--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Gentleness succeeds better than violence." description: "\"Gentleness succeeds better than violence.\" — Jean de La Fontaine" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/824/jean-de-la-fontaine-2320_gentleness_gentleness-succeeds-better-than-violence_3231470.jpg" --- # Gentleness succeeds better than violence. ![“Gentleness succeeds better than violence.” quote by Jean de La Fontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/824/jean-de-la-fontaine-2320_gentleness_gentleness-succeeds-better-than-violence_3231470.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/824/jean-de-la-fontaine-2320_gentleness_gentleness-succeeds-better-than-violence_3231470.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/824/jean-de-la-fontaine-2320_gentleness_gentleness-succeeds-better-than-violence_3231470.jpg) > “Gentleness succeeds better than violence.” [Jean de La Fontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-fontaine/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Gentleness achieves more lasting success than force; kindness wins where aggression fails. **In simple terms:** Kindness works better than violence. Key Takeaway Choose gentle approaches. Themes gentleness conflict resolution morality Mood thoughtful calm Type advice philosophical When to use this quote - negotiations - parenting - leadership Key Concepts power dynamics empathy influence Questions to Reflect On - When is firmness preferable? - How can you balance gentleness and assertiveness? A Different Perspective Gentleness may be perceived as weakness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Better Violence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better-violence-1587188/) [Gentleness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleness/) [Gentleness Succeeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleness-succeeds-6115025/) [Inspirational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/inspirational/) [Succeed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/succeed/) [Succeeds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/succeeds/) [Succeeds Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/succeeds-better-6115026/) [Violence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/violence/) ## Related quotes > [It is better to be violence, if thare is violence in our hearts , than to put on the clock of nonviolence to cover…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/drparth/it-is-better-to-be-violence-if-thare-is-violence-in-our-hearts-than/) [Drparth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/drparth/) > [“You can't transform a society for the better with violence, Ashala. Only with ideas.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambelin-kwaymullina/you-can-t-transform-a-society-for-the-better-with-violence-ashala/) [Ambelin Kwaymullina](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambelin-kwaymullina/) > [If we start treating addiction as a public health issue, with more compassion, and without the criminal element, our society will be better off…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-fetterman/if-we-start-treating-addiction-as-a-public-health-issue-with-more/) [John Fetterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-fetterman/) > [Where there's liberty, art succeeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronald-reagan/where-there-s-liberty-art-succeeds/) [Ronald Reagan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronald-reagan/) > [I think certain movies work and that is part of the magic of it all. We can't truly define why something succeeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barry-levinson/i-think-certain-movies-work-and-that-is-part-of-the-magic-of-it-all/) [Barry Levinson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-levinson/) > [When one team member succeeds, the entire team succeeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stacy-allison/when-one-team-member-succeeds-the-entire-team-succeeds/) [Stacy Allison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stacy-allison/) > [No revolution succeeds without sacrifice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diana-palmer/no-revolution-succeeds-without-sacrifice/) [Diana Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diana-palmer/) > [If the art is concealed, it succeeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ovid/if-the-art-is-concealed-it-succeeds/) [Ovid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ovid/) > [When I try, I fail. When I trust, He succeeds.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corrie-ten-boom/when-i-try-i-fail-when-i-trust-he-succeeds/) [Corrie Ten Boom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corrie-ten-boom/) > [But the more an organization succeeds and prospers, the more it is likely to be diverted from its original ideals, principles and purposes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-shea/but-the-more-an-organization-succeeds-and-prospers-the-more-it-is/) [Robert Shea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-shea/) > [“Evening succeeds evening.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rae-armantrout/evening-succeeds-evening/) [Rae Armantrout](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rae-armantrout/) > [“He didn’t fail to disappoint. He always succeeds at failing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/he-didn-t-fail-to-disappoint-he-always-succeeds-at-failing/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [He that succeeds makes an important thing of the immediate task.