Action Quote by Dalai Lama
“In our concern for others, we worry less about ourselves. When we worry less about ourselves an experience of our own suffering is less intense. What does this tell us? Firstly, because our every action has a universal dimension, a potential impact on others' happiness, ethics are necessary as a means to ensure that we do not harm others. Secondly, it tells us that genuine happiness consists in those spiritual qualities of love, compassion, patience, tolerance and forgiveness and so on. For it is these which provide both for our happiness and others' happiness.”
About This Quote
Source Speech: Public address, Dalai Lama, 2000s
Focusing on others reduces self‑centered suffering and highlights ethical responsibility for collective happiness.
In simple terms: Caring for others eases our own pain and promotes moral action.
Practice compassion to ease both self and others.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- volunteering
- conflict resolution
- personal growth
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How does helping others change your own suffering?
- What ethical duties arise from shared impact?
Self‑focus can still be necessary for self‑care.