--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you're self-compassionate, you'll tend…" description: "\"If you're self-compassionate, you'll tend to have higher self-esteem than if you're endlessly self-critical. And like high self-esteem - self-compassio..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88c/david-d-burns-4607_anxiety_if-you-re-self-compassionate-you-ll-tend_2774154.png" --- # If you're self-compassionate, you'll tend to have higher… ![“If you're self-compassionate, you'll tend to have higher self-esteem than if you're endlessly self-critical. And like high self-esteem - self-compassion is associated with significantly less anxiety and depression, as well as more happiness, optimism, and positive emotions.” quote by David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88c/david-d-burns-4607_anxiety_if-you-re-self-compassionate-you-ll-tend_2774154.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88c/david-d-burns-4607_anxiety_if-you-re-self-compassionate-you-ll-tend_2774154.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/88c/david-d-burns-4607_anxiety_if-you-re-self-compassionate-you-ll-tend_2774154.png) > “If you're self-compassionate, you'll tend to have higher self-esteem than if you're endlessly self-critical. And like high self-esteem - self-compassion is associated with significantly less anxiety and depression, as well as more happiness, optimism, and positive emotions.” [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑compassion builds higher self‑esteem and reduces anxiety, depression, and negativity. **In simple terms:** Being kind to yourself improves mental health. Key Takeaway Practice self‑compassion daily. Themes mental health self‑esteem compassion Mood hopeful thoughtful Type therapeutic inspirational When to use this quote - therapy sessions - daily journaling - stressful work - personal setbacks Key Concepts cognitive therapy mindfulness Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance self‑compassion with growth? - When is constructive self‑criticism useful? A Different Perspective Self‑criticism can sometimes motivate improvement. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Anxiety](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) [Anxiety And Depression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety-and-depression/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Compassion Associated](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion-associated-3264354/) [Compassionate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassionate/) [Critical](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/critical/) [Emotion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/emotion/) [Esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/esteem/) [High self esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/high-self-esteem/) [Higher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/higher/) [Higher self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/higher-self/) [Ifs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ifs/) [Optimism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/optimism/) [Positive emotions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/positive-emotions/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-compassion/) [Self Compassionate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-compassionate-1619188/) [Self esteem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-esteem/) [Wells](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wells/) ## Related quotes > [“One of the most robust and consistent findings in the research literature is that people who are more self-compassionate tend be less anxious and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-neff/one-of-the-most-robust-and-consistent-findings-in-the-research/) [Kristin Neff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-neff/) > [Self-compassion is being willing to look at your mistakes or failures with kindness and understanding without harsh criticism or defensiveness. People who are self-compassionate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/self-compassion-is-being-willing-to-look-at-your-mistakes-or-failures/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“To be self-compassionate is not to be self-indulgent or self-centred. A major component of self-compassion is to be kind to yourself. Treat yourself with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christopher-dines/to-be-self-compassionate-is-not-to-be-self-indulgent-or-self-centred/) [Christopher Dines](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christopher-dines/) > [“Our culture does not emphasize self-compassion, quite the opposite. We’re told that no matter how hard we try, our best just isn’t good enough.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristin-neff/our-culture-does-not-emphasize-self-compassion-quite-the-opposite-we/) [Kristin Neff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristin-neff/) > [Surprisingly, it's forgiveness, not guilt, that increases accountability. Researchers have found that taking a self-compassionate point of view on a personal failure makes people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/surprisingly-it-s-forgiveness-not-guilt-that-increases-accountability/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [“The ability to be self-compassionate is closely linked to the ability to be compassionate toward others.