--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Compassion doesn't have to be learned…" description: "\"“Compassion doesn't have to be learned. It's part of our fabric. We have just been programmed to neglect it over time, and THAT is what we have to unle..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a89/joan-marques-9874_compassion_compassion-doesn-t-have-to-be-learned-it_1606374.jpg" --- # Compassion doesn't have to be learned. It's part of our… ![“Compassion doesn't have to be learned. It's part of our fabric. We have just been programmed to neglect it over time, and THAT is what we have to unlearn.” quote by Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a89/joan-marques-9874_compassion_compassion-doesn-t-have-to-be-learned-it_1606374.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a89/joan-marques-9874_compassion_compassion-doesn-t-have-to-be-learned-it_1606374.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a89/joan-marques-9874_compassion_compassion-doesn-t-have-to-be-learned-it_1606374.jpg) > ““Compassion doesn't have to be learned. It's part of our fabric. We have just been programmed to neglect it over time, and THAT is what we have to unlearn.”” [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Compassion is innate, but cultural conditioning suppresses it. **In simple terms:** We must relearn empathy. Key Takeaway Practice empathy, undo neglect. Themes empathy human nature social conditioning Mood reflective hopeful Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - education - community work - personal growth Key Concepts psychology social learning Questions to Reflect On - What habits have you neglected empathy? - How can you foster compassion daily? A Different Perspective Unlearning may be difficult without support. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Compassion Doesn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion-doesn-1412128/) [Doesn Learned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doesn-learned-6118359/) [Programmed Neglect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/programmed-neglect-6118358/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Time Unlearn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time-unlearn-1117842/) [Unlearn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unlearn/) ## Related quotes > [For me, every film is a learning process. After each, I take time to unlearn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vetrimaaran/for-me-every-film-is-a-learning-process-after-each-i-take-time-to/) [Vetrimaaran](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vetrimaaran/) > [Compassion doesn't have to be weak or enabling; it can also be quite bold.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-saunders/compassion-doesn-t-have-to-be-weak-or-enabling-it-can-also-be-quite/) [George Saunders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-saunders/) > [Compassion doesn't, of course, mean feeling sorry for people, or pity, which is how the word has become emasculated in a way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-armstrong/compassion-doesn-t-of-course-mean-feeling-sorry-for-people-or-pity/) [Karen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-armstrong/) > [Most women got this thing called compassion. It doesn't make them foolish, just more forgiving. More capable of trying and hoping things worked out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-jerome-dickey/most-women-got-this-thing-called-compassion-it-doesn-t-make-them/) [Eric Jerome Dickey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-jerome-dickey/) > [“Loving people are compassionate towards others. However, if that compassion doesn’t start at home and doesn’t include self-forgiveness, it is incomplete and lopsided.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annette-vaillancourt/loving-people-are-compassionate-towards-others-however-if-that/) [Annette Vaillancourt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annette-vaillancourt/) > [Culture now spreads at central nervous system speed. It’s a shame that compassion doesn’t.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-cavanagh/culture-now-spreads-at-central-nervous-system-speed-it-s-a-shame-that/) [Dean Cavanagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-cavanagh/) > [“Compassion doesn't arise from the belief that the evil in the world is somebody else's fault or that it is a result of poor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/holly-sprink/compassion-doesn-t-arise-from-the-belief-that-the-evil-in-the-world/) [Holly Sprink](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/holly-sprink/) > [Compassion doesn't weaken leadership, it makes it stronger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudy-giuliani/compassion-doesn-t-weaken-leadership-it-makes-it-stronger/) [Rudy Giuliani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudy-giuliani/) > [To Unlearn is as hard as to Learn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/to-unlearn-is-as-hard-as-to-learn/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [“the illiterate of the future will not be those that cannot read or write. Rather, they will be those that cannot learn, unlearn and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-woodward/the-illiterate-of-the-future-will-not-be-those-that-cannot-read-or/) [J.R. Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-woodward/) > [“I shall unlearn feeling, unlearn my gift. That is greater and harder than what passes there for life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/derek-walcott/i-shall-unlearn-feeling-unlearn-my-gift-that-is-greater-and-harder/) [Derek Walcott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/derek-walcott/) > [They who can no longer unlearn have lost the power to learn.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-lancaster-spalding/they-who-can-no-longer-unlearn-have-lost-the-power-to-learn/) [John Lancaster Spalding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-lancaster-spalding/) > [Such labour'd nothings, in so strange a style, Amaze th' unlearn'd and make the learned smile.