November: Empathy

2023

A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.

Albert Einstein (1879-1955) Germany

2022

Adopting an attitude of universal responsibility is essentially a personal matter. The real proof of compassion lies not in what is said in abstract discussions, but in how one behaves in everyday life.

Dalai Lama (1935 - ) China

2021

The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen.

Elisabeth Kübler-Ross (1926-2004) Switzerland

2020

If you aren't humble, whatever empathy you claim is false and probably results from some arrogance or the desire to control. But true empathy is rooted in humility and the understanding that there are many people with as much to contribute in life as you.

Anand Mahindra (1955 - ) India

2019

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

Pema Chödrön (1936 - ) USA

2018

Everything we do is in service of our needs. When this one concept is applied to our view of others, we'll see that we have no real enemies, that what others do to us is the best possible thing they know to do to get their needs met.

Marshall Rosenberg (1934 – 2015) USA

2017

Everything we do is in service of our needs. When this one concept is applied to our view of others, we'll see that we have no real enemies, that what others do to us is the best possible thing they know to do to get their needs met.

Marshall Rosenberg (1934 – 2015) USA

2016

Whenever you are about to find fault with someone, ask yourself the following question: What fault of mine most nearly resembles the one I am about to criticize?

Marcus Aurelius (121AD – 180 AD)

2015

If you don’t love yourself, you cannot love others. You will not be able to love others. If you have no compassion for yourself then you are not able of developing compassion for others.

Dalai Lama (1935 - ) China

2014

Some people think only intellect counts: knowing how to solve problems, knowing how to get by, knowing how to identify an advantage and seize it. But the functions of intellect are insufficient without courage, love, friendship, compassion and empathy.

Anonymous

2013

The more we know, the better we forgive. Those who feel deeply feel for all living beings.

Madame de Stael (1766 – 1817) France

2012

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.

Leo Buscaglia (1924 – 1998) USA

2011

How we see and feel about other people, so we want to be seen and felt about.

Hugo von Hofmannsthal (1874 – 1929) Austria

The most difficult thing is the decision to act, the rest is merely tenacity. The fears are paper tigers. You can do anything you decide to do. You can act to change and control your life; and the procedure, the process is its own reward.

Amelia Earhart (1897 – 1937) USA