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carmel-sheridan/the-ability-to-be-self-compassionate-is-closely-linked-to-the-ability/) [Carmel Sheridan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carmel-sheridan/) > [Could we take anxiety to be something that may be of importance, may even be meaningful? And it says something about your history, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-c-hayes/could-we-take-anxiety-to-be-something-that-may-be-of-importance-may/) [Steven C. Hayes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-c-hayes/) > [“When we’re kind to ourselves, we create a reservoir of compassion that we can extend to others. Our children learn how to be self-compassionate…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bren-brown/when-we-re-kind-to-ourselves-we-create-a-reservoir-of-compassion-that/) [Brené Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bren-brown/) > [Maybe I just have high self-esteem, but I have a lot that I really enjoy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mulaney/maybe-i-just-have-high-self-esteem-but-i-have-a-lot-that-i-really/) [John Mulaney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mulaney/) > [But what many psychologists have done, probably because they did well on a test themselves and everyone wants high self esteem, is to create…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sternberg/but-what-many-psychologists-have-done-probably-because-they-did-well/) [Robert Sternberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sternberg/) > [The societal pursuit of high self-esteem for everyone may literally end up doing considerable harm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-baumeister/the-societal-pursuit-of-high-self-esteem-for-everyone-may-literally/) [Roy Baumeister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-baumeister/) > [High self-esteem comes from feeling like you have control over events not that events have control over you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-robbins/high-self-esteem-comes-from-feeling-like-you-have-control-over-events/) [Tony Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-robbins/) > [“Self-esteem is the switch in the circuit of your life that dims or brightness of your future. Bring it low and you don't shine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/self-esteem-is-the-switch-in-the-circuit-of-your-life-that-dims-or/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [I didn't have high self-esteem when I was a teen-ager, as I think most teen-agers don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alanis-morissette/i-didn-t-have-high-self-esteem-when-i-was-a-teen-ager-as-i-think-most/) [Alanis Morissette](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alanis-morissette/) > [You'd be surprised how addicting high self-esteem is.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fergie/you-d-be-surprised-how-addicting-high-self-esteem-is/) [Fergie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fergie/) ## More by David D. Burns > [A poor self-image is the magnifying glass that can transform a trivial mistake or an imperfection into an overwhelming symbol of personal defeat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/a-poor-self-image-is-the-magnifying-glass-that-can-transform-a/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [Most people do surprisingly poorly when dealing with a relative who is hurting, depressed, or anxious - we get defensive and try to solve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/most-people-do-surprisingly-poorly-when-dealing-with-a-relative-who/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [The first principle of cognitive therapy is that all your moods are created by your 'cognitions,' or thoughts. A cognition refers to the way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/the-first-principle-of-cognitive-therapy-is-that-all-your-moods-are/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [“In one sense, depression can feel even worse than cancer, because most cancer patients feel hope as well as self-esteem.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/in-one-sense-depression-can-feel-even-worse-than-cancer-because-most/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [More often than not, the belief that you are bad contributes to the "bad" behavior. Change and learning occur most readily when you (a)…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/more-often-than-not-the-belief-that-you-are-bad-contributes-to-the/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [Guilt is not the best way to remedy your mistakes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/guilt-is-not-the-best-way-to-remedy-your-mistakes/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [I had the fear of heights when I was young, along with many other fears and phobias, including the fear of dogs, bees, horses,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/i-had-the-fear-of-heights-when-i-was-young-along-with-many-other/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [“The attitude that depression is necessary strikes me as destructive, inhuman, and victimizing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/the-attitude-that-depression-is-necessary-strikes-me-as-destructive/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [“know about the brain's hardware and software. How does the firing of a nerve or a series of nerves get translated into a thought…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/know-about-the-brain-s-hardware-and-software-how-does-the-firing-of-a/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [“There was nothing dreadfully wrong with me, I was just upsetting myself with my irrational thinking. I just couldn't admit it until I knew…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/there-was-nothing-dreadfully-wrong-with-me-i-was-just-upsetting/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [“Aim for success, not perfection. Never give up your right to be wrong, because then you will lose the ability to learn new things…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/aim-for-success-not-perfection-never-give-up-your-right-to-be-wrong/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [“And most important, nobody could love or relate to you. It would be impossible to feel any love for someone who was flawless and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/and-most-important-nobody-could-love-or-relate-to-you-it-would-be/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [Negative thinking patterns can be immensely deceptive and persuasive, and change is rarely easy. But with patience and persistence, I believe that nearly all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/negative-thinking-patterns-can-be-immensely-deceptive-and-persuasive/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [“Many research studies, as well as my own clinical experience, have confirmed that severely depressed patients who appear very "biologically" depressed with lots of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/many-research-studies-as-well-as-my-own-clinical-experience-have/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) > [Assert your right to make a few mistakes. If people can't accept your imperfections, that's their fault.