--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Compassion for ourselves gives rise to…" description: "\"Compassion for ourselves gives rise to the power to transform resentment into forgiveness, hatred into friendliness, and fear into respect for all bein..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/jack-kornfield-936_compassion_compassion-for-ourselves-gives-rise-to-t_3167481.png" --- # Compassion for ourselves gives rise to the power to… ![“Compassion for ourselves gives rise to the power to transform resentment into forgiveness, hatred into friendliness, and fear into respect for all beings.” quote by Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/jack-kornfield-936_compassion_compassion-for-ourselves-gives-rise-to-t_3167481.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/jack-kornfield-936_compassion_compassion-for-ourselves-gives-rise-to-t_3167481.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/jack-kornfield-936_compassion_compassion-for-ourselves-gives-rise-to-t_3167481.png) > “Compassion for ourselves gives rise to the power to transform resentment into forgiveness, hatred into friendliness, and fear into respect for all beings.” [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) ## 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 unlocks the ability to turn negative emotions into positive, compassionate responses. **In simple terms:** Kindness to self creates inner peace. Key Takeaway Practice self‑compassion to transform resentment. Themes compassion inner peace emotional intelligence Mood reflective healing Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - conflict resolution - personal growth - therapy sessions Key Concepts mindfulness psychological resilience Questions to Reflect On - What resentments could you transform with kindness? - How does self‑compassion change your view of others? A Different Perspective Self‑compassion can be mistaken for self‑indulgence. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Friendliness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendliness/) [Giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/giving/) [Hatred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hatred/) [Resentment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/resentment/) [Respect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/respect/) ## Related quotes > [“We tend to hold on to resentment because we feel like the nitwit who wronged us doesn’t deserve foreignness. Meanwhile, the only person being…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jen-sincero/we-tend-to-hold-on-to-resentment-because-we-feel-like-the-nitwit-who/) [Jen Sincero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jen-sincero/) > [“Ugly, degrading, rather terrible half-truths... It is bad for the soul to know itself a coward, it is apt to take refuge in mere…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/radclyffe-hall/ugly-degrading-rather-terrible-half-truths-it-is-bad-for-the-soul-to/) [Radclyffe Hall](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/radclyffe-hall/) > [To change resentment into forgiveness and fear into respect we have to allow compassion into our souls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/to-change-resentment-into-forgiveness-and-fear-into-respect-we-have/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Compassion gives us the freedom to redefine ourselves as well as the all-important freedom to fail, which contains within it the freedom to take…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-david/compassion-gives-us-the-freedom-to-redefine-ourselves-as-well-as-the/) [Susan David](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-david/) > [Verily, God is Compassionate and is fond of compassion, and He gives to the compassionate what He does not give to the harsh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/muhammad/verily-god-is-compassionate-and-is-fond-of-compassion-and-he-gives-to/) [Muhammad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/muhammad/) > [Compassion gives us a common ground to stand on regardless of your faith background. It gives us a chance to stand shoulder-to-shoulder rather than…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/max-lucado/compassion-gives-us-a-common-ground-to-stand-on-regardless-of-your/) [Max Lucado](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/max-lucado/) > [ \[What's beautiful about my mother is\] her compassion, how much she gives, whether it be to her kids and grandkids or out in the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kate-hudson/what-s-beautiful-about-my-mother-is-her-compassion-how-much-she-gives/) [Kate Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kate-hudson/) > [The well taught philosophic mind To all compassion gives; Casts round the world an equal eye, And feels for all that lives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-letitia-barbauld/the-well-taught-philosophic-mind-to-all-compassion-gives-casts-round/) [Anna Letitia Barbauld](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-letitia-barbauld/) > [Forgiveness is primarily for our own sake, so that we no longer carry the burden of resentment. But to forgive does not mean we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/forgiveness-is-primarily-for-our-own-sake-so-that-we-no-longer-carry/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [My attitude towards the British is one of utter friendliness and respect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/my-attitude-towards-the-british-is-one-of-utter-friendliness-and/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [“Ideas on Earth were badges of friendship or enmity. Their content did not matter. Friends agreed with friends, in order to express friendliness. Enemies…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kurt-vonnegut/ideas-on-earth-were-badges-of-friendship-or-enmity-their-content-did/) [Kurt Vonnegut](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kurt-vonnegut/) > [One of the attributes Glasgow is best known for all over the world is the friendliness of her people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicola-sturgeon/one-of-the-attributes-glasgow-is-best-known-for-all-over-the-world-is/) [Nicola Sturgeon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicola-sturgeon/) > [Between friends there is no need for justice, but people who are just still need the quality of friendship; and indeed friendliness is considered…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/between-friends-there-is-no-need-for-justice-but-people-who-are-just/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [“Americans’ reputation for friendliness is the absence of physicality. In the United States, no one ever touches anyone else and if they do so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-lindstrom/americans-reputation-for-friendliness-is-the-absence-of-physicality/) [Martin Lindstrom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-lindstrom/) > [When you smile and project an aura of warmth, kindness, and friendliness, you will attract warms, kindness, and friendliness. Happy people will be drawn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/when-you-smile-and-project-an-aura-of-warmth-kindness-and/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) ## More by Jack Kornfield > [“When we let go of our battles and open our heart to things as they are, then we come to rest in the present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/when-we-let-go-of-our-battles-and-open-our-heart-to-things-as-they/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [In opening we can see how many times we have mistaken small identities and fearful beliefs for our true nature and how limiting this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/in-opening-we-can-see-how-many-times-we-have-mistaken-small/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Wherever you are is the perfect place to awaken. This moment is the exact place to practice compassion and loving awareness. You have all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/wherever-you-are-is-the-perfect-place-to-awaken-this-moment-is-the/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Acceptance does not mean inaction. We may need to respond, strongly at times...From a peaceful center we can respond instead of react. Unconscious reactions…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/acceptance-does-not-mean-inaction-we-may-need-to-respond-strongly-at/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To live in this precious animal body on this earth is as great a part of spiritual life as anything else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-live-in-this-precious-animal-body-on-this-earth-is-as-great-a-part/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [We do not have to improve ourselves; we just have to let go of what blocks our heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/we-do-not-have-to-improve-ourselves-we-just-have-to-let-go-of-what/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To open deeply, as genuine spiritual life requires, we need tremendous courage and strength, a kind of warrior spirit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-open-deeply-as-genuine-spiritual-life-requires-we-need-tremendous/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [As we step out of the way new things are born.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/as-we-step-out-of-the-way-new-things-are-born/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [For most of us, generosity is a quality that must be developed. We have to respect that it will grow gradually; otherwise our spirituality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/for-most-of-us-generosity-is-a-quality-that-must-be-developed-we-have/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [What is truly a part of our spiritual path is that which brings us alive. If gardening brings us alive, that is part of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/what-is-truly-a-part-of-our-spiritual-path-is-that-which-brings-us/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [“Working with these distractions, steadying the canoe, letting the waves pass by, and coming back again and again in a quiet and collected way,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/working-with-these-distractions-steadying-the-canoe-letting-the-waves/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To understand ourselves and our life is the point of insight meditation: to understand and to be free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-understand-ourselves-and-our-life-is-the-point-of-insight/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [To let go in the deepest recesses of the heart, to release all struggle and wanting, leads us to that knowing which is timeless.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/to-let-go-in-the-deepest-recesses-of-the-heart-to-release-all/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Wisdom says we are nothing. Love says we are everything. Between these two our life flows.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/wisdom-says-we-are-nothing-love-says-we-are-everything-between-these/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [Breathing meditation can quiet the mind, open the body, and develop a great power of concentration.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/breathing-meditation-can-quiet-the-mind-open-the-body-and-develop-a/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) [Explore all 324 Jack Kornfield quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) ## 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": "Compassion for ourselves gives rise to the power to transform resentment into forgiveness, hatred into friendliness, and fear into respect for all beings.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jack Kornfield" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/compassion-for-ourselves-gives-rise-to-the-power-to-transform/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Compassion" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/compassion-for-ourselves-gives-rise-to-the-power-to-transform/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/jack-kornfield-936_compassion_compassion-for-ourselves-gives-rise-to-t_3167481.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/jack-kornfield-936_compassion_compassion-for-ourselves-gives-rise-to-t_3167481.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/aad/jack-kornfield-936_compassion_compassion-for-ourselves-gives-rise-to-t_3167481.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Compassion for ourselves gives rise to the power to transform resentment into forgiveness, hatred into…” — Jack Kornfield", "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": "Jack Kornfield", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Compassion for ourselves gives rise to...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/compassion-for-ourselves-gives-rise-to-the-power-to-transform/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/compassion-for-ourselves-gives-rise-to-the-power-to-transform/#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 } } ] } ```