--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We need a little more compassion, and if…" description: "\"We need a little more compassion, and if we cannot have it, then no politician or even a magician can save the planet.\" — Dalai Lama" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/584/dalai-lama-89_compassion_we-need-a-little-more-compassion-and-if_3225952.jpg" --- # We need a little more compassion, and if we cannot have… ![“We need a little more compassion, and if we cannot have it, then no politician or even a magician can save the planet.” quote by Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/584/dalai-lama-89_compassion_we-need-a-little-more-compassion-and-if_3225952.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/584/dalai-lama-89_compassion_we-need-a-little-more-compassion-and-if_3225952.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/584/dalai-lama-89_compassion_we-need-a-little-more-compassion-and-if_3225952.jpg) > “We need a little more compassion, and if we cannot have it, then no politician or even a magician can save the planet.” [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. The statement emphasizes that compassion is essential for global survival, and without it, even powerful leaders cannot solve planetary crises. **In simple terms:** Compassion is needed to save the world; without it, no leader can help. Key Takeaway Cultivate compassion personally and socially. Themes environment compassion leadership global crisis humanity Mood hopeful inspirational urgent Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - community building - education - policy making - personal meditation Key Concepts ethics interdependence psychology politics Questions to Reflect On - How can you practice compassion in daily life? - What policies could embed compassion into governance? A Different Perspective Compassion alone may not address systemic issues without concrete action. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Magician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/magician/) [Politician](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politician/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Save the planet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/save-the-planet/) ## Related quotes > [We need enlightenment, not just individually but collectively, to save the planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nhat-hanh/we-need-enlightenment-not-just-individually-but-collectively-to-save/) [Nhat Hanh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nhat-hanh/) > [What if a small group of world leaders were to conclude that the principal risk to the Earth comes from the actions of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-strong/what-if-a-small-group-of-world-leaders-were-to-conclude-that-the/) [Maurice Strong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-strong/) > [Songs wont save the planet, but neither will books or speeches. Songs are sneaky things; they can slip across borders.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pete-seeger/songs-wont-save-the-planet-but-neither-will-books-or-speeches-songs/) [Pete Seeger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pete-seeger/) > [Back in 2005, when I was Christopher Eccleston, we saw one of the largest increases on record, of CO2 in the atmosphere. Unless we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-tennant/back-in-2005-when-i-was-christopher-eccleston-we-saw-one-of-the/) [David Tennant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-tennant/) > [It does not cost the world to save the planet,](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ottmar-edenhofer/it-does-not-cost-the-world-to-save-the-planet/) [Ottmar Edenhofer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ottmar-edenhofer/) > [I don't think the world will destroy itself in a nuclear cataclysm. On the contrary, we have the capacity to save ourselves and save…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/isabel-allende/i-don-t-think-the-world-will-destroy-itself-in-a-nuclear-cataclysm-on/) [Isabel Allende](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/isabel-allende/) > [Personally, I believe a rocking hammock, a good cigar, and a tall gin-and-tonic is the way to save the planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/p-j-o-rourke/personally-i-believe-a-rocking-hammock-a-good-cigar-and-a-tall-gin/) [P. J. O'Rourke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/p-j-o-rourke/) > [Save the planet? The planet is just fine. The people are just fucked.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/save-the-planet-the-planet-is-just-fine-the-people-are-just-fucked/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [When we have peace, then we have a chance to save the planet. But if we are not united in peace, if we do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/when-we-have-peace-then-we-have-a-chance-to-save-the-planet-but-if-we/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I admire your determination to save the planet despite your inability to save a houseplant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-admire-your-determination-to-save-the-planet-despite-your-inability/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [If we save the planet and have a society of inequality, we wouldn't have saved much.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-h-cone/if-we-save-the-planet-and-have-a-society-of-inequality-we-wouldn-t/) [James H. Cone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-h-cone/) > [I was taught from a young age that I had to serve, so that turned into me thinking I had to save the planet.