All beings wish for happiness, so extend your compassion…

“All beings wish for happiness, so extend your compassion to all.”

Gautama Buddha

About This Quote

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

Compassion should be universal, extending to all sentient beings, because all share the desire for happiness.

In simple terms: Wish happiness for everyone.

Key Takeaway

Practice universal compassion daily.

Themes

ethics compassion spirituality humanity happiness

Mood

calm hopeful inspirational

Type

philosophical spiritual

When to use this quote

meditation
conflict resolution
community service
education
healthcare

Key Concepts

Interconnectedness altruism mindfulness

Questions to Reflect On

How can we cultivate compassion for adversaries?
What practices deepen universal empathy?

A Different Perspective

Compassion can be challenging when faced with hostility.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Gautama Buddha

Before you've seen it, and when you first see it, it is the greatest thing; afterwards, it is ordinary.

Gautama Buddha

One of his students asked Buddha, "Are you the Messiah?" "No," answered Buddha. "Then are you a healer?" "No," Buddha replied. "Then are you…

Gautama Buddha

Give thanks for what had been given to you, However little. Be pure, never falter.

Gautama Buddha

For fear of causing terror to living beings, Mahamati, let the Bodhisattva who is disciplining himself to attain compassion, refrain from eating flesh.

Gautama Buddha

Be lamps unto yourselves. Be refuges unto yourselves. Take yourself no external refuge. Hold fast to the truth as a lamp. Hold fast to…

Gautama Buddha

Speak only the speech that neither torments self nor does harm to others. That speech is truly well spoken.

Gautama Buddha

Pain is the outcome of sin.

Gautama Buddha

It is because I perceive the danger in the practice of mystic wonders, that I loath, abhor, and am ashamed thereof.

Gautama Buddha

So too, monks, I saw the ancient path, the ancient road traveled by the Perfectly Enlightened Ones of the past. And what is that…

Gautama Buddha

If one is the master of oneself, one is the resort one can depend on; therefore, one should control oneself of all.

Gautama Buddha

Watch the thought and its ways with care, and let it spring from love born out of concern for all beings.

Gautama Buddha

One is not low because of birth nor does birth make one holy. Deeds alone make one low, deeds alone make one holy.

Gautama Buddha

He who causes suffering shall suffer. There is no escape.

Gautama Buddha

If a person does not harm any living being...and does not kill or cause others to kill - that person is a true spiritual…

Gautama Buddha

The fool says, "These are my sons, this is my land, this is my money." In reality, the fool does not own himself, much…

Gautama Buddha

Explore all 1,043 Gautama Buddha 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