---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Qualities like love and compassion are…"
description: "\"Qualities like love and compassion are not just abstract virtues that are the property of saints and adepts. Anyone can develop these qualities in them..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ef/joanna-macy-15005_abstract_qualities-like-love-and-compassion-are-n_793853.jpg"
---

#  Qualities like love and compassion are not just abstract…

![“Qualities like love and compassion are not just abstract virtues that are the property of saints and adepts. Anyone can develop these qualities in themselves by doing spiritual practices. As the Buddha said, Come and see.” quote by Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ef/joanna-macy-15005_abstract_qualities-like-love-and-compassion-are-n_793853.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ef/joanna-macy-15005_abstract_qualities-like-love-and-compassion-are-n_793853.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ef/joanna-macy-15005_abstract_qualities-like-love-and-compassion-are-n_793853.jpg)

> “Qualities like love and compassion are not just abstract virtues that are the property of saints and adepts. Anyone can develop these qualities in themselves by doing spiritual practices. As the Buddha said, Come and see.”

[Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Love and compassion are not just saintly virtues; anyone can develop them through spiritual practice.

**In simple terms:** Love and compassion can be cultivated by anyone.

Key Takeaway

Practice spiritual habits to grow compassion.

Themes

compassion spirituality growth

Mood

hopeful encouraging

Type

inspirational educational

When to use this quote

- daily meditation
- community service
- reflection journals
- group workshops

Key Concepts

mindfulness ethical development

Questions to Reflect On

- What practices can nurture compassion?
- How does compassion change daily life?

A Different Perspective

Requires consistent effort and guidance.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Abstract](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstract/) [Character](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/character/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Develop Qualities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/develop-qualities-1558896/) [Like love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-love/) [Love](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love/) [Love and compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-and-compassion/) [Love compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/love-compassion/) [Practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/practice/) [Property](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/property/) [Qualities](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/qualities/) [Qualities Doing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/qualities-doing-4141563/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [Saint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saint/) [Spiritual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual/) [Spiritual practice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spiritual-practice/) [Virtue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/virtue/)

## Related quotes

> [Our compassion is the fruit of our spiritual lives; it actually arises spontaneously when formed by intention in our spiritual practice. Love and compassion…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wayne-teasdale/our-compassion-is-the-fruit-of-our-spiritual-lives-it-actually-arises/)

[Wayne Teasdale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wayne-teasdale/)

> [One can overcome the forces of negative emotions, like anger and hatred, by cultivating their counter-forces, like love and compassion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/one-can-overcome-the-forces-of-negative-emotions-like-anger-and/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [We believe in a government strong enough to use words like "love" and "compassion" and smart enough to convert our noblest aspirations into practical…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-cuomo/we-believe-in-a-government-strong-enough-to-use-words-like-love-and/)

[Mario Cuomo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-cuomo/)

> [Do not be afraid to project your strengths and qualities to others. By doing so, you reinforce those ideas in your mind and encourage…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-not-be-afraid-to-project-your-strengths-and-qualities-to-others-by/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [“At certain epochs, man has felt conscious of something about himself - body and spirit - which was outside the day-to-day struggle for existence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-clark/at-certain-epochs-man-has-felt-conscious-of-something-about-himself/)

[Kenneth Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-clark/)

> [By taking elements you observe in life, you can develop qualities in your acting life that you don't ordinarily call upon in your personal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-adler/by-taking-elements-you-observe-in-life-you-can-develop-qualities-in/)

[Stella Adler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-adler/)

> [“What I learned was that in order to achive great success in life, you must become a special kind of person. To rise above…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-tracy/what-i-learned-was-that-in-order-to-achive-great-success-in-life-you/)

[Brian Tracy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-tracy/)

> [It is a simple truth that if we identify ourselves as being fundamentally pure, strong, and capable we will actually develop these qualities, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thubten-yeshe/it-is-a-simple-truth-that-if-we-identify-ourselves-as-being/)

[Thubten Yeshe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thubten-yeshe/)

> [“If we sow the seeds of hatred and envy and discouragement in others, we, in turn, develop these qualities in ourselves.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/napoleon-hill/if-we-sow-the-seeds-of-hatred-and-envy-and-discouragement-in-others/)

[Napoleon Hill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/napoleon-hill/)

> [The core philosophy we share with leaders is that everyone can develop the qualities in themselves. We all have strengths, but where we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-bates/the-core-philosophy-we-share-with-leaders-is-that-everyone-can/)

