Compassion is the desire that moves the individual self to widen the scope of its self-concern to embrace the whole of the universal self.
—Arnold J. Toynbee (1889–1975) British Historian
Life is short. Time is fleeting. Realize the Self.
Purity of the heart is the gateway to God.
Aspire. Renounce. Meditate.
Be good; do good.
Be kind; be compassionate.
Inquire, know Thyself.
—Sivananda Saraswati (1887–1963) Indian Hindu Spiritual Teacher
I wonder why it is that we are not all kinder to each other… How much the world needs it! How easily it is done.
—Henry Drummond
It is better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.
—Jackie Joyner-Kersee (b.1962) American Athlete
Mercy but murders, pardoning those that kill.
—William Shakespeare (1564–1616) British Playwright
I would rather feel compassion than know the meaning of it.
—Thomas Aquinas (1225–74) Italian Catholic Priest, Philosopher, Theologian
Compassion is the antitoxin of the soul: where there is compassion even the most poisonous impulses remain relatively harmless.
—Eric Hoffer (1902–83) American Philosopher, Author
It is lack of love for ourselves that inhibits our compassion toward others. If we make friends with ourselves, then there is no obstacle to opening our hearts and minds to others.
—Unknown
The golden rule is of no use whatsoever unless you realize that it is your move.
—Frank Hall Crane (1873–1948) American Stage and Film Actor, Director
A coward is incapable of exhibiting love; it is the prerogative of the brave.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Until he extends the circle of his compassion to all living things, man will not himself find peace.
—Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French Theologian, Philosopher, Musician, Physician
The purpose of human life is to serve and show compassion and the will to help others.
—Albert Schweitzer (1875–1965) French Theologian, Philosopher, Musician, Physician
Without justice, courage is weak.
—Benjamin Franklin (1706–90) American Political Leader, Inventor, Diplomat
The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–82) American Philosopher
There is a sufficiency in the world for man’s need but not for man’s greed.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
Compassion is not weakness, and concern for the unfortunate is not socialism.
—Hubert Humphrey (1911–78) American Head of State, Politician
Knowing sorrow well, I learn to succor the distressed.
—Virgil (70–19 BCE) Roman Poet
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 (1926–2022) American Writer, Theologian
I have observed that religious practice is not a precondition either of ethical conduct or of happiness itself. I have also suggested that, whether a person practices religion or not, the spiritual qualities of love and compassion, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, humility and so on are indispensable
—The 14th Dalai Lama (b.1935) Tibetan Buddhist Leader, Civil Rights Advocate, Author
One’s life has value so long as one attributes value to the life of others, by means of love, friendship, indignation, compassion.
—Simone de Beauvoir (1908–86) French Philosopher, Writer, Feminist
I believe we are still so innocent. The species are still so innocent that a person who is apt to be murdered believes that the murderer, just before he puts the final wrench on his throat, will have enough compassion to give him one sweet cup of water.
—Maya Angelou (1928–2014) American Poet
God’s Compassion – Eye gives us
Not only one Chance
But countless chances
To change our wrong directions
—Sri Chinmoy (1931–2007) Indian Yoga Teacher
Where there is love there is life.
—Mohandas K. Gandhi (1869–1948) Indian Hindu Political leader
By compassion we make others’ misery our own, and so, by relieving them, we relieve ourselves also.
—Thomas Browne (1605–82) English Author, Physician
Lincoln’s appeal to ‘the better angels of our nature’ failed to avert a fratricidal war. But the compassionate wisdom of Lincoln’s first and second inaugurals bequeathed to the Union, cemented with blood, a moral heritage which, when drawn upon in times of stress and strife, is sure to find specific ways and means to surmount difficulties that may appear to be insurmountable.
—Felix Frankfurter (1882–1965) Austrian-Born American Jurist
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
Man may dismiss compassion from his heart, but God never will.
—William Cowper (1731–1800) English Anglican Poet, Hymn writer
When we come into contact with the other person, our thoughts and actions should express our mind of compassion, even if that person says and does things that are not easy to accept. We practice in this way until we see clearly that our love is not contingent upon the other person being lovable.
—Thich Nhat Hanh (1926–2022) Vietnamese Buddhist Leader, Teacher, Peace Activist
Wisdom, compassion, and courage are the three universally recognized moral qualities of men.
—Confucius (551–479 BCE) Chinese Philosopher
Compassion has no place in the natural order of the world which operates on the basis of necessity. Compassion opposes this order and is therefore best thought of as being in some way supernatural.
—John Berger (1926–2017) English Art Critic, Novelist
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