Quotes About Empathy

Just as the wave cannot exist for itself, but is ever a part of the heaving surface of the ocean, so must I never live my life for itself, but always in the experience which is going on around me. It is an uncomfortable doctrine which the true ethics whisper into my ear. You are happy, they say; therefore you are called upon to give much.

The African is my brother-but he is my younger brother by several centuries.

Therefore search and see if there is not some place where you may invest your humanity.

We cannot possibly let ourselves get frozen into regarding everyone we do not know as an absolute stranger.

You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it's a little thing, do something for others - something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it.

The purpose of human life is to serve and to show compassion and the will to help others.

Man can no longer live for himself alone. We must realize that all life is valuable and that we are united to all life. From this knowledge comes our spiritual relationship with the universe.

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.

Wherever you turn, you can find someone who needs you. Even if it is a little thing, do something for which there is no pay but the privilege of doing it. Remember, you don't live in a world all of your own.

Anyone who proposes to do good must not expect people to roll stones out of his way, but must accept his lot calmly if they even roll a few more upon it.

You must give time to your fellow men -- even if it's a little thing, do something for others -- something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it. --

Very little of the great cruelty shown by men can really be attributed to cruel instinct. Most of it comes from thoughtlessness or inherited habit. The roots of cruelty, therefore, are not so much strong as widespread. But the time must come when inhumanity protected by custom and thoughtlessness will succumb before humanity championed by thought. Let us work that this time may come.

Whoever is spared personal pain must feel himself called to help in diminishing the pain of others. We must all carry our share of the misery which lies upon the world.

Life becomes harder for us when we live for others but it also becomes richer and happier.

By ethical conduct toward all creatures, we enter into a spiritual relationship with the universe.

If people would wake that feeling of compassion within themselves, the suffering of others would affect them more often, and the desire to alleviate it, if not prevent it, would grow inside them. Then, the active involvement in the suffering of other beings would become the supreme life principle in everyday reasoning, feeling and the activity of individuals.

But you must do something more. Seek always to do some good, somewhere

Keiner darf die Augen schliessen und das Leiden, dessen Anblick er sich erspart, als nicht geschehen ansehen.

Die Ethik ist nur vollständig und echt und lebendig, wenn sie alle lebenden Wesen mit einschliesst.

Jusqu'à ce qu'il étende le cercle de sa compassion à toutes les créatures vivantes, l'homme lui-même ne trouvera pas la paix.

Wer sich vornimmt, Gutes zu wirken, darf nicht erwarten, dass die Menschen ihm deswegen Steine aus dem Weg räumen, sondern muss auf das Schicksalshafte gefasst sein, dass sie ihm welche daraufrollen.

Wer unter uns durch das, was er erlebt hat, wissend geworden ist über Schmerz und Angst, muß mithelfen, daß denen draußen in leiblicher Not Hilfe zuteil werde, wie sie ihm widerfuhr. Er gehört nicht mehr ganz sich selber an, sondern ist Bruder all derer geworden, die leiden. (Aus meinem Leben und Denken, S. 145)

When people have light in themselves, it will shine out from them. Then we get to know each other as we walk together in the darkness, without needing to pass our hands over each other's faces, or to intrude into each other's hearts

We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit.