--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: On an individual level, the human…" description: "\"“On an individual level, the human condition changed day by day, even hour by hour, and while you were soaking in self-pity over a misfortune, you migh..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/dean-koontz-118_acts-of-kindness_on-an-individual-level-the-human-conditi_591557.jpg" --- # On an individual level, the human condition changed day by… ![“On an individual level, the human condition changed day by day, even hour by hour, and while you were soaking in self-pity over a misfortune, you might miss an opportunity for a redeeming triumph. And for every act of inhumanity, the species managed to committ a hundred acts of kindness; so if you…” quote by Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/dean-koontz-118_acts-of-kindness_on-an-individual-level-the-human-conditi_591557.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/dean-koontz-118_acts-of-kindness_on-an-individual-level-the-human-conditi_591557.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d6e/dean-koontz-118_acts-of-kindness_on-an-individual-level-the-human-conditi_591557.jpg) > ““On an individual level, the human condition changed day by day, even hour by hour, and while you were soaking in self-pity over a misfortune, you might miss an opportunity for a redeeming triumph. And for every act of inhumanity, the species managed to committ a hundred acts of kindness; so if you were the type to brood, you would be more sensible if you dwelt on the remarkable goodwill with which most people treated others even in a society where the cultural elites routinely mocked virtue and celebrated brutality. BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON Chapter 5”” [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Human experience fluctuates rapidly; focusing on suffering blinds us to fleeting chances for triumph and kindness. **In simple terms:** Focus on hope, not despair. Key Takeaway Seek opportunities for goodwill despite hardships. Themes hope resilience humanity Mood reflective hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal loss - career setbacks - social injustice - daily stress Key Concepts existentialism optimism Questions to Reflect On - What small act of kindness can you offer today? - How does recognizing fleeting opportunities change your outlook? A Different Perspective Overemphasis on negativity can cause paralysis. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acts of kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acts-of-kindness/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Day by day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/day-by-day/) [Human condition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/human-condition/) [Humanity and society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/humanity-and-society/) [Kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindness/) [Nature of man](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature-of-man/) ## Related quotes > [“Schedule kindness in your day. Watch how small acts of  kindness can change your mood, bring someone else joy, and give both of you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/germany-kent/schedule-kindness-in-your-day-watch-how-small-acts-of-kindness-can/) [Germany Kent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/germany-kent/) > [When autumn darkness falls, what we will remember are the small acts of kindness: a cake, a hug, an invitation to talk, and every…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jens-stoltenberg/when-autumn-darkness-falls-what-we-will-remember-are-the-small-acts/) [Jens Stoltenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jens-stoltenberg/) > [“We, human beings don't always need an intelligent mind that speaks, but a patient heart that listens. Supportive relationships are very much needed. Know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jyoti-patel/we-human-beings-don-t-always-need-an-intelligent-mind-that-speaks-but/) [Jyoti Patel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jyoti-patel/) > [“Small Acts of Kindness are Priceless”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mg-wells/small-acts-of-kindness-are-priceless/) MG Wells > [Every day, do something selfless for someone else that takes under five minutes. The essence of this thing you do should be that it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-rifkin/every-day-do-something-selfless-for-someone-else-that-takes-under/) [Adam Rifkin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-rifkin/) > [Personal growth, meaningful relationships and acts of kindness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/personal-growth-meaningful-relationships-and-acts-of-kindness/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Through Compassion and Care we are compelled to random acts of kindness and demonstrations of love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-hamilton-fford/through-compassion-and-care-we-are-compelled-to-random-acts-of/) Jean Hamilton-Fford > [Small & random acts of kindness can make a world of difference in someones life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/small-random-acts-of-kindness-can-make-a-world-of-difference-in/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I realized that social media can be powerful force for good in the world and that acts of kindness can be scaled globally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-jo-martin/i-realized-that-social-media-can-be-powerful-force-for-good-in-the/) [Amy Jo Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-jo-martin/) > [“Random acts of kindness show that even amidst the hustle and bustle, Paris inhabitants are more welcoming that their reputation gives them credit for.