Kindness can break barriers, lighten moods, and have a bonding effect on people. Most people don’t realize that it’s the most basic yet most effective manner of showing care. There’s a reason why Michelle Obama says, “Friendships are built of a thousand small kindnesses.”
Quotes about kindness show us that “to be kind” doesn't mean one is weak. And when words are not enough, kindness quotes convey everything. else. They help us see that with just a simple smile or a helping hand, there could be a huge difference.
Let's jump in and see some of the most powerful kindness quotes to motivate us all and inspire a little more love!
Before you jump to the quotes, understand what defines kindness. According to the greatest philosopher, Aristotle, kindness means “helpfulness towards someone in need, not in return for anything, nor for the advantage of the helper himself, but for that of the person helped”. His rival, Plato, says, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.”
It’s clear from them that kindness is linked to intelligence and strength. Today, empathy and kindness are seen as virtues of the weak but such type of thinking is wrong and incorrect. That’s why we’ve gathered a collection of kindness quotes to show how much they are needed in our society!
The main point of kindness is to help others without any ulterior motive. But still, kindness is a broad term that can be expressed in different ways. So, to make sure kindness is understood perfectly, we have divided the list of quotes on kindness into different categories:
Famous Quotes on Kindness
Quotes about kindness from well-known figures come from all sorts of places like speeches, rallies, books, and even everyday conversations. What makes these quotes stand out is their ability to share profound thoughts in just a few words. They made a big impact when they were first said and continue to inspire us today. These quotes come from people you may know and look up to:
- “A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.” — Joseph Joubert
- “Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.” — Albert Schweitzer
- “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
- “For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.” — Audrey Hepburn
- “A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” — William Arthur Ward
- “Kindness is stronger than iron bars.” — Margaret George
- “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill
- “Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people.” — Roy T. Bennett
- “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.” — Desmond Tutu
- “There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” — John Holmes
- “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” — Margaret Mead
- “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
- “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” — Clare Pooley
- “Be a little kinder than you have to.” — E. Lockhart
- “It is never too late to be kind, polite, and a loving human being.” — Eddie Jaku
Love and Kindness Quotes
Kindness isn't just about doing favors. It’s about understanding and caring deeply. When you love someone, you really know them. When we truly care, choosing kindness becomes second nature. These quotes cover how tenderness, affection, and our shared humanity shape our actions:
- “Spread love everywhere you go. Be the living expression of God’s kindness.” — Mother Teresa
- “Compassion isn’t about solutions. It’s about giving all the love that you’ve got.” — Cheryl Strayed
- “Friendships between women are built of a thousand small kindnesses.” — Michelle Obama
- “Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference.” — Barbara De Angelis
- “There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” — Vincent Van Gogh
- “The best portion of a good man’s life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.” — William Wordsworth
- “Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness.” — George Sand
- “Take one cup of love, two cups of loyalty … blend with tenderness, kindness, and understanding.” — Zig Ziglar
- “As our kindness for ourselves grows, so does our kindness for other people.” — Pema Chodron
- “Kindness isn’t a tactic. It’s a command.” — David French
- “A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.” — Steve Maraboli
- “A memorable heart is the easiest way to immortality.” — Suzy Kassem
- “Pain and suffering, they are a secret. Kindness and love, they are a secret.” — Alan Paton
- “Little deeds of kindness, Little words of love, Help to make earth happy.” — Julia Abigail Fletcher Carney
- “The mother’s love is not given to us to spoil us with indulgence, but to soften our hearts.” — Paramahansa Yogananda
- “What I want is so simple I almost can’t say it: elementary kindness.” — Barbara Kingsolver
- “I’ve been searching for ways to heal myself, and I’ve found that kindness is the best way.” — Lady Gaga
- “No one is born hating another person. People must learn to hate, and they can be taught to love.” — Nelson Mandela
- “Love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.” — Nelson Mandela
- “Kindness makes a fellow feel good whether it’s being done to him or by him.” — Frank A. Clark
Kindness as Power Quotes
Our ability to choose kindness actually makes us powerful, not weak. Even a small act of kindness can brighten someone's day, and showing kindness can often change us more than it changes the other person. So, you hold the power to make someone’s day!
