--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you make your best effort to be…" description: "\"If you make your best effort to be kinder, nurture compassion, make the world a better place, then you can say 'At least I've done my best.\" — Dalai Lama" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/779/dalai-lama-89_ability_if-you-make-your-best-effort-to-be-kinde_338123.jpg" --- # If you make your best effort to be kinder, nurture… ![“If you make your best effort to be kinder, nurture compassion, make the world a better place, then you can say 'At least I've done my best.” quote by Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/779/dalai-lama-89_ability_if-you-make-your-best-effort-to-be-kinde_338123.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/779/dalai-lama-89_ability_if-you-make-your-best-effort-to-be-kinde_338123.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/779/dalai-lama-89_ability_if-you-make-your-best-effort-to-be-kinde_338123.jpg) > “If you make your best effort to be kinder, nurture compassion, make the world a better place, then you can say 'At least I've done my best.” [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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. Making a sincere effort to be kinder and nurture compassion creates a better world and lets you feel you’ve done your best. **In simple terms:** Kindness and compassion improve the world and give personal satisfaction. Key Takeaway Practice daily kindness. Themes compassion kindness self‑improvement Mood hopeful reflective Type motivational ethical When to use this quote - volunteering - family interactions - workplace culture Key Concepts moral philosophy psychology social impact Questions to Reflect On - What small act of kindness can you do today? - How do you recharge after giving care? A Different Perspective Compassion can be tiring without self‑care. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Ability](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) [Better place](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-place/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Effort](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effort/) [Hard work](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hard-work/) [Nurture](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nurture/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [By compassion we make others' misery our own, and so, by relieving them, we relieve ourselves also.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/by-compassion-we-make-others-misery-our-own-and-so-by-relieving-them/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [We're being asked to bring our humanness along in holding that love and compassion for ourselves as we make our way through this energetic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-mccormick-day/we-re-being-asked-to-bring-our-humanness-along-in-holding-that-love/) [Christine McCormick Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-mccormick-day/) > [It is lack of love for ourselves that inhibits our compassion toward others. If we make friends with ourselves, then there is no obstacle…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-lack-of-love-for-ourselves-that-inhibits-our-compassion-toward/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Make a strong and permanent commitment to invest your talents only in pursuits that deserve your best efforts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nido-r-qubein/make-a-strong-and-permanent-commitment-to-invest-your-talents-only-in/) [Nido R Qubein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nido-r-qubein/) > [Every time you compete, try harder to improve on your last performance. Give nothing short of your very best effort.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elgin-baylor/every-time-you-compete-try-harder-to-improve-on-your-last-performance/) Elgin Baylor > [I agree that one can't dispense with the reins and the whip altogether, for knaves find their way even into literature, but no thinking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-chekhov/i-agree-that-one-can-t-dispense-with-the-reins-and-the-whip/) [Anton Chekhov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-chekhov/) > [You can only do what ONLY YOU can do. Do that. The universe will configure around your very best efforts. Willingly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/danielle-laporte/you-can-only-do-what-only-you-can-do-do-that-the-universe-will/) [Danielle LaPorte](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/danielle-laporte/) > [Success is a process for all of us, and as long as you are making consistent progress towards your goals - sincerely giving your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hal-elrod/success-is-a-process-for-all-of-us-and-as-long-as-you-are-making/) [Hal Elrod](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hal-elrod/) > [Leadership is the ability to encourage the best efforts of others in working toward a desirable goal.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/spencer-w-kimball/leadership-is-the-ability-to-encourage-the-best-efforts-of-others-in/) [Spencer W. Kimball](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/spencer-w-kimball/) > [The best effort of a fine person is felt after we have left their presence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/the-best-effort-of-a-fine-person-is-felt-after-we-have-left-their/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [If people give me a year or two of their best effort, then I am their friend for life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charlie-trotter/if-people-give-me-a-year-or-two-of-their-best-effort-then-i-am-their/) [Charlie Trotter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charlie-trotter/) > [With the empowerment of an advanced Teacher, and your own best efforts, you will be able to explore the mysteries of knowledge that lead…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/with-the-empowerment-of-an-advanced-teacher-and-your-own-best-efforts/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [If it's worth doing, it's worth doing well.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/if-it-s-worth-doing-it-s-worth-doing-well/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [Occupy yourself with what's in your life now. Address those situations and subjects as fully as possible with your best efforts. That is what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/occupy-yourself-with-what-s-in-your-life-now-address-those-situations/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Salvation is not some felicitous state to which we can lift ourselves by our own bootstraps after the contemplation of sufficiently good examples. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-farrar-capon/salvation-is-not-some-felicitous-state-to-which-we-can-lift-ourselves/) [Robert Farrar Capon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-farrar-capon/) ## 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.