Words have the power to both destroy and heal. When words are both true and kind, they can change our world.

World peace must develop from inner peace. Peace is not just mere absence of violence. Peace is, I think, the manifestation of human compassion.

We can learn the art of fierce compassion - redefining strength, deconstructing isolation and renewing a sense of community, practicing letting go of rigid us-vs.-them thinking.

My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.

If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.

If we learn to open our hearts, anyone, including the people who drive us crazy, can be our teacher.

Compassion is not mere sentiment but a powerful force that can transform both ourselves and others.

Metta (loving-kindness) becomes truly effective only when it arises from a peaceful mind, a pure mind, a balanced mind.

When you begin to see that your enemy is suffering, that is the beginning of insight.

The experience of emptiness engenders compassion.

Metta is the ability to embrace all parts of ourselves, as well as all parts of the world.

Compassion is not just about being kind to others. It's about being kind to ourselves as well.

The teaching is simple: act with kindness and compassion. If you cannot do this, at least try not to harm others.

True happiness comes from a sense of inner peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved through cultivation of altruism, of love, of compassion.

Love is not about possession. Love is about appreciation.

When you practice gratefulness, there is a sense of respect toward others.

Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.

Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It's a relationship between equals.

The cultivation of loving-kindness has the power to transform enmity into amity, hostility into hospitality.

Compassion is a verb.

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.

Happiness is found in the simplest of things. It is not in the things you own, but in the love you share.

Compassion is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength.

When you plant lettuce, if it does not grow well, you don't blame the lettuce. You look for reasons it is not doing well. It may need fertilizer, or more water, or less sun. You never blame the lettuce.

The purpose of life is to be happy, to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate. It is not to be well known, cited, or powerful.

Wisdom and compassion must be developed equally and harmoniously.

In the moment of anger, abandon anger but not the person. In the moment of attachment, abandon attachment but not the person.

The planet does not need more successful people. The planet desperately needs more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of all kinds.

People take different roads seeking fulfillment and happiness. Just because they're not on your road doesn't mean they've gotten lost.

Compassion is not something we develop. It arises naturally as we see the truth of what is.

Compassion is the radicalism of our time.

Radiate boundless love towards the entire world — above, below, and across — unhindered, without ill will, without enmity.

The more you give, the more you have. That's the economics of kindness.

The ultimate purpose of Buddhism is to serve and benefit humanity.

The more you understand, the more you love; the more you love, the more you understand.

Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can't help them, at least don't hurt them.

A pure mind is always full of love - real love for all others.

Conquer anger with non-anger. Conquer evil with good. Conquer stinginess with giving. Conquer deceit with truth.

When you realize the emptiness of all phenomena, compassion will arise in your heart for all sentient beings who do not understand this truth.

The way to change others' minds is with affection, and not anger.

If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

The root of happiness is altruism — the wish to be of service to others.

Buddhist practice is not to eliminate life's problems but to grow with them patiently and with compassion.

To understand everything is to forgive everything.

The way to overcome anger is to be too busy being kind to have time to be angry.

Life is glorious, but life is also wretched. It is both. Appreciating the gloriousness inspires us, encourages us, cheers us up, gives us a bigger perspective, energizes us. We feel connected. But if that's all that's happening, we get arrogant and start to look down on others, and there is a sense of making ourselves a big deal and being really serious about it, wanting it to be like that forever. The gloriousness becomes tinged by craving and addiction. On the other hand, wretchedness--life's painful aspect--softens us up considerably. Knowing pain is a very important ingredient of being there for another person.

The only reason we don't open our hearts and minds to other people is that they trigger confusion in us that we don't feel brave enough or sane enough to deal with.

Love is the wish that others be happy, and compassion is the wish that they be free from suffering.

Altruism is not a luxury, it is a necessity for the survival of humanity.

The ultimate source of happiness is not money and power, but warm-heartedness.

The essence of Buddhist practice is to reduce our selfishness and to work for the benefit of others.

The best way to solve a problem is to help someone else solve their problem.

The essence of the teaching is emptiness and compassion. Without emptiness, compassion can become attachment. Without compassion, emptiness can become cold and distant.

The purpose of our lives is to be happy, and happiness is found in benefiting others.

The practice of metta begins with oneself, for only when we have developed loving-kindness towards ourselves can we truly offer it to others.

Hatred does not cease by hatred, but only by love; this is the eternal rule.

The ultimate source of a happy life is warm-heartedness. This means extending to others the kind of concern we have for ourselves.

Loving-kindness is not something we need to manufacture. It's a natural expression of our awakened nature.

Kindness is the solution to all of life's problems.

If you want to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be miserable, expect something in return.