I try to treat whoever I meet as an old friend. This gives…

“I try to treat whoever I meet as an old friend. This gives me a genuine feeling of happiness. It is the practice of compassion.”

Dalai Lama

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Treating everyone like an old friend fosters genuine happiness and compassion.

In simple terms: Seeing others as friends creates joy.

Key Takeaway

Practice compassion daily.

Themes

compassion happiness relationships

Mood

warm empathetic

Type

inspirational philosophical

When to use this quote

meeting new people
team building
customer service
volunteering

Key Concepts

mindfulness empathy social connection

Questions to Reflect On

How can you show compassion to a difficult person?
What small act can you do today?

A Different Perspective

May feel forced with strangers; not always reciprocated.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

Compassion Feelings Friendship Giving Happiness Old friend Old friends Practice

More by Dalai Lama

Although under particular circumstances, the violence method - any method - can be justified, nevertheless once you commit violence, then counterviolence will be returned.

Dalai Lama

There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…

Dalai Lama

In the interests of everyone the artist had a responsibility to use his medium well. In the Tibetan culture, most of the paintings are…

Dalai Lama

If the mind is dominated by hatred, the best part of the brain, which is used to judge right and wrong, does not function…

Dalai Lama

More compassionate mind, more sense of concern for other's well-being, is source of happiness.

Dalai Lama

Everybody loves to talk about calmness and peace, whether in a family, national, or international context, but without inner peace how can we make…

Dalai Lama

The only "definitive truth" for Buddhism is the absolute negation of any one truth as the Definitive Truth.

Dalai Lama

We can change society, change humanity by changing ourselves as individuals. By cultivating inner values, we can change our own lives and those of…

Dalai Lama

I don't want to convert people to Buddhism — all major religions, when understood properly, have the same potential for good.

Dalai Lama

There is no way to escape death, it is just like trying to escape by four great mountains touching sky. There is no escape…

Dalai Lama

We live within the environment. So that directly relates with our survival, our life. So through that way, more concern of well being of…

Dalai Lama

My belief is that the various religious traditions have great potential to increase compassion, the sense of caring for one another, and the spirit…

Dalai Lama

When we think carefully, we see that the brief elation we experience when appeasing sensual impulses may not be very different from what the…

Dalai Lama

“So let us reflect on what is truly of value in life, what gives meaning to our lives, and set our priorities on the…

Dalai Lama

I am the source of my own suffering, because of the habits of my mind.

Dalai Lama

Explore all 1,406 Dalai Lama quotes

More Compassion quotes

Half the misery of human life might be extinguished if men would alleviate the general curse they lie under by mutual offices of compassion,…

Joseph Addison

“I fight with love and kindness as my weapons and compassion as my defense.”

Debasish Mridha

I really enjoy making people laugh; I've discovered that's a great technique. That's as powerful as stirring their sorrow, stirring their compassion, because that…

Max Lucado

“If you refuse to use physical force, then you will be at the mercy of your oppressor!”

Segun Magbagbeola

For some reason, we are truly convinced that if we criticize ourselves, the criticism will lead to change. If we are harsh, we believe…

Geneen Roth

I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.

Abraham Lincoln

We are puzzled and bewildered whenever we see suffering in this world because we have become accustomed to the mercy and the long-suffering of…

R. C. Sproul

“Helpers in every corner, helpers in every hood. That's how we'll make the move, to reform from rude.”

Abhijit Naskar

There are a number of qualities which are important for mental peace, but from the little experience I have, I believe that one of…

Dalai Lama

May the gods have mercy on whoever pisses them off, because Zarek and Jericho will have none for them. (Madoc) You’d better be glad…

Sherrilyn Kenyon

When you need empathy, you cannot give empathy.

Marshall B. Rosenberg

But victimhood was seductive, a release from responsibility and caring. Fear would be transmuted into weary resignation; failure would no longer generate guilt but,…

Dean Koontz