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/although-under-particular-circumstances-the-violence-method-any/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-are-a-number-of-qualities-which-are-important-for-mental-peace/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/in-the-interests-of-everyone-the-artist-had-a-responsibility-to-use/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/if-the-mind-is-dominated-by-hatred-the-best-part-of-the-brain-which/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [More compassionate mind, more sense of concern for other's well-being, is source of happiness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/more-compassionate-mind-more-sense-of-concern-for-other-s-well-being/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/everybody-loves-to-talk-about-calmness-and-peace-whether-in-a-family/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [The only "definitive truth" for Buddhism is the absolute negation of any one truth as the Definitive Truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/the-only-definitive-truth-for-buddhism-is-the-absolute-negation-of/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-can-change-society-change-humanity-by-changing-ourselves-as/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [I don't want to convert people to Buddhism — all major religions, when understood properly, have the same potential for good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-don-t-want-to-convert-people-to-buddhism-all-major-religions-when/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/there-is-no-way-to-escape-death-it-is-just-like-trying-to-escape-by/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-live-within-the-environment-so-that-directly-relates-with-our/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/my-belief-is-that-the-various-religious-traditions-have-great/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/when-we-think-carefully-we-see-that-the-brief-elation-we-experience/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/so-let-us-reflect-on-what-is-truly-of-value-in-life-what-gives/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [I am the source of my own suffering, because of the habits of my mind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/i-am-the-source-of-my-own-suffering-because-of-the-habits-of-my-mind/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) [Explore all 1,406 Dalai Lama quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) ## More Ability quotes > [I don't think there's a direct correlation between my sexuality and my skiing ability. But I think because I was so concerned about it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gus-kenworthy/i-don-t-think-there-s-a-direct-correlation-between-my-sexuality-and/) [Gus Kenworthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gus-kenworthy/) > [“the importance of ability. The things that make a great job great, I discovered, are rare and valuable. If you want them in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-newport/the-importance-of-ability-the-things-that-make-a-great-job-great-i/) [Cal Newport](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-newport/) > [Ambition drives you on, ability certainly helps, but the fickle finger of fate and luck are great things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergus-henderson/ambition-drives-you-on-ability-certainly-helps-but-the-fickle-finger/) [Fergus Henderson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergus-henderson/) > [The ability of the gospel to unite us on common strengths and common truths is one of the great miracles . . . of the gospel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-r-holland/the-ability-of-the-gospel-to-unite-us-on-common-strengths-and-common/) [Jeffrey R. Holland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-r-holland/) > [Maybe law enforcement would like the ability to turn on the camera on your Mac.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-cook/maybe-law-enforcement-would-like-the-ability-to-turn-on-the-camera-on/) [Tim Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-cook/) > [I've seen guys come along with more ability - they've been faster or bigger or stronger - but they never worked hard to develop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-largent/i-ve-seen-guys-come-along-with-more-ability-they-ve-been-faster-or/) [Steve Largent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-largent/) > [The youth of India has the strength to move the entire World with a click of a mouse, we have generated that ability!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/the-youth-of-india-has-the-strength-to-move-the-entire-world-with-a/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Time hath not yet so dried this blood of mine, Nor age so eat up my invention, Nor fortune made such havoc of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/time-hath-not-yet-so-dried-this-blood-of-mine-nor-age-so-eat-up-my/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [An absolutely necessary part of a writer's equipment, almost as necessary as talent, is the ability to stand up under punishment, both the punishment…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irwin-shaw/an-absolutely-necessary-part-of-a-writer-s-equipment-almost-as/) [Irwin Shaw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irwin-shaw/) > [I'd be more frightened by not using whatever abilities I'd been given. I'd be more frightened by procrastination and laziness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/denzel-washington/i-d-be-more-frightened-by-not-using-whatever-abilities-i-d-been-given/) [Denzel Washington](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/denzel-washington/) > [Bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Take what I cannot give: my heart, body, thoughts, time, abilities, money, health, strength,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-prentiss/bring-into-captivity-every-thought-to-the-obedience-of-christ-take/) [Elizabeth Prentiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-prentiss/) > [You can only do the work to the very best of your ability.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christine-baranski/you-can-only-do-the-work-to-the-very-best-of-your-ability/) [Christine Baranski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christine-baranski/) > [Judge a person not by his ability to make money but by his ability to retain it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vikrant-parsai/judge-a-person-not-by-his-ability-to-make-money-but-by-his-ability-to/) [Vikrant Parsai](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vikrant-parsai/) > [Balance is the ability to be happy in the midst of the most chaotic or even boring or transient circumstance.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frederick-lenz/balance-is-the-ability-to-be-happy-in-the-midst-of-the-most-chaotic/) [Frederick Lenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frederick-lenz/) > [Bobby had faith in my ability as a singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-london/bobby-had-faith-in-my-ability-as-a-singer/) [Julie London](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-london/) [Browse all 9,990 Ability quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ability/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you make your best effort to be kinder, nurture compassion, make the world a better place, then you can say 'At least I've done my best.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dalai Lama" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/if-you-make-your-best-effort-to-be-kinder-nurture-compassion-make-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Ability" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/if-you-make-your-best-effort-to-be-kinder-nurture-compassion-make-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/779/dalai-lama-89_ability_if-you-make-your-best-effort-to-be-kinde_338123.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/779/dalai-lama-89_ability_if-you-make-your-best-effort-to-be-kinde_338123.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/779/dalai-lama-89_ability_if-you-make-your-best-effort-to-be-kinde_338123.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If you make your best effort to be kinder, nurture compassion, make the world a better place, then you can…” — Dalai Lama", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Dalai Lama", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "If you make your best effort...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/if-you-make-your-best-effort-to-be-kinder-nurture-compassion-make-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/if-you-make-your-best-effort-to-be-kinder-nurture-compassion-make-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```