Whether you are in need of kindness yourself or want some guidance on how to be more kind, here are some wise words to get you started.
When life gets in the way and we find ourselves overwhelmed with its challenges, it can be difficult to remember the importance of being kind to our fellow human beings and to ourselves. Worry not for in this article we will provide you with a list of quotes about kindness that can help boost you to be just a little bit kinder to the people around you. So without further ado, let’s get inspired.
- “If you see someone without a smile, give them yours” – Dolly Parton
- “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” – Booker T. Washington
- “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” – The 14th Dalai Lama.
- “A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.” – Steve Maraboli
- “Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt.
- “Always be a little kinder than necessary.” – James M. Barrie
- “To err on the side of kindness is seldom an error.” – Liz Armbruster
- “When words are both true and kind, they can change the world.” – Buddha
- “Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind.” – Eric Hoffer
- “Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
- “Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life.” – Jackie Chan
- “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” – Philo of Alexandria
- “Kind words don’t cost much. Yet they accomplish much.” – Blaise Pasca
- “We are all neighbors. Be kind. Be gentle.” – Clemantine Wamariya
- “Never lose a chance of saying a kind word.” – William Makepeace Thackeray
- “Try to be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.” – Maya Angelou
- “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” – Aesop
- “We should model the kindness we want to see.” – Brené Brown
- “Be nice to strangers. Be nice even when it doesn’t matter.” – Sam Altman
- “There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.” – Vincent Van Gogh
- “Compassion isn’t about solutions. It’s about giving all the love that you’ve got.” – Cheryl Strayed.
- “A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.” – Joseph Joubert
- “What we all have in common is an appreciation of kindness and compassion; all the religions have this. Love. We all lean towards love.” – Richard Gere
- “Whatever possession we gain by our sword cannot be sure or lasting, but the love gained by kindness and moderation is certain and durable.” – Alexander the Great
- “The best portion of a good man’s life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.” – William Wordsworth
- “Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.” – Dalai Lama
- “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
- “Every act of kindness is a piece of love we leave behind.” – Paul Williams
- “Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.” – Barbara De Angelis
- “Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” – Lao Tzu
- We can’t heal the world today, but we can begin with a voice of compassion, a heart of love, an act of kindness.” – Mary Davis
- “Kindness is loving yourself enough to love those around you.” – Raktivist
- Self-compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others. – Christopher Germer
- “Remember, you have been criticizing yourself for years and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” – Louise L. Hay
- “Drop the people who do not value you, respect you. Life has infinite horizons. Accept yourself, love yourself, and move forward.” – Amit Ray
- “Be kind to your body, gentle with your mind and patient with your heart. Stay true to your spirit, cherish your soul and never doubt yourself. You are still becoming, my love, and there is no one more deserving of the nurturing grace of your love.” – Becca Lee
- “When you say, ‘Yes’ to others make sure you are not saying ‘No’ to yourself.” – Paulo Coelho
- “You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” – Sharon Salzberg
- “Let go of the harsh self-judgment, and start replacing those with loving thoughts about yourself. Learn to be kind to yourself, and your outside world will change as well.” – Anita Moorjani
- “Learn to be kind to yourself. It’s hard to be happy when there’s always someone being mean to you.” – Christine Arylo
In Sum
How did it feel to read over these quotes? Did any of these words catch your eye? Are there any quotes you wrote down to remember and recite later? In a world where the light can sometimes feel like it is dimming, we hope these words of kindness offered a bright light to your day. As many of these quotes suggested, kindness is a domino effect. We hope you take the chance to show kindness to yourself and the people around you in hopes that a small act travels far and wide.
Wendi Lev, LCSW, ACSW, CADC 7/09/2025