quotes about Compassion
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The Srimad-Bhagavatam states that any bona fide preacher of God consciousness must have the qualities of titiksa (tolerance) and karuna (compassion). In the character of Lord Jesus Christ we find both these qualities.
-- A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada -
The year showed me beyond a doubt that everyone practices cafeteria religion... But the important lesson was this: there's nothing wrong with choosing. Cafeterias aren't bad per se... the key is in choosing the right dishes. You need to pick the nurturing ones (compassion), the healthy ones (love thy neighbor), not the bitter ones.
-- A. J. Jacobs -
Compassion crowns the soul with its truest victory.
-- AberjhaniSource : Aberjhani (2014). “Journey through the Power of the Rainbow: Quotations from a Life Made Out of Poetry”, p.66, Lulu.com
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When faith is completely replaced by creed, worship by discipline, love by habit; when the crisis of today is ignored because of the splendors of the past; when faith becomes an heirloom rather than a living fountain; when religion speaks only in the name of authority rather than with the voice of compassion, its message becomes meaningless.
-- Abraham Joshua HeschelSource : Abraham Joshua Heschel (1955). “Insecurity of Freedom”, p.181, Macmillan
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When religion speaks only in the name of authority rather than with the voice of compassion, its message becomes meaningless.
-- Abraham Joshua Heschel -
I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is the way of a whole human being.
-- Abraham Lincoln -
Americans in general have a lot of compassion, we just don't always have the same view of how that compassion is implemented.
-- Adam Kinzinger -
I think there is a complicated side effect to overcoming evil in that we are forever changed by it. I think after we ingest some of the cruelty of the world, it takes years off of our lives, but it also gives us wisdom and a little grace, hopefully a sense of compassion.
-- Adam Rapp -
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Americans are blessed with great plenty; we are a generous people and we have a moral obligation to assist those who are suffering from poverty, disease, war and famine.
-- Adam SchiffSource : "Religion: Go Ye and Relax?". content.time.com. April 20, 1953.
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How selfish soever man may be supposed, there are evidently some principles in his nature, which interest him in the fortune of others, and render their happiness necessary to him, though he derives nothing from it, except the pleasure of seeing it.
-- Adam Smith -
Transcend your abuse and transform it into a source of courage, creativity and compassion.
-- Adeline Yen MahSource : Adeline Yen Mah (2009). “Chinese Cinderella: The True Story of an Unwanted Daughter”, p.12, Laurel Leaf
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A hungry man is not a free man.
-- Adlai E. StevensonSource : "Hunger battle on food summit menu". www.cnn.com. June 10, 2002.
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Can you imagine if you really let it in that you are not a problem to be solved in any way? Imagine you knew that anything that would tell you otherwise is just a movement of thought in the mind that says "Whatever is, isn't the way it is supposed to be." So the biggest act of compassion starts within. And when the self is no longer seen as a problem, this is called "the peace that passes all understanding."
-- Adyashanti -
Often life is a frantic avoidance of the truth.
-- Adyashanti -
If pity was always equally alive and acting in all individuals and in all circumstances, we could do away with moral. Unfortunately, it is not compassion, but rather it's contrary, selfishness, that act most strongly in us.
-- African SpirSource : "Paroles d'un sage: Choix de pensées d'African Spir" ("Words of a Sage : Selected thoughts of African Spir") by Hélène Claparède-Spir, (p. 57), 1937.
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Apart from selfish reasons, such as fear of punishments, fear of blame, of dishonour, etc, there remains only two motives that can stop (or prevent, "empâecher", Fr.) men from acting badly; the natural sense of commiseration (or "sympathy", - "commisération", Fr.) for one's fellow men - compassion, and the influence of education, by association of ideas ("par l'association d'idées", Fr.) - habit.
-- African Spir -
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Religions have become a hindrance, rather than a help, to our shared pursuit of peace and progress. They tend to make us meaner rather than better human beings, less sensitive to the demands of justice, compassion and fellow humanity in our times.
-- AgniveshSource : Agnivesh's Right Livelihood Award Acceptance Speech, www.rightlivelihoodaward.org. December 31, 2004.
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Just as the grammarian makes one study grammar, A Buddha teaches according to the tolerance of his students; Some he urges to refrain from sins, others to do good, Some to rely on dualism, other on non-dualism; And to some he teaches the profound, The terrifying, the practice of enlightenment, Whose essence is emptiness that is compassion
-- Akkineni Nagarjuna -
Great compassion penetrates into the marrow of the bone. It is the support of all living beings. Like the love of a parent for an only child, the tenderness of the Compassionate One is all-pervasive.