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alanis-morissette/i-was-taught-from-a-young-age-that-i-had-to-serve-so-that-turned-into/) [Alanis Morissette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alanis-morissette/) > [I am involved with so many charitable organizations. Lung Cancer because of my dad, Breast Cancer because as a woman and mother of two…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lois-robbins/i-am-involved-with-so-many-charitable-organizations-lung-cancer/) Lois Robbins > [So often we talk about saving the planet, but what we really mean is to save the planet the way it is, so we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dave-matthews/so-often-we-talk-about-saving-the-planet-but-what-we-really-mean-is/) [Dave Matthews](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dave-matthews/) > [If anyone wants to save the planet, all they have to do is just stop eating meat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-mccartney/if-anyone-wants-to-save-the-planet-all-they-have-to-do-is-just-stop/) [Paul McCartney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-mccartney/) ## 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 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,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-addison/half-the-misery-of-human-life-might-be-extinguished-if-men-would/) [Joseph Addison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-addison/) > [“I fight with love and kindness as my weapons and compassion as my defense.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/i-fight-with-love-and-kindness-as-my-weapons-and-compassion-as-my/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/i-really-enjoy-making-people-laugh-i-ve-discovered-that-s-a-great/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [“If you refuse to use physical force, then you will be at the mercy of your oppressor!”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/segun-magbagbeola/if-you-refuse-to-use-physical-force-then-you-will-be-at-the-mercy-of/) 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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/for-some-reason-we-are-truly-convinced-that-if-we-criticize-ourselves/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [I could not have slept tonight if I had left that helpless little creature to perish on the ground.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abraham-lincoln/i-could-not-have-slept-tonight-if-i-had-left-that-helpless-little/) [Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/r-c-sproul/we-are-puzzled-and-bewildered-whenever-we-see-suffering-in-this-world/) [R. C. Sproul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/r-c-sproul/) > [“Helpers in every corner, helpers in every hood. That's how we'll make the move, to reform from rude.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/helpers-in-every-corner-helpers-in-every-hood-that-s-how-we-ll-make/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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…](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/) > [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…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/may-the-gods-have-mercy-on-whoever-pisses-them-off-because-zarek-and/) [Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/) > [When you need empathy, you cannot give empathy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marshall-b-rosenberg/when-you-need-empathy-you-cannot-give-empathy/) [Marshall B. Rosenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/but-victimhood-was-seductive-a-release-from-responsibility-and-caring/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“No one has any right to tell you that the way you perceive yourself is wrong. Because by doing so, they also discourage the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamand-kojouri/no-one-has-any-right-to-tell-you-that-the-way-you-perceive-yourself/) [Kamand Kojouri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamand-kojouri/) > [“la ilaha ilallah muhammadun rasulullah, alaihi salatullah wa alihi wal ahibba "shine your mercy like the sun, and be gracious as the earth let…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talib-al-habib/la-ilaha-ilallah-muhammadun-rasulullah-alaihi-salatullah-wa-alihi-wal/) Talib al Habib > [The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-darwin/the-love-for-all-living-creatures-is-the-most-noble-attribute-of-man/) [Charles Darwin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-darwin/) [Browse all 9,892 Compassion quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "We need a little more compassion, and if we cannot have it, then no politician or even a magician can save the planet.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dalai Lama" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-need-a-little-more-compassion-and-if-we-cannot-have-it-then-no/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Compassion" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-need-a-little-more-compassion-and-if-we-cannot-have-it-then-no/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/584/dalai-lama-89_compassion_we-need-a-little-more-compassion-and-if_3225952.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/584/dalai-lama-89_compassion_we-need-a-little-more-compassion-and-if_3225952.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/584/dalai-lama-89_compassion_we-need-a-little-more-compassion-and-if_3225952.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We need a little more compassion, and if we cannot have it, then no politician or even a magician can save…” — 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": "We need a little more compassion,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-need-a-little-more-compassion-and-if-we-cannot-have-it-then-no/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/we-need-a-little-more-compassion-and-if-we-cannot-have-it-then-no/#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 } } ] } ```