A friend told me of visiting the Dalai Lama in India and…
“A friend told me of visiting the Dalai Lama in India and asking him for a succinct definition of compassion. She prefaced her question by describing how heart-stricken she'd felt when, earlier that day, she'd seen a man in the street beating a mangy stray dog with a stick. "Compassion," the Dalai Lama told her, "is when you feel as sorry for the man as you do for the dog."”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Compassion includes empathy for both humans and animals, recognizing shared suffering.
In simple terms: Feeling sorry for all beings.
Key Takeaway
Extend empathy beyond self.
Themes
compassion
empathy
interconnectedness
animal welfare
humanity
Mood
inspirational
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
motivational
When to use this quote
- volunteering
- animal rescue
- conflict resolution
Key Concepts
moral philosophy
psychology
ethical behavior
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you practice compassion daily?
- What limits your empathy?
A Different Perspective
May be hard to balance self‑care.