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicki-lesage/random-acts-of-kindness-show-that-even-amidst-the-hustle-and-bustle/) [Vicki Lesage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicki-lesage/) > [The best portion of a good man's life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wordsworth/the-best-portion-of-a-good-man-s-life-is-his-little-nameless/) [William Wordsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wordsworth/) > [If we serve Jesus then every act & thought has meaning. Acts of kindness aren’t just niceties, they become acts of worship..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wimber/if-we-serve-jesus-then-every-act-thought-has-meaning-acts-of-kindness/) [John Wimber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wimber/) > [“My wish for you is that you continue. Continue to be who and how you are, to astonish a mean world with your acts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/my-wish-for-you-is-that-you-continue-continue-to-be-who-and-how-you/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [Great people create great acts of kindness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-cervantes/great-people-create-great-acts-of-kindness/) [Miguel de Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-cervantes/) > [Our acts of kindness we reserve for our friends, our bounties for our dependants, our riches for our children and relations, our praises for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baptiste-massillon/our-acts-of-kindness-we-reserve-for-our-friends-our-bounties-for-our/) [Jean Baptiste Massillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baptiste-massillon/) ## More by Dean Koontz > [“This kind of derangement is emblematic of humankind. Grave faults are said to be only eccentricities, and imperfections are routinely celebrated as mere differences…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/this-kind-of-derangement-is-emblematic-of-humankind-grave-faults-are/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“He often remembered his dad's admonition that envy was mental theft. If you coveted another man's possessions, Dad said, then you should be willing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/he-often-remembered-his-dad-s-admonition-that-envy-was-mental-theft/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [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/) > [What really holds their marriage together are mutual respect of an awesome depth, a shared sense of humor, faith that they were brought together…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/what-really-holds-their-marriage-together-are-mutual-respect-of-an/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“Her mother said that three great powers kept the universe going. The first and the strongest was God. Each of the two additional powers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/her-mother-said-that-three-great-powers-kept-the-universe-going-the/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“I stopped keeping an eye out for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve because, when I was five, my mother told me that Santa was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/i-stopped-keeping-an-eye-out-for-santa-claus-on-christmas-eve-because/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“To one degree or another, I have been happy most of my life, in part because the world has infinite charms if you wish…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/to-one-degree-or-another-i-have-been-happy-most-of-my-life-in-part/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“This life is just a bootcamp, to test and toughen us, to prepare us for the next life of service in some great adventure.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/this-life-is-just-a-bootcamp-to-test-and-toughen-us-to-prepare-us-for/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“A madman should have a madman’s laugh, not the warm chuckle of a favorite uncle.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/a-madman-should-have-a-madman-s-laugh-not-the-warm-chuckle-of-a/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“Anger was a reliable defense, but one that allowed no chance of final victory. Anger was a medicine but never a cure, briefly numbing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/anger-was-a-reliable-defense-but-one-that-allowed-no-chance-of-final/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“Nothing is predetermined for us, and yet all our possible choices are threads in the vast weave of things, so that we have free…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/nothing-is-predetermined-for-us-and-yet-all-our-possible-choices-are/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“In fact, time teaches us that the musical score of life oscillates between that of Psycho and that of The Sound of Music, with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/in-fact-time-teaches-us-that-the-musical-score-of-life-oscillates/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“Some will accuse me of being judgmental. Thank you. And proud of it. You wreck a kid's life, I have no pity for you.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/some-will-accuse-me-of-being-judgmental-thank-you-and-proud-of-it-you/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“Waiting is one of the things that humans beings cannot do well, though it is one of the essential things we must do successfully…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/waiting-is-one-of-the-things-that-humans-beings-cannot-do-well-though/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) > [“Dogs know we need to give affection as much as they need to receive it. They were the first therapists; they've been in practice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-koontz/dogs-know-we-need-to-give-affection-as-much-as-they-need-to-receive/) [Dean Koontz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) [Explore all 1,233 Dean Koontz quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-koontz/) ## More Acts of kindness quotes > [Our acts of kindness we reserve for our friends, our bounties for our dependants, our riches for our children and relations, our praises for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baptiste-massillon/our-acts-of-kindness-we-reserve-for-our-friends-our-bounties-for-our/) [Jean Baptiste Massillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baptiste-massillon/) > [Great people create great acts of kindness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miguel-de-cervantes/great-people-create-great-acts-of-kindness/) [Miguel de Cervantes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miguel-de-cervantes/) > [“My wish for you is that you continue. Continue to be who and how you are, to astonish a mean world with your acts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maya-angelou/my-wish-for-you-is-that-you-continue-continue-to-be-who-and-how-you/) [Maya Angelou](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maya-angelou/) > [On the whole, mental archaeology was a sordid digging proposition. The evil men did endured, the good was infinitely more ephemeral. You could generally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/helen-kieran-reilly/on-the-whole-mental-archaeology-was-a-sordid-digging-proposition-the/) [Helen Kieran Reilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/helen-kieran-reilly/) > [Every act of kindness and compassion toward others gets multiplied when they, in turn, pass it on. One by one the world becomes a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-z-borysenko/every-act-of-kindness-and-compassion-toward-others-gets-multiplied/) [Joan Z. Borysenko](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-z-borysenko/) > [There is no small act of kindness. Every compassionate act makes large the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-anne-radmacher/there-is-no-small-act-of-kindness-every-compassionate-act-makes-large/) [Mary Anne Radmacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-anne-radmacher/) > [If we serve Jesus then every act & thought has meaning. Acts of kindness aren’t just niceties, they become acts of worship..](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wimber/if-we-serve-jesus-then-every-act-thought-has-meaning-acts-of-kindness/) [John Wimber](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wimber/) > [Freeedom ain't free...Continue to pay dues with Random acts of kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/freeedom-ain-t-free-continue-to-pay-dues-with-random-acts-of-kindness/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The best portion of a good man's life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-wordsworth/the-best-portion-of-a-good-man-s-life-is-his-little-nameless/) [William Wordsworth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-wordsworth/) > [“Random acts of kindness show that even amidst the hustle and bustle, Paris inhabitants are more welcoming that their reputation gives them credit for.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vicki-lesage/random-acts-of-kindness-show-that-even-amidst-the-hustle-and-bustle/) [Vicki Lesage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vicki-lesage/) > [What are you doing for others?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/what-are-you-doing-for-others/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [You know, you can steel your heart against any kind of trouble, any kind of horror. But the simple act of kindness from a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-abani/you-know-you-can-steel-your-heart-against-any-kind-of-trouble-any/) [Chris Abani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-abani/) > [“The smallest act of kindness makes you more beautiful than any expensive dress or make up.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debasish-mridha/the-smallest-act-of-kindness-makes-you-more-beautiful-than-any/) [Debasish Mridha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debasish-mridha/) > [I realized that social media can be powerful force for good in the world and that acts of kindness can be scaled globally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-jo-martin/i-realized-that-social-media-can-be-powerful-force-for-good-in-the/) [Amy Jo Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-jo-martin/) > [“It was once said that violence is the language of the incompetent. This is something to ponder while remembering that little acts of kindness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-azimov/it-was-once-said-that-violence-is-the-language-of-the-incompetent/) [Sean Azimov](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-azimov/) [Browse all 264 Acts of kindness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acts-of-kindness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“On an individual level, the human condition changed day by day, even hour by hour, and while you were soaking in self-pity over a misfortune, you might miss an opportunity for a redeeming triumph. And for every act of inhumanity, the species managed to committ a hundred acts of kindness; so if you were the type to brood, you would be more sensible if you dwelt on the remarkable goodwill with which most people treated others even in a society where the cultural elites routinely mocked virtue and celebrated brutality. 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