“Now that I am old I admire kind people.” Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel

I am a collector of quotations on every conceivable theme. During the month of Elul each year I revisit my ever-expanding collection with particular focus on the midot, the moral and ethical virtues that are Judaism’s foundational values.

The virtue of loving-kindness (Hebrew – chesed) is one such midah, and one I learned early in my life by example from my father (z’l) who taught my brother and me to “always be kind.” When our father died so long ago, this was a lesson I took deeply to heart not only for its own sake, but because by being kind (I like to think) I become worthy to be his son. I try and emulate his kindness in everyone I encounter. 

I have in my collection pages and pages of quotations on the theme of kindness. I offer below a few of them:

When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.

-Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel 

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

A thoughtful act or a kind word may pass in a moment, but the warmth and care behind it stay in the heart forever.

-Marjolein Bastin

Always be kind!

-Leon Rosove

The best portions of a good person's life are little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and love.

-William Wordsworth

You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.

–Ralph Waldo Emerson

Be kind because everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.

-Philo Judaeus

It is a bit embarrassing to have been concerned with the human problem all one's life and find at the end that one has no more to offer by way of advice than to try to be a little kinder.

-Aldous Huxley

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

Today I bent the truth to be kind, and I have no regret, for I am far surer of what is kind than I am of what is true.

-Robert Brault

The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.

–Oscar Wilde

Kindness is in our power, even when fondness is not.

-Samuel Johnson

I expect to pass through this world but once; any good thing therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.

-Étienne de Grellet du Mabillier

For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.

-Audrey Hepburn