-- Akkineni Nagarjuna -
Most governments are pragmatic, most people are logical. There are pockets of extremism in Israel, in the U.S. and in the Muslim world. But we have to fight them with reason, with logic and with compassion.
-- Al-Waleed bin TalalSource : "Saudi Prince Urges Ground Zero Mosque Be Moved" by Cindy E. Rodriguez, abcnews.go.com. October 28, 2010.
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Those who do not forgive history are assigned to repeat it until compassion replaces judgment.
-- Alan Cohen -
Harden our hearts to the innocents in the womb, and we have hardened our hearts to the need for compassion, and mercy, and fellow-feeling, and charity, and decency in this world.
-- Alan Keyes -
And were your back as broad as heaven, and your purse full of gold, and did your compassion reach from here to hell itself, there is nothing you can do.
-- Alan Paton -
The world is filled with love-play, from animal lust to sublime compassion.
-- Alan Watts -
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I have no idea what's awaiting me, or what will happen when this all ends. For the moment I know this: there are sick people and they need curing.
-- Albert Camus -
To grow old is to pass from passion to compassion.
-- Albert CamusSource : Albert Camus (1963). “Carnets: 1942-1951”
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Love cannot accept what it is. Everywhere on earth it cries out against kindness, compassion, intelligence, everything that leads to compromise. Love demands the impossible, the absolute, the sky on fire, inexhaustible springtime, life after death, and death itself transfigured into eternal life.
-- Albert Camus -
In matters of truth and justice, there is no difference between large and small problems, for issues concerning the treatment of people are all the same.
-- Albert Einstein -
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Our task is to widen our circle of compassion to include all living beings and all of nature
-- Albert Einstein -
A person experiences life as something separated from the rest - a kind of optical delusion of consciousness. Our task must be to free ourselves from this self-imposed prison, and through compassion, to find the reality of Oneness.
-- Albert Einstein -
The indifference, callousness and contempt that so many people exhibit toward animals is evil first because it results in great suffering in animals, and second because it results in an incalculably great impoverishment of the human spirit.
-- Albert Einstein -
We are part of the whole which we call the universe, but it is an optical delusion of our mind that we think we are separate. This separateness is like a prison for us. Our job is to widen the circle of our compassion so we feel connected with all people and situations.
-- Albert Einstein -
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The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.
-- Albert Schweitzer -
We must fight against the spirit of unconscious cruelty with which we treat the animals. Animals suffer as much as we do. True humanity does not allow us to impose such sufferings on them. It is our duty to make the whole world recognize it. Until we extend our circle of compassion to all living things, humanity will not find peace.
-- Albert Schweitzer -
I can do no other than be reverent before everything that is called life. I can do no other than to have compassion for all that is called life. That is the beginning and the foundation of all ethics.
-- Albert Schweitzer -
Ethics cannot be based upon our obligations toward people, but they are complete and natural only when we feel this Reverence for Life and the desire to have compassion for and to help all creatures insofar as it is in our power. I think that this ethic will become more and more recognized because of its great naturalness and because it is the foundation of a true humanism toward which we must strive if our culture is to become truly ethical.
-- Albert Schweitzer -
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For animals that are overworked, underfed, and cruelly treated; for all wistful creatures in captivity that beat their wings against bars; for any that are hunted or lost or deserted or frightened or hungry; for all that must be put to death...and for those who deal with them we ask a heart of compassion and gentle hands and kindly words.
-- Albert Schweitzer -
Compassion, in which all ethics must take root, can only attain its full breadth and depth if it embraces all living creatures and does not limit itself to mankind.
-- Albert Schweitzer -
If there is anything I have learned about men and women, it is that there is a deeper spirit of altruism than is ever evident. Just as the rivers we see are minor compared to the underground streams, so, too, the idealism that is visible is minor compared to what people carry in their hearts unreleased or scarcely released.
-- Albert Schweitzer -
The propagandist's purpose is to make one set of people forget that certain other sets of people are human.
-- Aldous HuxleySource : 1937 The Olive Tree.
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Their false compassion is called compassion and their false understanding is called understanding, for this is their most potent spell.
-- Aleister Crowley -
Righteous is the one who was able to demonstrate compassion in face of human suffering.
-- Aleksander Kwasniewski -
How can you expect a man who's warm to understand one who's cold?
-- Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn -
For most people, using the Internet broadens their sense of who 'we' is and actually ends up leaving us in a place of greater compassion and understanding. It leaves us more connected to a larger group of people and more at one with a lot more people in our community.
-- Alex Steffen -
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Change is possible, but it must start with self-acceptance.
-- Alexander Lowen -
In democratic ages men rarely sacrifice themselves for another, but they show a general compassion for all the human race. One never sees them inflict pointless suffering, and they are glad to relieve the sorrows of others when they can do so without much trouble to themselves. They are not disinterested, but they are gentle.
