--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What if we strove for compassion, for…" description: "\"What if we strove for compassion, for mercy, for forgiveness? And what if we did this for everybody, including people who have harmed others?\" — James ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc6/james-forman-jr-20846_compassion_what-if-we-strove-for-compassion-for-mer_1394422.jpg" --- # What if we strove for compassion, for mercy, for… ![“What if we strove for compassion, for mercy, for forgiveness? And what if we did this for everybody, including people who have harmed others?” quote by James Forman, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc6/james-forman-jr-20846_compassion_what-if-we-strove-for-compassion-for-mer_1394422.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc6/james-forman-jr-20846_compassion_what-if-we-strove-for-compassion-for-mer_1394422.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc6/james-forman-jr-20846_compassion_what-if-we-strove-for-compassion-for-mer_1394422.jpg) > “What if we strove for compassion, for mercy, for forgiveness? And what if we did this for everybody, including people who have harmed others?” [James Forman, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-forman-jr/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He proposes extending compassion, mercy, and forgiveness universally, even toward those who have caused harm. **In simple terms:** Offer compassion to everyone, including offenders. Key Takeaway Practice universal empathy. Themes ethics forgiveness social justice Mood hopeful challenging Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - personal relationships - conflict resolution - societal reconciliation Key Concepts restorative justice humanity community healing Questions to Reflect On - What limits your ability to forgive? - How can societies balance justice and mercy? A Different Perspective Forgiveness may be difficult when harm is severe. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) [Mercy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mercy/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) ## Related quotes > [I haven't lived a perfect life. I've probably done more wrong than right but thank God for compassion, mercy, and forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-haven-t-lived-a-perfect-life-i-ve-probably-done-more-wrong-than/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“Act with God's compassion, mercy and forgiveness in mind and you will always be right. Act with revenge in your heart and you will…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-l-alder/act-with-god-s-compassion-mercy-and-forgiveness-in-mind-and-you-will/) [Shannon L. Alder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shannon-l-alder/) > [The Good News is that God's mercy and forgiveness extend to those who repent. Mercy does not mean approving of something that is sinful,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-j-paprocki/the-good-news-is-that-god-s-mercy-and-forgiveness-extend-to-those-who/) [Thomas J. Paprocki](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-j-paprocki/) > [“It is up to each one of us to immunize ourselves from any disabling bolts of anger and defend ourselves from the thunderstorms of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kilroy-j-oldster/it-is-up-to-each-one-of-us-to-immunize-ourselves-from-any-disabling/) [Kilroy J. Oldster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kilroy-j-oldster/) > [Things happen for a reason, and the only thing you can do is at night time get on your knees and ask God for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/floyd-mayweather-jr/things-happen-for-a-reason-and-the-only-thing-you-can-do-is-at-night/) [Floyd Mayweather, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/floyd-mayweather-jr/) > [“She forgave them, not because they had asked for forgiveness, since they did no such thing, nor because they deserved it, but because she…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/talidari/she-forgave-them-not-because-they-had-asked-for-forgiveness-since/) [Talidari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/talidari/) > [“I was realizing that forgiveness was a decision I would have to revisit over and over. It was turning out to be a process,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shannon-moroney/i-was-realizing-that-forgiveness-was-a-decision-i-would-have-to/) Shannon Moroney > [David did not pay for his forgiveness. He did pay for his unforgiveness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-hunt/david-did-not-pay-for-his-forgiveness-he-did-pay-for-his-unforgiveness/) [Johnny Hunt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-hunt/) > [You desire that which exceeds my humble powers, but I trust in the compassion and mercy of the All-powerful God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/saint-stephen/you-desire-that-which-exceeds-my-humble-powers-but-i-trust-in-the/) Saint Stephen > [Compassion is not sympathy. Compassion is mercy. It is a commitment to take responsibility for the suffering of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-d-chittister/compassion-is-not-sympathy-compassion-is-mercy-it-is-a-commitment-to/) [Joan D. Chittister](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-d-chittister/) > [I have come to know a God of compassion and mercy and love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/i-have-come-to-know-a-god-of-compassion-and-mercy-and-love/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [As Gandhi wisely points out, even as we serve others we are working on ourselves; every act, every word, every gesture of genuine compassion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-muller/as-gandhi-wisely-points-out-even-as-we-serve-others-we-are-working-on/) [Wayne Muller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-muller/) > [If compassion and mercy are not compatible with politics then something is the matter with politics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-r-ford/if-compassion-and-mercy-are-not-compatible-with-politics-then/) [Gerald R. Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-r-ford/) > [The world may be as evangelized as it will ever get if we attempt to complete the remaining task with a motivation built around…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-c-hawthorne/the-world-may-be-as-evangelized-as-it-will-ever-get-if-we-attempt-to/) Steven C. Hawthorne > [“If compassion and mercy are not compatible with politics," Ford said, "then something is the matter with politics.