---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was really a very simple thing, after…"
description: "\"“It was really a very simple thing, after all,—it was only that he had lived near a kind and gentle heart, and had been taught to think kind thoughts a..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/386/frances-hodgson-burnett-988_kind-thoughts_it-was-really-a-very-simple-thing-after_1734625.jpg"
---

#  It was really a very simple thing, after all,—it was only…

![“It was really a very simple thing, after all,—it was only that he had lived near a kind and gentle heart, and had been taught to think kind thoughts always and to care for others. It is a very little thing, perhaps, but it is the best thing of all. He knew nothing of earls and castles; he was…” quote by Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/386/frances-hodgson-burnett-988_kind-thoughts_it-was-really-a-very-simple-thing-after_1734625.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/386/frances-hodgson-burnett-988_kind-thoughts_it-was-really-a-very-simple-thing-after_1734625.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/386/frances-hodgson-burnett-988_kind-thoughts_it-was-really-a-very-simple-thing-after_1734625.jpg)

> ““It was really a very simple thing, after all,—it was only that he had lived near a kind and gentle heart, and had been taught to think kind thoughts always and to care for others. It is a very little thing, perhaps, but it is the best thing of all. He knew nothing of earls and castles; he was quite ignorant of all grand and splendid things; but he was always lovable because he was simple and loving. To be so is like being born a king.””

[Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hodgson-burnett/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Kindness and simplicity are the greatest virtues, surpassing wealth or status, and they make a person noble at heart.

**In simple terms:** Kindness is the best virtue.

Key Takeaway

Cultivate simple, loving kindness.

Themes

kindness humility inner nobility

Mood

warm hopeful

Type

inspirational philosophical

When to use this quote

- parenting
- volunteering
- community building
- personal growth

Key Concepts

moral virtue character development

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you practice kindness daily?
- What does being “born a king” mean to you?

A Different Perspective

Kindness alone may not protect against systemic injustice.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Care For Others](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/care-for-others/) [Kind thoughts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind-thoughts/) [Simple Loving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/simple-loving/)

## Related quotes

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[George R.R. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-r-r-martin/)

> [Do not scorn pity that is the gift of a gentle heart, Éowyn!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-not-scorn-pity-that-is-the-gift-of-a-gentle-heart-owyn/)

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> [“There are no absolutes for something so relative as a human life. There are no rules for something so gentle as a heart.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hugh-prather/there-are-no-absolutes-for-something-so-relative-as-a-human-life/)

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[Annie Dillard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-dillard/)

> [You might think I deserved a better person than you. But I think I deserved a simple & loving person as you. I love you](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/buyuk/you-might-think-i-deserved-a-better-person-than-you-but-i-think-i/)

[Buyuk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/buyuk/)

> [I did a film when I was about 30; it's a coming of age story called 'Gas Food Lodging,' and I'm so proud of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-knepper/i-did-a-film-when-i-was-about-30-it-s-a-coming-of-age-story-called/)

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## More by Frances Hodgson Burnett

> [When you will not fly into a passion people know you are stronger than they are, because you are strong enough to hold in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hodgson-burnett/when-you-will-not-fly-into-a-passion-people-know-you-are-stronger/)

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[Frances Hodgson Burnett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/frances-hodgson-burnett/)

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> [... justice is mercy's highest self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/frances-hodgson-burnett/justice-is-mercy-s-highest-self/)

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[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

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[Gautama Buddha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gautama-buddha/)

> [Today I am fortunate to have woken up, I am alive, I have a precious human life, I am not going to waste it.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-pajaron/today-i-am-fortunate-to-have-woken-up-i-am-alive-i-have-a-precious/)

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