55 Kindness Quotes To Inspire And Uplift

The power of kindness has been discussed for centuries. From ancient philosphers to modern musings from authors and actors, there is no shortage of wisdom on the power of being kind. Whether you need inspiration for yourself, your kids, or the classroom, these kindness quotes showcase what it means to embrace empathy, generosity, and goodwill towards everyone we meet.

In a world where kindness sometimes feels like a rare commodity, let this collection of 55 kindness quotes serve as a strong reminder of the profound impact kindness can have on our lives and the lives of others when we stop and take a moment to care.

Deep Kindness Quotes

• “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” — Edith Wharton
• “There is no exercise better for the heart than reaching down and lifting people up.” — John Holmes
• “Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” ― Lao-Tzu
• “It does not matter how long you are spending on the earth, how much money you have gathered or how much attention you have received. It is the amount of positive vibration you have radiated in life that matters.” ― Amit Ray
• “The very nature of kindness is to spread. If you are kind to others, today they will be kind to you, and tomorrow to somebody else.”  — Sri Chonmony
• “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson
• “The ideals which have always shone before me and filled me with joy are goodness, beauty, and truth.” ― Albert Einstein
• “Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle.”  — Charles Glassman
• “A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.” — Joseph Joubert
• “Because that’s what kindness is. It’s not doing something for someone else because they can’t, but because you can.”  — Andrew Iskander
• “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
• “If you have kindness in your heart, you offer acts of kindness to touch the hearts of others wherever you go—whether they are random or planned. Kindness becomes a way of life.”  — Roy T. Bennett
• “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.” — Sir Winston Churchill
• “And so I try to be kind to everything I see, and in everything I see, I see him.” ― Hanya Yanagihara
• “When you are joyful, when you say yes to life and have fun and project positivity all around you, you become a sun in the center of every constellation, and people want to be near you.” ― Shannon L. Alder

Short Quotes About Kindness 

• “Love and kindness go hand in hand.”  — Marian Keyes
• “For it is in giving that we receive.” ― St. Francis of Assisi
• “Never be so busy as not to think of others.” — Mother Teresa
• “Be a little kinder than you have to.” ― E. Lockhart
• “Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” — Dalai Lama
• “The simple act of caring is heroic.”  — Edward Albert
• “Always try to be a little kinder than is necessary.”  — J.M. Barrie
• “A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” — William Arthur Ward
• “When words are both true and kind, they can change the world.” — Buddha
• “It takes strength to be kind; it’s not a weakness”  — Daniel Lubetzky
• “Kindness is a sort of love without being love.”  — Susan Hill
• “I have always depended on the kindness of strangers.” — Tennessee Williams
• "​Kindness is wisdom.”  — Philip James Bailey
• “A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.” — William Arthur Ward

Kindness Quotes For Students

• “It’s very important to choose kindness and stop bullying.” — Jacob Tremblay
• “Treat everyone with politeness and kindness, not because they are nice, but because you are.” ― Roy T. Bennett
• “Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness.” ― R.J. Palacio
• “Work hard, be kind, and amazing things will happen.” — Conan O’Brien
• “Kind hearts are the gardens. Kind thoughts are the roots. Kind words are the blossoms. Kind deeds are the fruits.” — Kirpal Singh
• “But remember, boy, that a kind act can sometimes be as powerful as a sword.” ― Rick Riordan
• “Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind.” ― Eric Hoffer
• “We should model the kindness we want to see.” ― Brene Brown
• “Good words bring good feelings to the heart. Speak with kindness, always.” ― Rod Williams
• “The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” ― Oscar Wilde

Famous Kindness Quotes

• “You can always, always give something, even if it is only kindness!” ― Anne Frank
• “If you want to lift yourself up, lift up someone else.” ― Booker T. Washington
• “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” ― Aesop
• “We rise by lifting others.” ― Robert Ingersoll
• “Act with kindness, but do not expect gratitude.” ― Confucius
• “A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” ― Amelia Earhart
• “Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people.”― Roy T. Bennett
• “Kindness is the only service that will stand the storm of life and not wash out.” ― Abraham Lincoln
• “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.” ― Plato
• “This is my simple religion. No need for temples. No need for complicated philosophy. Your own mind, your own heart is the temple. Your philosophy is simple kindness.” ― Dalai Lama XIV
• “I have found that it is the small everyday deed of ordinary folks that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.” ― J.R.R. Tolkien

Power Of Kindness Quotes

• "People shouldn't have to earn kindness. They should have to earn cruelty." ― Maggie Stiefvater
• "All I'm saying is, kindness don't have no boundaries." ― Kathryn Stockett
• "We cannot tell the precise moment when friendship is formed. As in filling a vessel drop by drop, there is at last a drop which makes it run over; so in a series of kindnesses there is at last one which makes the heart run over." ― Ray Bradbury
• "You don't always have to chop with the sword of truth. You can point with it too." ― Anne Lamott
• "What virtue is there in a man who demonstrates goodness because he has been bred to it? It is his habit from youth. But a man who has known unkindness and want, for him to be kind and charitable to those who have been the cause of his misfortunes, that is a virtuous man." ― Deanna Raybourn