Kindness is a word that is thrown around a lot nowadays, but without much insight into what it truly means to be kind and what kindness can give to the world. Kindness can range from full blown gestures, like actors that visit their biggest fans to something as simple as a smile and a wave to a neighbor you see every day but never thought to acknowledge before.
Kindness can bridge the gap between those parted by hate, and give those who love the confidence to trust the people around them. It is a truly powerful virtue of humankind, and we often forget to utilize it, or more importantly, appreciate it.
We also never realize what an intricate role it plays in our lives. At some point in our lives, we have all received kindness from someone, big or small, that knowingly or unknowingly changed our lives in some way, and we, in turn, have shared that kindness with someone passing by us and changed their lives too.
To keep the love and spirit of kindness alive and burning bright, we’ve picked out 20 of our favorite inspirational quotes about kindness, to get you through the tough days and to fill your hearts with a little extra goodness.
1. So what is kindness?
“Kindness is more than deeds. It is an attitude, an expression, a look, a touch. It is anything that lifts another person,"
— Plato
2. But, how important is it, really?
“Three things in human life are important. The first is to be kind. The second is to be kind. And the third is to be kind.”
— Henry James
3. It is a language in itself.
"Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see"
— Mark Twain
4. And its filled with good words.
“Good words bring good feelings to the heart. Speak with kindness, always.”
— Rod Williams
(Check out this video which shows how the right words can also inspire so much kindness.)
5. With kindness, on even the darkest days, we can know that,
“…There are magical, beautiful things in the world. There's incredible acts of kindness and bravery, and in the most unlikely places, and it gives you hope.”
— Dave Matthews
6. Which leads me to this feeling:
"Kindness and politeness are not overrated at all. They’re underused."
— Tommy Lee Jones
7. But it’s fine as long as you remember :
"When we give cheerfully and accept gratefully, everyone is blessed."
— Maya Angelou
8. After all,
“Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.”
— Franklin D. Roosevelt
9. And, yes, people can be frustrating, but still,
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”
— Plato
10. You must believe when it’s said that,
“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”
— Aesop
11. Keep in mind,
“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.”
— Oscar Wilde
12. So here’s something you should think about.
"Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate."
— Albert Schweitzer
13. At the end of the day, the truth is,
“Kindness in words creates confidence.
Kindness in thinking creates profoundness.
Kindness in giving creates love.”
— Lao Tzu
14. So you must practice kindness, in some way or another.
“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.”
— Princess Diana
15. Because in your heart of hearts you know,
“In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us.”
— Flora Edwards
(If you need proof, just watch this video on the boomerang effect of kindness.)
16. There is truly so much wisdom to be gained from being kind. However,
“Kindness is more important than wisdom, and the recognition of this is the beginning of wisdom.”
— Theodore Isaac Rubin
17. And along those wise lines, kindness plays a role in what we gain in life.
“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
18. That kind of makes me think.
“How lovely that everyone, great and small, can make a contribution toward introducing justice straightaway. And you can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!”
— Anne Frank
19. There is so much to be learned from kindness, and so much to be gained from it.
"You can accomplish by kindness what you cannot by force."
— Publilius Syrus
20. So, one final parting thought.
"Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness."
— George Sand
