Kindness is characterized by acts of generosity, displays of friendliness, and gestures of thoughtfulness. Being kind not only uplifts those around you, but it boosts your own happiness and optimism as well. And as the adage goes, one good turn deserves another. Therefore, your kindness may inspire the same in others.
But today, some people would have you believe this is a weakness, that it makes you a pushover. Nothing could be further from the truth. Compassion shows strength, self-knowledge, and confidence. In fact, most people — especially the older generation — yearn for the good old days when people used to be kinder and help each other out just because it was the right thing to do.
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In this article, we’re going to share with you 20 quotes about kindness. These are wise words from great thinkers, authors, and leaders that will remind you of the power and value of this sentiment.
Power of being kind
- “How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time.” — Morgan Freeman, American actor.
- “You can accomplish with kindness what you cannot by force.” — Publilius Cyrus, a Latin writer.
- “Kindness is the only service that will stand the storm of life and not wash out. It will wear well and will be remembered long after the prism of politeness or the complexion of courtesy has faded away.” — Abraham Lincoln, 16th U.S. President.
- “Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life.” — Jackie Chan, Hong Kong actor.
- “I think kindness is probably my number one attribute in a human being. I’ll put it before any of the things like courage or bravery or generosity or anything else.” — Roald Dahl, British author.
- “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, American author.
- “The words of kindness are more healing to a drooping heart than balm or honey.” — Sarah Fielding, English author.
- “Kind words do not cost much. Yet they accomplish much.” — French philosopher and mathematician Blaise Pascal.
How being kind to others can change the world
- “Remember, there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” — American cartoonist and author Scott Adams.
- “The truth is, we cannot truly be beautiful without kindness.” — Natalie Lynn Borton.
“A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.”
— Saint Basil of Caesarea, a bishop and theologian.
- “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson, an American essayist.
- “It is an absolute human certainty that no one can know his own beauty or perceive a sense of his own worth until it has been reflected back to him in the mirror of another loving, caring human being.” — John Joseph Powell, a priest and author.
- “By combining random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty you’re sure to make someone’s day. Maybe even change their life.” — Sara J. Maas, an American author.
Quotes that show being kind is not a weakness but a strength
- “Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd U.S. President.
- “A great man shows his greatness by the way he treats little men.” ― Scottish essayist Thomas Carlyle.
- “What we all have in common is an appreciation of kindness and compassion; all the religions have this. Love. We all lean towards love.” —American actor and author Richard Gere.
- “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” — Plato, Greek philosopher
- “What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?” — Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Swiss philosopher
The list wouldn’t be complete without this quote that shows how compassion opens your life to greatness, confidence, and self-fulfillment.
“That is what compassion does. It challenges our assumptions, our sense of self-limitation, worthlessness, of not having a place in the world, our feelings of loneliness and estrangement. These are narrow, constrictive states of mind. As we develop compassion, our hearts open.”
— Buddhist meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg.