-- Alexis de Tocqueville -
The monument of a great man is not of granite or marble or bronze. It consists of his goodness, his deeds, his love and his compassion.
-- Alfred Armand MontapertSource : Alfred Armand Montapert (1982). “Inspiration & motivation”, Prentice Hall Direct
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Be like a flower that gives its fragrance even to the hand that crushed it.
-- Ali ibn Abi Talib -
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I have always felt that the way we treat animals is a pretty good indicator of the compassion we are capable of for the human race.
-- Ali MacGraw -
Human compassion is equal to human cruelty, and it is up to each of us to tip the balance.
-- Alice Walker -
The students [of the 60s] substituted conspicuous compassion for their parents conspicuous consumption.
-- Allan Bloom -
Conservatives understand that the power that binds our republic together is fierce independence held high on the shoulders of compassion.
-- Allen West -
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Compassion comes from a choice and not the liberal definition of a choice - the choice to say I can do with a little less so my brother can have a little more.
-- Allen West -
Of course we have compassion. We just don't believe the safety net should be used as a hammock.
-- Allen West -
Compassion can change a lot of things, including the world. Young people especially need to know that, because they're the future.
-- Aloe Blacc -
Dance training can't be separate from life training. Everything that comes into our lives is training. The qualities we admire in great dancing are the same qualities we admire in human beings: honesty, courage, fearlessness, generosity, wisdom, depth, compassion,and humanity.
-- Alonzo King -
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Nature has given women two painful but heavenly gifts, which distinguish them, and often raise them above human nature,--compassion and enthusiasm. By compassion, they devote themselves; by enthusiasm they exalt themselves.
-- Alphonse de Lamartine -
How beautiful she is, Our Lady of compassion! How dear! How utterly unselfish! How filled with joy for Him - and us - in the depths of her own agony and desolation!
-- Alphonsus Liguori -
I remind myself of the power of thought and how it's my obligation as a citizen (and student) of humanity to propel compassion.
-- Alyssa Milano -
A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.
-- Amelia Earhart -
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Understanding comes with compassion and compassion comes with truthfulness
-- Amit Abraham -
Compassion is the signature of Higher Consciousness. Non-violence is the tool to evolve into the Higher Consciousness.
-- Amit Ray -
There are two types of seeds in the mind: those that create anger, fear, frustration, jealousy, hatred and those that create love, compassion, equanimity and joy. Spirituality is germination and sprouting of the second group and transforming the first group.
-- Amit Ray -
Samadhi is the journey from individual to collective consciousness. The steps of Samadhi are the steps towards reaching the collective consciousness. In meditation, the more we radiate love, compassion, peace, harmony and tranquility, the more is our contribution towards the collective consciousness. The more we positively contribute towards the collective consciousness the more is our progress in Samadhi.
-- Amit Ray -
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As flower blooms in spring, compassion grows in mindfulness.
-- Amit Ray -
Beautify your inner dialogue. Beautify your inner world with love light and compassion. Life will be beautiful.
-- Amit Ray -
Compassion is all inclusive. Compassion knows no boundaries. Compassion comes with awareness, and awareness breaks all narrow territories.
-- Amit Ray -
Light of compassion and the light of wisdom that arises from our deepest and truest nature surpasses all other lights.
-- Amit Ray -
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There are many goals but one path - the path of compassion.
-- Amit Ray -
When the Sun of compassion arises darkness evaporates and the singing birds come from nowhere.
-- Amit Ray -
Everything I do as a mother builds on a foundation of love and compassion.
-- Amy Chua -
But my experience is that people who have been through painful, difficult times are filled with compassion.
-- Amy Grant -
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Self-pity comes so naturally to all of us. The most solid happiness can be shaken by the compassion of a fool.
-- Andre Maurois -
I think we learn the most from imperfect relationships - things like forgiveness and compassion.
-- Andrea ThompsonSource : "Biography/ Personal Quotes". www.imdb.com.
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AN ARTISTIC DISCOVERY OCCURS EACH TIME AS A NEW AND UNIQUE IMAGE OF THE WORLD, A HIEROGLYPHIC OF ABSOLUTE TRUTH. IT APPEARS AS A REVELATION, AS A MOMENTARY, PASSIONATE WISH TO GRASP INTUITIVELY AND AT A STROKE ALL THE LAWS OF THIS WORLD-ITS BEAUTY AND UGLINESS, ITS COMPASSION AND CRUELTY, ITS INFINITY AND ITS LIMITATIONS.
-- Andrei Tarkovsky -
If you're really listening, if you're awake to the poignant beauty of the world, your heart breaks regularly. In fact, your heart is made to break; its purpose is to burst open again and again so that it can hold evermore wonders.
-- Andrew Harvey -
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Coming into contact with the Mother is coming into contact with a force of passionate and active compassion in every area and dimension of life, a force that longs to be invoked by us to help transform all the existing conditions of life on earth so that they can mirror ever more clearly and accurately her law, her justice, and her love.
-- Andrew HarveySource : Andrew Harvey (2012). “Radical Passion: Sacred Love and Wisdom in Action”, p.188, North Atlantic Books
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No one in USAID embodied the spirit of compassion and brotherhood that underpins our efforts more than Larry Foley.
-- Andrew NatsiosSource : "Foley remembered for 'compassion'" by Elise Labott, www.cnn.com. December 14, 2002.
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I was a solipsist and a narcissist and much too arrogant. I have a lot more compassion now, but it took a long time.
-- Andrew Sarris -
Despite all their fears, we ask very little of the ones who never loved us. We do not ask for sympathy or pain or compassion. We simply want to know why.
-- Andrew Sean GreerSource : Andrew Sean Greer (2007). “The Confessions of Max Tivoli: A Novel”, p.120, Macmillan
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I want people to help me reanchor the church to undeniable, mind-boggling, culture-shifting demonstration of compassion and generosity. Because, generosity was the hallmark of the early church.
-- Andy Stanley -
People are able to live with only half a heart, to live without real compassion, because they are able to use words that are only forms.
-- Angus WilsonSource : Angus Wilson, Kerry McSweeney (1984). “Diversity and Depth in Fiction: Selected Critical Writings of Angus Wilson”, Viking Adult
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The amount of love, kindness, patience I have for others is is directly proportional to how much love I have for myself, because we cannot give others what we ourselves do not have. And, unsurprisingly, the amount of love, respect, support, and compassion I receive from others is also in direct proportion to how much I love myself.
-- Anita MoorjaniSource : FaceBook post by Anita Moorjani from May 07, 2012
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For the past 25 years as an adoption attorney, I have witnessed the extraordinary courage and compassion of women - from age 14 to 40 - facing unplanned pregnancy. Not once did I believe that the government should interfere with their personal and private decision.
-- Ann McLane KusterSource : "The Case for Contraception" by Rep. Ann McLane Kuster, www.huffingtonpost.com. February 16, 2012.
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The well taught philosophic mind To all compassion gives; Casts round the world an equal eye, And feels for all that lives.
-- Anna Letitia BarbauldSource : Anna Letitia Barbauld, Lucy Aikin (1825). “The works of Anna Laetitia Barbauld: in two volumes”, p.37
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if an author would have us feel a strong degree of compassion, his characters must not be too perfect.
-- Anna Letitia Barbauld -
My doctrine is this, that if we see cruelty or wrong that we have the power to stop, and do nothing, we make ourselves sharers in the guilt.
-- Anna SewellSource : Anna Sewell (1895). “Black Beauty: The Autobiography of a Horse”, p.195
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I live my life with love. I live my life with compassion. I live my life hoping the best for absolutely everyone, no matter how they feel about me. And when you live that way, it's amazing how beautiful every day can be.
-- Anne HathawaySource : "Anne Hathaway: Jokes about Oscar speech 'get to me'". www.today.com. February 26, 2013.
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Radical self-care is what we've been longing for, desperate for, our entire lives-friendship with our own hearts.
-- Anne Lamott -
Make no judgments where you have no compassion.
-- Anne McCaffreySource : Anne McCaffrey (1988). “The Dragonriders of Pern”, Random House LLC
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the knowledge of personal failure ... is the invaluable predicate of all honest compassion.
-- Anne Truitt -
Humankind seems to have an enormous capacity for savagery, for brutality, for lack of empathy, for lack of compassion.
-- Annie Lennox -
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Animals and humans come in many different sizes and colors, but we all have the same loving heart and soul.
-- Anthony D. Williams -
Each and every animal on earth has as much right to be here as you and me
-- Anthony D. Williams -
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Blanket compassion will shift the distribution decisively towards the manipulative end of the spectrum, and may paradoxically decrease the compassion with which the genuinely despairing are treated: for they are apt to get lost in the great mass of pseudo-distress and manipulation, and often their conduct draws less attention precisely because it is less attention-seeking.
-- Anthony Daniels -
These things will destroy the human race: politics without principle, progress without compassion, wealth without work, learning without silence, religion without fearlessness and worship without awareness.
-- Anthony de Mello -
Some of the greatest minds on earth also have a great capacity to remember. Many would prefer to forget their memories of mankind.
-- Anthony Douglas -
All life deserves respect, dignity, and compassion. All life.
-- Anthony Douglas -