Kindness is one of the most frequently extolled virtues in human existence. Some people may look at kindness as an evolutionary trait that helps us grow as a species. But there’s more to it than that. Kindness is inspired by emotion rather than instinct. It helps us grow as individuals, not just as a collective. Here are 20 unique kindness quotes to help inspire altruism.
The Importance of Kindness
What motivates you to be kind and share the best parts of yourself with others? Is it the need to connect with other humans? Is it your desire to see a higher living standard or happiness in your community? Is it to help you get closer to god?
Altruism is a mysterious trait, often with no scientific explanation. How can you explain what impulse makes hundreds of thousands of people donate one of their kidneys every year? From a Darwinian perspective, there is no personal or collective advantage in doing so.
It’s fair to say that the rewards of kindness are, for the most part, emotional. And most people live in a desert of emotion. It’s a rough life, and kindness can go a long way. One act of kindness can change the world for someone and inspire thousands more such acts in its trail.
Because there’s no rationale behind kindness, the impulse to be kind can be fleeting. If you’re feeling kind today, here are 20 amazing quotes about kindness that will give you that extra nudge of inspiration you’re looking for.
20 Quotes About Kindness
Famous Quotes
Here are some of the most famous quotes about kindness you may have already heard of.
#1. “Indifference and neglect often do much more damage than outright dislike.” ― J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
#2. “We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindnesses there is at last one which makes the heart run over.” ― James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson, LL.D.
#3. “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” ― Ralph Waldo Emerson, The Essential Writings Of Ralph Waldo Emerson
#4. “A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” — Amelia Earhart
#5. “Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” — Lao Tzu
#6. “Conquer anger through gentleness, unkindness through kindness, greed through generosity, and falsehood by truth. Be truthful; do not yield to anger. Give freely, even if you have but little. The gods will bless you.” ― Gautama Buddha, Tipitaka
#7. “It is wonderful how much time good people spend fighting the devil. If they would only expend the same amount of energy loving their fellow men, the devil would die in his own tracks of ennui.” ― Helen Keller, The Story of My Life
Short Quotes
Here are some short quotes that ironically may require some long hours of peaceful contemplation.
#8. “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” ― Plato, Great Dialogues Of Plato
#9. “No one has ever become poor by giving.” ― Anne Frank, Diary of Anne Frank
#10. “But remember, boy, that a kind act can sometimes be as powerful as a sword.” ― Rick Riordan, The Battle of the Labyrinth
#11. “I must be cruel only to be kind; Thus bad begins, and worse remains behind.” ― William Shakespeare, Hamlet
#12. “Never lose a chance of saying a kind word.” ― William Makepeace Thackeray, Vanity Fair
#13. “Knowing the truth is not always a kindness.” ― Rosamund Hodge, Cruel Beauty
#14. “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” — Mark Twain
Motivational Quotes
Hope the quotes from this section inspire you to channel your altruistic emotions and positive energy for the people you care for.
#15. “Attitude is a choice. Happiness is a choice. Optimism is a choice. Kindness is a choice. Giving is a choice. Respect is a choice. Whatever choice you make makes you. Choose wisely.” ― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
#16. “Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness.” ― R.J. Palacio, Wonder
#17. “One man practicing kindness in the wilderness is worth all the temples this world pulls.” ― Jack Kerouac, The Dharma Bums
#18. “Kindness and good nature unite men more effectually and with greater strength than any agreements whatsoever, since thereby the engagements of men’s hearts become stronger than the bond and obligation of words.” ― Sir Thomas More, Utopia
#19. “Be kind to people whether they deserve your kindness or not. If your kindness reaches the deserving good for you, if your kindness reaches the undeserving take joy in your compassion.” ― James Fadiman, Essential Sufism
#20. “Kindness has no religion. Religions are like narrow tracks but kindness is like an open sky.” ― Amit Ray, Nonviolence: The Transforming Power
