Kinder than is necessary. Because it's not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed.
R. J. PalacioRead
Whenever there is a conflict between being right and being kind, if possible, choose being kind.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Prioritize kindness over being right in conflicts when you can.
This quote emphasizes the importance of compassion and kindness in our interactions with others, especially during disagreements. It reminds us that winning an argument or proving our point is less valuable than maintaining harmony and understanding in our relationships, advocating for a more empathetic approach when conflicts arise.
Themes
KindnessConflictRelationshipsCompassionUnderstanding
In practice
Example use cases
A teacher could use this quote during a discussion about how to handle disputes among students.
More from R. J. Palacio
All quotes →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. 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
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
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