happiness for a day — go fishing. If you want happiness for a month — get married. If you want happiness for a year — inherit a fortune. If you want happiness for a lifetime — help someone else.
—Chinese Proverb
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
It is enough that I am of value to somebody today.
—Hugh Prather (b.1938) American Christian Author, Minister, Counselor
If we cannot be clever, we can always be kind.
—Alfred Downing Fripp
The fragrance always stays in the hand that gives the rose.
—Hada Bejar
An effort made for the happiness of others lifts us above ourselves.
—Lydia Maria Child (1802–80) American Abolitionist, Civil Rights Activist, Novelist, Journalist
I have learned silence from the talkative; tolerance from the intolerant and kindness from the unkind. I should not be ungrateful to those teachers.
—Khalil Gibran (1883–1931) Lebanese-born American Philosopher, Poet, Painter, Theologian, Sculptor
It is one of the beautiful compensations of life that no man can sincerely try to help another, without helping himself.
—Gamaliel Bailey
Real generosity is doing something nice for someone who’ll never find out.
—Frank A. Clark
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
Love all. Serve all. Help ever. Hurt never.
—Sathya Sai Baba (1926–2011) Indian Hindu Religious Leader
In faith and hope the world will disagree, but all mankind’s concern is charity.
—Alexander Pope (1688–1744) English Poet
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
Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.
—Desmond Tutu (b.1931) South African Clergyman
Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.
—Leo Buscaglia (1924–98) American Motivational Speaker
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
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
A kind and compassionate act is often its own reward.
—William Bennett (b.1943) American Politician, Political Theorist, Government Official
No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.
—Aesop (620–564 BCE) Greek Fabulist
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
The worst prison is a closed heart.
—Pope John Paul II (1920–2005) Polish Catholic Religious Leader