- “Kindness is the power that moves us to support and heal someone who offers nothing in return.” — Lewis B. Smedes
- “Kindness has converted more sinners than either zeal, eloquence, or learning.” — Frederick William Faber
- “Being kind costs us nothing—not being kind will cost us everything.” — Abhijit Naskar
- “Remember, there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple.” — Scott Adams
- “Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change.” — Bob Kerrey
- “Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind.” — Eric Hoffer
- “The very nature of kindness is to spread.” — Sri Chinmoy
- “The words of kindness are more healing to a drooping heart than balm or honey.” — Sarah Fielding
- “You can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!” — Anne Frank
- “Kindness always wins.” — Anoir Ou-chad
- “It takes strength to be kind; it’s not a weakness.” — Daniel Lubetzky
- “To extend yourself in kindness to anybody is an extension of kindness in the world.” — Oprah Winfrey
- “The true greatness of a person is evident in the way he or she treats those with whom courtesy and kindness are not required.” — Joseph B. Wirthlin
- “Kindness isn’t a weakness, it’s a strength.” — Dalai Lama
- “Human kindness has never weakened the stamina of a free people.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt
Humanity and Kindness Quotes
Kindness quotes capture the essence of why being kind matters and keep it alive. Throughout history, these quotes have inspired political changes, influenced great novels, and represented what it means to be human. What impact might they have on you today? Read and find out:
- “Practice kindness all day to everybody and you will realize you’re already in heaven now.” — Jack Kerouac
- “The happiest people you know are the ones who work at being kind, helpful, and reliable.” — Harold Kushner
- “In the face of isolationism, kindness might be a good starting point.” — Jacinda Ardern
- “Kindness and politeness are not overrated at all. They’re underused.” — Tommy Lee Jones
- “Go to where you are kindest.” — Jaron Lanier
- “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” — Maya Angelou
- “Sometimes those who give the most are the ones with the least to spare.” — Mike McIntyre
- “Sometimes one act of kindness is all it takes to give you hope again.” — Randa Abdel-Fattah
- “We’re here for a reason. I believe it is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark.” — Whoopi Goldberg
- “Shall we make a new rule of life from tonight: always to try to be a little kinder than is necessary?” — J.M. Barrie
- “Every small, unselfish action nudges the world into a better path.” — Robin Hobb
- “Voluntary service of others demands the best of which one is capable.” — Mahatma Gandhi
- “Kindness and love can pay for pain and suffering.” — Alan Paton
- “A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.” — Steve Maraboli
- “People shouldn’t have to earn kindness. They should have to earn cruelty.” — Maggie Stiefvater
Short Quotes for Kids
Short quotes about kindness make a big impact with just a few words. These are great quotes for kids. They’re perfect for things like flyers, banners, and social media posts where space is limited. These quotes might be short, but they are full of meaning:
- “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” — Dalai Lama
- “It takes courage to be kind.” — Maya Angelou
- “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” — Mahatma Gandhi
- “When words are both true and kind, they can change the world.” — Buddha
- “Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference.” — Helen James
- “If the world seems cold to you, kindle fires to warm it.” — Lucy Larcom
- “My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.” — Dalai Lama
- “Forget injuries; never forget kindness.” — Confucius
- “We rise by lifting others.” — Robert Ingersoll
- “It doesn't cost me anything to be kind.” — Paddington
- “In the end, only kindness matters.” — Jewel
- “In a gentle way, you can shake the world.” — Mahatma Gandhi
- “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.” — John Templeton
- “The only way to have a friend is to be one.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
- “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” — Aesop
Being Kind to Yourself Quotes
Being kind to yourself is more than just a nice thing to do, it’s great for your mental health and overall well-being. Research shows that kindness has powerful effects on your heart. When you practice balanced self-kindness, you might also find yourself healthier and living longer. Read these to manifest it!
