QuoteProject
If every person in this room made it a rule that wherever you are, whenever you can, you will try to act a little kinder than is necessary - the world really would be a better place. And if you do this, if you act just a little kinder than is necessary, someone else, somewhere, someday, may recognize in you, in every single one of you, the face of God.
R. J. Palacio
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

Acting with kindness can create a positive impact on the world around us.

This quote emphasizes the importance of intentional kindness in everyday life. By committing to act a little kinder than necessary, individuals can contribute to a more compassionate and harmonious world, ultimately leading to greater recognition of shared humanity and divinity in one another.

Themes

KindnessCompassionHumanityImpactPositivity

In practice

Example use cases

In a speech about community service, one might reference this quote to inspire kindness among volunteers.

More from R. J. Palacio

Kinder than is necessary. Because it's not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed.
R. J. PalacioRead
Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness.
R. J. PalacioRead
Whenever there is a conflict between being right and being kind, if possible, choose being kind.
R. J. PalacioRead
The best way to measure how much you've grown isn't by inches or the number of laps you can now run around the track or even your grade point average - though those things are important, to be sure. It's what you've done with your time, how you've chosen to spend your days, and whom you have touched this year. That, to me, is the greatest measure of success.
R. J. PalacioRead

Similar quotes

If you're in a position where you can help other people, there is nothing better in life than helping other people. Happy Thanksgiving, everybody!
Ellen DegeneresRead
Then the musical instruments appeared. Dad’s snare drum from the house, Henry’s guitar from his car, Adam’s spare guitar from my room. Everyone was jamming together, singing songs: Dad’s songs, Adam’s songs, old Clash songs, old Wipers songs. Teddy was dancing around, the blond of his hair reflecting the golden flames. I remember watching it all and getting that tickling in my chest and thinking to myself: This is what happiness feels like.
Gayle FormanRead
Maman used to say that you can always find something to be happy about. In my prison, when the sky turned red and a new day slipped into my cell, I found out that she was right.
Albert CamusRead
Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace, and gratitude.
Denis WaitleyRead
There is an hour wherein a man might be happy all his life, could he find it.
George HerbertRead
Authentic happiness is not linked to an activity, it is a state of being.
Matthieu RicardRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.