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-pope/such-labour-d-nothings-in-so-strange-a-style-amaze-th-unlearn-d-and/) [Alexander Pope](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-pope/) > [“As you unlearn the lies that were unconsciously coded when you were a child and free yourself from the fears and emotions that held…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-f-martin/as-you-unlearn-the-lies-that-were-unconsciously-coded-when-you-were-a/) [Brian F. Martin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-f-martin/) > [Any change of government which has to be introduced should be one which men, starting from their existing constitutions, will be both willing and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/any-change-of-government-which-has-to-be-introduced-should-be-one/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) ## More by Joan Marques > [“Everywhere you go you'll see highs and lows These things are just part of life and its flows It helps to understand that no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/everywhere-you-go-you-ll-see-highs-and-lows-these-things-are-just/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“How sad if we allow our hearts to wane And obscure our joy with enduring pain While all things, good or bad, indisputably go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/how-sad-if-we-allow-our-hearts-to-wane-and-obscure-our-joy-with/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“Recipe for success: Multiple years of working hard Five containers of planning smart A blend of perseverance and sacrifice A wee bit sleep to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/recipe-for-success-multiple-years-of-working-hard-five-containers-of/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“Today's pace induces uncertainty, which stresses the end of security, welcomes the era of anxiety, and demands greater creativity - toward increased life quality.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/today-s-pace-induces-uncertainty-which-stresses-the-end-of-security/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“Life is like walking a tightrope: A balance between turning inward Often enough to find your happy core And focusing outward Often enough to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/life-is-like-walking-a-tightrope-a-balance-between-turning-inward/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“Every relationship, job, or situation Should reinforce your internal relation The surest way to derail your dream Is clinging to things that destroy your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/every-relationship-job-or-situation-should-reinforce-your-internal/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“There's a difference between apathy and acceptance. Apathy lets you endure life. Acceptance helps you enjoy it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/there-s-a-difference-between-apathy-and-acceptance-apathy-lets-you/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“When you stop searching, you find. When you stop looking, you see. When you stop battling, you win. When you stop taking, you receive.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/when-you-stop-searching-you-find-when-you-stop-looking-you-see-when/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“If my shoes were made of humility; my dress of compassion; my hat of respect, my jewelry of gratitude, and my perfume of determination,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/if-my-shoes-were-made-of-humility-my-dress-of-compassion-my-hat-of/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“Some "free" people are more imprisoned than those that are locked away. Trapped in narrow mindsets, they carry their mental prison with them day…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/some-free-people-are-more-imprisoned-than-those-that-are-locked-away/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“Be kind to your mind: use it regularly by thinking critically. When thinking stops, the quality of the mind drops. And with a lazy…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/be-kind-to-your-mind-use-it-regularly-by-thinking-critically-when/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“When we stop pushing we realize that it was all for habit, fear, envy, or greed. In the calmness after the strife we often…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/when-we-stop-pushing-we-realize-that-it-was-all-for-habit-fear-envy/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“Don't think too low of yourself: it attracts negative energy. Don't think too high of yourself: it leads to arrogance. Just don't think about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/don-t-think-too-low-of-yourself-it-attracts-negative-energy-don-t/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“If we claim to be a higher order than animals, how come that we're the only species that engages in killing for sport, hurting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/if-we-claim-to-be-a-higher-order-than-animals-how-come-that-we-re-the/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) > [“When people try to affront you, you can do two things: either accept it and ruin your day, or leave their gift unaccepted, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-marques/when-people-try-to-affront-you-you-can-do-two-things-either-accept-it/) [Joan Marques](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) [Explore all 69 Joan Marques quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-marques/) ## 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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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 doesn't have to be learned. 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