- “If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete.” — Jack Kornfield
- “Be kind to yourself, it’s the best medicine to heal and grow.” — Aziz Farheen
- “Be kind to yourself this evening. Buy something for yourself. Treat yourself to a meal. Look at the mirror and give a smile to yourself.” — Yoko Ono
- “You’ve been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” — Louise L. Hay
- “You wouldn’t worry so much about what others think of you if you realized how seldom they do.” — Eleanor Roosevelt
- “Be kind to yourself so that you can be happy enough to be kind to the world.” — Misha Collins
- “What we say to ourselves in the privacy of our own minds matters.” — Marie Forleo
- “Be yourself. Everyone else is taken.” — Oscar Wilde
- “Be nice to yourself. It’s hard to be happy when someone is always mean to you all the time.” — Christine Arylo
- “Loving yourself starts with liking yourself, which starts with respecting yourself, which starts with thinking of yourself in positive ways.” — Jerry Corsten
Kindness Quotes for Animals
Feeling a bit shy or uneasy around people? Then just show kindness to animals. That is just as meaningful! Take it from these quotes:
- “You can judge a man’s true character by the way he treats his fellow animals.” — Paul McCartney
- “So often when you start talking about kindness to animals someone comments that starving and mistreated children should come first. The issue can’t be divided like that. It isn’t a choice between children and animals. It’s our duty to care for both. Kindness is the important thing. Kids and animals are our responsibility.” — Minnie Pearl
- “It takes nothing away from a human to be kind to an animal.” — Joaquin Phoenix
- “Compassion for animals is intimately associated with goodness of character, and it may be confidently asserted that he who is cruel to animals cannot be a good man.” — Arthur Schopenhauer, The Basis Of Morality
- “Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.” — Anatole France
- “True compassion is showing kindness towards animals, without expecting anything in return.” — Paul Oxton
- “Love of animals is a universal impulse, a common ground on which all of us may meet. By loving and understanding animals, perhaps we humans shall come to understand each other.” — Louis J. Camuti
- “We must remember that our actions towards animals reflect our humanity. It is our responsibility to be compassionate and kind.” —Velma Bronn Johnston
- “Animals have certain rights, as inalienable as those of man to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” —Caroline Earle White
- “I call my horses ‘divine mirrors’—they reflect back the emotions you put in. If you put in love and respect and kindness and curiosity, the horse will return that.” —Allan Hamilton
Practical Ways to Show Kindness Every Day
Practicing kindness daily can be simple and impactful. Here is how even you add some actions to your daily routine:
- Practice Good Manners: You can start by saying “thank you” to everyone you meet like clerks and family.
- Notice Others: Compliment a smile or outfit, and recognize others' efforts. It makes them feel valued.
- Send Encouraging Letters: A handwritten note can be a heartfelt gesture that stands out.
- Offer Help Proactively: Hold doors open or pay for someone’s meal. Small acts of help can mean a lot.
- Be Present: Give people your full attention. It shows you care about them.
- Give When You Can: Offer support or help with something they need. It makes a big difference.
- Reach Out “Just Because”: Call or visit someone to show you’re thinking of them.
Final Words
To sum it up, being kind is the essence of our soul and humanity. There’s a reason Publilius Syrus wrote “You can accomplish by kindness what you cannot by force” and Leo Buscaglia said, “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.”. Therefore, being kind should come to us as second nature! So, Have you been kind today?
FAQs
1. What is the golden rule of kindness quotes?
“Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” –Jesus
2. What is a modern quote about kindness?
“When given the choice between being right or being kind choose kind.” – Dr. Wayne W. Dyer (American philosopher)
3. What is the kindness chain quote?
“Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together.”. –Johann Wolfgang Van Goethe