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-feather/he-that-succeeds-makes-an-important-thing-of-the-immediate-task/) [William Feather](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-feather/) > [No one fails alone and no one succeeds alone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-thomas/no-one-fails-alone-and-no-one-succeeds-alone/) [Eric Thomas](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-thomas/) > [Isn't it amazing the way the future succeeds in creating an appropriate past?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-leonard/isn-t-it-amazing-the-way-the-future-succeeds-in-creating-an/) [John Leonard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leonard/) ## More by Jean de La Fontaine > [Nothing is so oppressive as a secret: women find it difficult to keep one long; and I know a goodly number of men who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-fontaine/nothing-is-so-oppressive-as-a-secret-women-find-it-difficult-to-keep/) [Jean de La Fontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-fontaine/) > [One should stick to the sort of thing for which one was made; I tried to be an herbalist, Whereas I should keep to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-fontaine/one-should-stick-to-the-sort-of-thing-for-which-one-was-made-i-tried/) [Jean de La Fontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-fontaine/) > [ No flowery road leads to glory. \[Fr., Aucun chemin de fleurs ne conduit a la gloire.\] ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-fontaine/no-flowery-road-leads-to-glory-fr-aucun-chemin-de-fleurs-ne-conduit-a/) [Jean de La Fontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-fontaine/) > [Nothing is as dangerous as an ignorant friend; a wise enemy is to be preferred.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-fontaine/nothing-is-as-dangerous-as-an-ignorant-friend-a-wise-enemy-is-to-be/) [Jean de La Fontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-fontaine/) > [“Everyone believes very easily whatever he fears or desires.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-fontaine/everyone-believes-very-easily-whatever-he-fears-or-desires/) [Jean de La Fontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-fontaine/) > [Example is a dangerous lure: where the wasp got through the gnat sticks fast.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-fontaine/example-is-a-dangerous-lure-where-the-wasp-got-through-the-gnat/) [Jean de La Fontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-fontaine/) > [Neither wealth or greatness render us happy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-fontaine/neither-wealth-or-greatness-render-us-happy/) [Jean de La Fontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-fontaine/) > [No favor can win gratitude from a cat.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-fontaine/no-favor-can-win-gratitude-from-a-cat/) [Jean de La Fontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-fontaine/) > [Love cries victory when the tears of a woman become the sole defence of her virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-fontaine/love-cries-victory-when-the-tears-of-a-woman-become-the-sole-defence/) [Jean de La Fontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-fontaine/) > [A person often meets his destiny on the road he took to avoid it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-fontaine/a-person-often-meets-his-destiny-on-the-road-he-took-to-avoid-it/) [Jean de La Fontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-fontaine/) > [You've tried to reform what will not learn. Shut doors on traits that you wish were dead; They will open a window and return.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-fontaine/you-ve-tried-to-reform-what-will-not-learn-shut-doors-on-traits-that/) [Jean de La Fontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-fontaine/) > [We ought never to scoff at the wretched, for who can be sure of continued happiness?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-fontaine/we-ought-never-to-scoff-at-the-wretched-for-who-can-be-sure-of/) [Jean de La Fontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-fontaine/) > [Such gluttony second to none Almost ended fatally When a bone choked a wolf as he gulped what he ate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-fontaine/such-gluttony-second-to-none-almost-ended-fatally-when-a-bone-choked/) [Jean de La Fontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-fontaine/) > [Every flatterer lives at the expense of him who listens to him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-fontaine/every-flatterer-lives-at-the-expense-of-him-who-listens-to-him/) [Jean de La Fontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-fontaine/) > [Cats know not how to pardon.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-fontaine/cats-know-not-how-to-pardon/) [Jean de La Fontaine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-fontaine/) [Explore all 166 Jean de La Fontaine quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-fontaine/) ## More Gentleness quotes > [“SILENT LIKE SLEEP You appear by my side, silent like sleep. Soft hair, a little wild. No fear, gentle like a calm river. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-goddard/silent-like-sleep-you-appear-by-my-side-silent-like-sleep-soft-hair-a/) [Donna Goddard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-goddard/) > [Grace is the wonderful spirit that imbues every fiber of our being when we practice the fruits of the spirit: kindness, patience, understanding, forgiveness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-cayce/grace-is-the-wonderful-spirit-that-imbues-every-fiber-of-our-being/) [Edgar Cayce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-cayce/) > [“I’m a man of stone - and my hands are not soft enough to brush away, each stray wisp of hair”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-j-geddes/i-m-a-man-of-stone-and-my-hands-are-not-soft-enough-to-brush-away/) [john j geddes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-j-geddes/) > [“Whatever you do, be gentle. People might have forgiven your harsh words but they may never forget how it stabbed their heart at that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mufti-ismail-menk/whatever-you-do-be-gentle-people-might-have-forgiven-your-harsh-words/) [Mufti Ismail Menk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mufti-ismail-menk/) > [“Each of us is the ultimate expert on the gentleness and understanding we deserve.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-sar-aira/each-of-us-is-the-ultimate-expert-on-the-gentleness-and-understanding/) [César Aira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-sar-aira/) > [Every man has his price. This is not true. But for every man there exists a bait which he cannot resist swallowing. To win…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/every-man-has-his-price-this-is-not-true-but-for-every-man-there/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [In the end we are always rewarded for our good will, our patience, fair-mindedness, and gentleness with what is strange.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/in-the-end-we-are-always-rewarded-for-our-good-will-our-patience-fair/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Yet, it had been Dimitri’s gentleness and thoughtfulness mixed with that deadliness that made him so wonderful. The same hands that wielded stakes with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richelle-mead/yet-it-had-been-dimitri-s-gentleness-and-thoughtfulness-mixed-with/) [Richelle Mead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richelle-mead/) > [I started understanding that my strength is my gentleness. A leader isn't a dictator, a leader is a servant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-gaskins/i-started-understanding-that-my-strength-is-my-gentleness-a-leader/) [Tony Gaskins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tony-gaskins/) > [Daphne," he said with controlled gentleness, "what is wrong?" She sat down opposite him and placed a hand on his cheek. "I'm so insensitive,"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julia-quinn/daphne-he-said-with-controlled-gentleness-what-is-wrong-she-sat-down/) [Julia Quinn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julia-quinn/) > [Being empowered includes developing the powerful qualities that lead human beings to cultivate wellness and healing. And those are the same qualities that enhance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-kest/being-empowered-includes-developing-the-powerful-qualities-that-lead/) [Bryan Kest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-kest/) > [“KINGDOM OF THE WOMB From her thighs, she gives you life And how you treat she who gives you life Shows how much you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/kingdom-of-the-womb-from-her-thighs-she-gives-you-life-and-how-you/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [“Never in England were there so many gentlemen and so little gentleness.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/c-j-sansom/never-in-england-were-there-so-many-gentlemen-and-so-little-gentleness/) [C.J. Sansom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/c-j-sansom/) > [Your gentleness shall force More than your force move us to gentleness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/your-gentleness-shall-force-more-than-your-force-move-us-to-gentleness/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [“There are gentler and more graceful ways to interface with natural conflict.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryant-mcgill/there-are-gentler-and-more-graceful-ways-to-interface-with-natural/) [Bryant McGill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryant-mcgill/) [Browse all 489 Gentleness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gentleness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Gentleness succeeds better than violence.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Jean de La Fontaine" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-fontaine/gentleness-succeeds-better-than-violence/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Gentleness" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-fontaine/gentleness-succeeds-better-than-violence/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/824/jean-de-la-fontaine-2320_gentleness_gentleness-succeeds-better-than-violence_3231470.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/824/jean-de-la-fontaine-2320_gentleness_gentleness-succeeds-better-than-violence_3231470.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/824/jean-de-la-fontaine-2320_gentleness_gentleness-succeeds-better-than-violence_3231470.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Gentleness succeeds better than violence.” — Jean de La Fontaine", "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": "Jean de La Fontaine", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-de-la-fontaine/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Gentleness succeeds better than violence.", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-fontaine/gentleness-succeeds-better-than-violence/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-de-la-fontaine/gentleness-succeeds-better-than-violence/#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 } } ] } ```