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nancy-gibbs/if-compassion-and-mercy-are-not-compatible-with-politics-ford-said/) [Nancy Gibbs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nancy-gibbs/) ## More by James Forman, Jr > [Attica. The name itself has long signified resistance to prison abuse and state violence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-forman-jr/attica-the-name-itself-has-long-signified-resistance-to-prison-abuse/) [James Forman, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-forman-jr/) > [At the end of the day, I think my story is, we need black officers because African-Americans need a fair shot at good jobs…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-forman-jr/at-the-end-of-the-day-i-think-my-story-is-we-need-black-officers/) [James Forman, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-forman-jr/) > [One consequence of racism and segregation is that many American whites know little or nothing about the daily lives of African Americans. Black America's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-forman-jr/one-consequence-of-racism-and-segregation-is-that-many-american/) [James Forman, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-forman-jr/) > [Most people that take jobs as police officers are taking them because they're good jobs. Many who go into these jobs are doing it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-forman-jr/most-people-that-take-jobs-as-police-officers-are-taking-them-because/) [James Forman, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-forman-jr/) > [Actually creating a positive school climate, particularly in schools that are in communities that are themselves not calm and orderly, is hard work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-forman-jr/actually-creating-a-positive-school-climate-particularly-in-schools/) [James Forman, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-forman-jr/) > [A black man of my generation born in the late 1960s is more than twice as likely to go to prison in his lifetime…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-forman-jr/a-black-man-of-my-generation-born-in-the-late-1960s-is-more-than/) [James Forman, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-forman-jr/) > [I clerked for a judge, William Norris, on the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals right after law school and then for Justice O'Connor the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-forman-jr/i-clerked-for-a-judge-william-norris-on-the-9th-circuit-court-of/) [James Forman, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-forman-jr/) > [I find it very frustrating how much passing the buck there is in the criminal justice system when it comes to taking responsibility for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-forman-jr/i-find-it-very-frustrating-how-much-passing-the-buck-there-is-in-the/) [James Forman, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-forman-jr/) > [You can get rid of the teacher certification requirements, and you're still not going to have a rush of incredibly high-quality people going into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-forman-jr/you-can-get-rid-of-the-teacher-certification-requirements-and-you-re/) [James Forman, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-forman-jr/) > [How come we never use prison, the failure of prison, as a reason not to give more prison? There's never a moment where we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-forman-jr/how-come-we-never-use-prison-the-failure-of-prison-as-a-reason-not-to/) [James Forman, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-forman-jr/) > [We rarely have good alternatives to offer to prison - that's our default.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-forman-jr/we-rarely-have-good-alternatives-to-offer-to-prison-that-s-our-default/) [James Forman, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-forman-jr/) > [“Mass incarceration is the result of small, distinct steps, each of whose significance becomes more apparent over time, and only when considered in light…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-forman-jr/mass-incarceration-is-the-result-of-small-distinct-steps-each-of/) [James Forman, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-forman-jr/) > [The fundamental problem for the teaching profession is how undervalued it is and how underpaid teachers are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-forman-jr/the-fundamental-problem-for-the-teaching-profession-is-how/) [James Forman, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-forman-jr/) > [In terms of addressing crime issues in the black community, the dominant political class has historically refused to endorse the full slate of reforms…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-forman-jr/in-terms-of-addressing-crime-issues-in-the-black-community-the/) [James Forman, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-forman-jr/) > [I had gone to law school thinking that I would do something in the service of black people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-forman-jr/i-had-gone-to-law-school-thinking-that-i-would-do-something-in-the/) [James Forman, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-forman-jr/) [Explore all 30 James Forman, Jr quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-forman-jr/) ## 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": "What if we strove for compassion, for mercy, for forgiveness? And what if we did this for everybody, including people who have harmed others?", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "James Forman, Jr" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-forman-jr/what-if-we-strove-for-compassion-for-mercy-for-forgiveness-and-what/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Compassion" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-forman-jr/what-if-we-strove-for-compassion-for-mercy-for-forgiveness-and-what/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc6/james-forman-jr-20846_compassion_what-if-we-strove-for-compassion-for-mer_1394422.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc6/james-forman-jr-20846_compassion_what-if-we-strove-for-compassion-for-mer_1394422.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fc6/james-forman-jr-20846_compassion_what-if-we-strove-for-compassion-for-mer_1394422.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What if we strove for compassion, for mercy, for forgiveness? And what if we did this for everybody…” — James Forman, Jr", "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": "James Forman, Jr", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-forman-jr/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What if we strove for compassion,...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-forman-jr/what-if-we-strove-for-compassion-for-mercy-for-forgiveness-and-what/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-forman-jr/what-if-we-strove-for-compassion-for-mercy-for-forgiveness-and-what/#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 } } ] } ```