50 Quotes That Will Inspire You to Practice Compassion

The words compassion and kindness are sometimes used interchangeably, but the two words have distinctive meanings. Kindness is defined as “the quality or state of being kind,” or “a kind deed,” according to Merriam-Webster. Compassion, on the other hand, is a “sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it,” according to Merriam-Webster.

For many people, trying to support or alleviate the problems of others when they are dealing with their own busy lives may feel impossible. But once someone has practiced self-preservation and self-care, it’s important to look outward and focus on others. It may seem like we’re all living in our own little worlds, but at the end of the day, we are all connected and directly impacted by the choices of others.

When we take an interest in the plights and struggles of others and act compassionately, we are often not only helping other people but also helping ourselves. A simple act of compassion can make a positive impact on someone else's day. As Oprah wrote in our “The Life You Want” Planner: “Extending yourself in compassion to another human being changes the nature of your relationship—the acknowledgment of one human being to another is what bonds, strengthens, and expands the human connection.”

To inspire all of us to live a life full of compassion, we sourced the best quotes, words of wisdom, and remarks on the topic from writers, scholars, and other notable names. These 50 quotes will encourage you to make compassion part of your everyday life.