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-d-burns/assert-your-right-to-make-a-few-mistakes-if-people-can-t-accept-your/) [David D. Burns](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) [Explore all 108 David D. Burns quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-d-burns/) ## More Anxiety quotes > [“Anything that you find yourself worrying about regularly may find you suddenly wanting unrealistic changes.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nagisa-tatsumi/anything-that-you-find-yourself-worrying-about-regularly-may-find-you/) [Nagisa Tatsumi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nagisa-tatsumi/) > [Bein Crazy is the least of my worries.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kerouac/bein-crazy-is-the-least-of-my-worries/) [Jack Kerouac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kerouac/) > [The answer to deep anxiety is the deep adoration of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/the-answer-to-deep-anxiety-is-the-deep-adoration-of-god/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [“Fear of seeing a police car pull into the drive. Fear of falling asleep at night. Fear of not falling asleep. Fear of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raymond-carver/fear-of-seeing-a-police-car-pull-into-the-drive-fear-of-falling/) [Raymond Carver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raymond-carver/) > [I get nervous when I don't get nervous. If I'm nervous I know I'm going to have a good show.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beyonce-knowles/i-get-nervous-when-i-don-t-get-nervous-if-i-m-nervous-i-know-i-m/) [Beyonce Knowles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/beyonce-knowles/) > [“Every invention comes through anxiousness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rakesh-wadhwani/every-invention-comes-through-anxiousness/) [Rakesh Wadhwani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rakesh-wadhwani/) > [“Do Not Be Anxious 25 e “Therefore I tell you,  f do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-not-be-anxious-25-e-therefore-i-tell-you-f-do-not-be-anxious-about/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Nothing happens on its own, you have to make things happen. If you really want to come out of your stressful situation than you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/subodh-gupta/nothing-happens-on-its-own-you-have-to-make-things-happen-if-you/) [Subodh Gupta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/subodh-gupta/) > [“I guess if we're talking about my anxiety, the even truthier truth is it started way before that.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kerry-winfrey/i-guess-if-we-re-talking-about-my-anxiety-the-even-truthier-truth-is/) [Kerry Winfrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kerry-winfrey/) > [I was a very good student. Procrastinating gives me anxiety, and getting a B really ticked me off. Sure, I didn't always want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-loren/i-was-a-very-good-student-procrastinating-gives-me-anxiety-and/) [Josie Loren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-loren/) > [“The suspense: the fearful, acute suspense: of standing idly by while the life of one we dearly love, is trembling in the balance; the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-dickens/the-suspense-the-fearful-acute-suspense-of-standing-idly-by-while-the/) [Charles Dickens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-dickens/) > [The party in Alobar’s head, which agitation and anxiety were throwing, now was crashed by a notion: existence can be rearranged.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-robbins/the-party-in-alobar-s-head-which-agitation-and-anxiety-were-throwing/) [Tom Robbins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-robbins/) > [As you know, I have been very open about my struggle with social anxiety.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/summer-walker/as-you-know-i-have-been-very-open-about-my-struggle-with-social/) [Summer Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/summer-walker/) > [Anxiety is not to be managed it is a sin that needs to be repented of](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-driscoll/anxiety-is-not-to-be-managed-it-is-a-sin-that-needs-to-be-repented-of/) [Mark Driscoll](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-driscoll/) > [“I’ve always seen this in you, ever since you were a little girl — this hunger to love other people into their highest selves…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jennifer-elisabeth/i-ve-always-seen-this-in-you-ever-since-you-were-a-little-girl-this/) [Jennifer Elisabeth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jennifer-elisabeth/) [Browse all 4,944 Anxiety quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/anxiety/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you're self-compassionate, you'll tend to have higher self-esteem than if you're endlessly self-critical. 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