--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The light around someone who speaks…" description: "\"The light around someone who speaks truth, who consistently acts with compassion for all, even in great difficulty, is visible to all around them.\" — J..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cc/jack-kornfield-936_compassion_the-light-around-someone-who-speaks-trut_2244724.png" --- # The light around someone who speaks truth, who… ![“The light around someone who speaks truth, who consistently acts with compassion for all, even in great difficulty, is visible to all around them.” quote by Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cc/jack-kornfield-936_compassion_the-light-around-someone-who-speaks-trut_2244724.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cc/jack-kornfield-936_compassion_the-light-around-someone-who-speaks-trut_2244724.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cc/jack-kornfield-936_compassion_the-light-around-someone-who-speaks-trut_2244724.png) > “The light around someone who speaks truth, who consistently acts with compassion for all, even in great difficulty, is visible to all around them.” [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. Compassionate truth‑telling shines brightly, influencing others even in hardship. **In simple terms:** Truth and compassion are visible and impactful. Key Takeaway Practice honest, compassionate action to inspire others. Themes compassion truth influence Mood hopeful calm Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - leadership - conflict resolution - personal growth - teaching - public speaking Key Concepts mindfulness ethical leadership spirituality Questions to Reflect On - How can you embody compassion when faced with opposition? - What does “visible light” mean in everyday actions? A Different Perspective Compassion may be ignored in hostile environments. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Light](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/light/) [Speak the truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/speak-the-truth/) [Truth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/truth/) ## Related quotes > [It’s difficult to find a person who can accept the truth consistently and more when it is related to him only and that’s what…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anuj/it-s-difficult-to-find-a-person-who-can-accept-the-truth-consistently/) [Anuj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anuj/) > [“What interests me, personally, is work which in some way, speaks the truth to power…I don’t think we speak the truth to power for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irvine-welsh/what-interests-me-personally-is-work-which-in-some-way-speaks-the/) [Irvine Welsh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irvine-welsh/) > [No one is more hated than he who speaks the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/no-one-is-more-hated-than-he-who-speaks-the-truth/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [Falsehood and delusion are allowed in no case whatever; but, as in the exercise of all the virtues, there is an economy of truth.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/falsehood-and-delusion-are-allowed-in-no-case-whatever-but-as-in-the/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [When a man speaks the truth in the spirit of truth, his eye is as clear as the heavens. When he has base ends,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/when-a-man-speaks-the-truth-in-the-spirit-of-truth-his-eye-is-as/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [All art deals with the absurd and aims at the simple. Good art speaks truth, indeed is truth, perhaps the only truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-murdoch/all-art-deals-with-the-absurd-and-aims-at-the-simple-good-art-speaks/) [Iris Murdoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-murdoch/) > [A radical is one who speaks the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-august-lindbergh/a-radical-is-one-who-speaks-the-truth/) Charles August Lindbergh > [We may well be the ones Proverbs warns when it reminds us: "Kings take pleasure in honest lips; they value the one who speaks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-d-chittister/we-may-well-be-the-ones-proverbs-warns-when-it-reminds-us-kings-take/) [Joan D. Chittister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-d-chittister/) > [I want a language that speaks the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/studs-terkel/i-want-a-language-that-speaks-the-truth/) [Studs Terkel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/studs-terkel/) > [He who speaks the truth must keep one foot in the stirrup.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-shields/he-who-speaks-the-truth-must-keep-one-foot-in-the-stirrup/) [Mark Shields](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-shields/) > [All that one gains by falsehood is, not to be believed when he speaks the truth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/all-that-one-gains-by-falsehood-is-not-to-be-believed-when-he-speaks/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [Who speaks the truth stabs falsehood to the heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-russell-lowell/who-speaks-the-truth-stabs-falsehood-to-the-heart/) [James Russell Lowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-russell-lowell/) > [Someone who is elated with wine speaks the truth on all subjects, even without meaning to. In the same way, anyone who is inebriated…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-climacus/someone-who-is-elated-with-wine-speaks-the-truth-on-all-subjects-even/) [John Climacus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-climacus/) > [Just having an awareness of God's mercy and compassion for us is a great motivation for us to be merciful and compassionate to other…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-morris/just-having-an-awareness-of-god-s-mercy-and-compassion-for-us-is-a/) [Jonathan Morris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-morris/) > [The individual is capable of both great compassion and great indifference. He has it within his means to nourish the former and outgrow the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/norman-cousins/the-individual-is-capable-of-both-great-compassion-and-great/) [Norman Cousins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/norman-cousins/) ## 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": "The light around someone who speaks truth, who consistently acts with compassion for all, even in great difficulty, is visible to all around them.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jack Kornfield" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/the-light-around-someone-who-speaks-truth-who-consistently-acts-with/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Compassion" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/the-light-around-someone-who-speaks-truth-who-consistently-acts-with/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cc/jack-kornfield-936_compassion_the-light-around-someone-who-speaks-trut_2244724.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cc/jack-kornfield-936_compassion_the-light-around-someone-who-speaks-trut_2244724.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/4cc/jack-kornfield-936_compassion_the-light-around-someone-who-speaks-trut_2244724.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The light around someone who speaks truth, who consistently acts with compassion for all, even in great…” — 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": "The light around someone who speaks...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/the-light-around-someone-who-speaks-truth-who-consistently-acts-with/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/the-light-around-someone-who-speaks-truth-who-consistently-acts-with/#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 } } ] } ```