[Suzanne Bates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-bates/)

> [It is time to fill the world with strong and powerful deeds. It is common knowledge that no great captain in the world has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-time-to-fill-the-world-with-strong-and-powerful-deeds-it-is/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [To meet someone who really hurts you is to meet a rare and precious treasure. Hold that person in high esteem, and make full…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dilgo-khyentse-rinpoche/to-meet-someone-who-really-hurts-you-is-to-meet-a-rare-and-precious/)

[Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dilgo-khyentse-rinpoche/)

> [The whole purpose of religion is to facilitate love and compassion, patience, tolerance, humility, and forgiveness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/the-whole-purpose-of-religion-is-to-facilitate-love-and-compassion/)

[Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/)

> [I would like my life to be a statement of love and compassion--and where it isn't, that's where my work lies.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ram-dass/i-would-like-my-life-to-be-a-statement-of-love-and-compassion-and/)

[Ram Dass](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ram-dass/)

> [“surround yourself with people who allow you to be yourself, it does not mean be around others who do not have a sense of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tasha-hoggatt/surround-yourself-with-people-who-allow-you-to-be-yourself-it-does/)

[Tasha Hoggatt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tasha-hoggatt/)

## More by Joanna Macy

> [The heart that breaks open can contain the whole universe... All is registered in the 'boundless heart' of the bodhisattva. Through our deepest and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/the-heart-that-breaks-open-can-contain-the-whole-universe-all-is/)

[Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/)

> [When you look at what is happening to our world-and it is hard to look at what's happening to our water, our air, our…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/when-you-look-at-what-is-happening-to-our-world-and-it-is-hard-to/)

[Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/)

> [“In the first movement, our infancy as a species, we felt no separation from the natural world around us. Trees, rocks, and plants surrounded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/in-the-first-movement-our-infancy-as-a-species-we-felt-no-separation/)

[Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/)

> [“Yet, even focusing on this present life, disciples often queried the Buddha as to who is responsible for the habits, sufferings, and pleasures we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/yet-even-focusing-on-this-present-life-disciples-often-queried-the/)

[Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/)

> [There's a song that wants to sing itself through us. We just got to be available. Maybe the song that is to be sung…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/there-s-a-song-that-wants-to-sing-itself-through-us-we-just-got-to-be/)

[Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/)

> [Clothe yourself in your authority. You speak not only as yourself or for yourself. You will speak and act with the courage and endurance…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/clothe-yourself-in-your-authority-you-speak-not-only-as-yourself-or/)

[Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/)

> [There are the holding actions, the changing actions, and the vision of the future - what we want to see happen for the Earth.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/there-are-the-holding-actions-the-changing-actions-and-the-vision-of/)

[Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/)

> [We are capable of suffering with our world, and that is the true meaning of compassion. It enables us to recognize our profound interconnectedness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/we-are-capable-of-suffering-with-our-world-and-that-is-the-true/)

[Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/)

> [Action isn't a burden to be hoisted up and lugged around on our shoulders. It is something we are. The work we have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/action-isn-t-a-burden-to-be-hoisted-up-and-lugged-around-on-our/)

[Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/)

> [The most radical thing any of us can do at this time is to be fully present to what is happening in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/the-most-radical-thing-any-of-us-can-do-at-this-time-is-to-be-fully/)

[Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/)

> [This is a dark time, filled with suffering and uncertainty. Like living cells in a larger body, it is natural that we feel the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/this-is-a-dark-time-filled-with-suffering-and-uncertainty-like-living/)

[Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/)

> [Future generations, if there is a livable world for them, will look back at the epochal transition we are making to a life-sustaining society.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/future-generations-if-there-is-a-livable-world-for-them-will-look/)

[Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/)

> [Because the relationship between self and world is reciprocal, it is not a matter of first getting enlightened or saved and then acting. As…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/because-the-relationship-between-self-and-world-is-reciprocal-it-is/)

[Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/)

> [It’s walking the razor’s edge of the sacred moment where you don’t know, you can’t count on, and comfort yourself with any sure hope.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/it-s-walking-the-razor-s-edge-of-the-sacred-moment-where-you-don-t/)

[Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/)

> [It is my experience that the world itself has a role to play in our liberation. Its very pressures, pains, and risks can wake…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/it-is-my-experience-that-the-world-itself-has-a-role-to-play-in-our/)

[Joanna Macy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/)

[Explore all 44 Joanna Macy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/)

## More Abstract quotes

> [Love is like that, fragile and light. No wonder it rests upon our hearts in intangible moments, bids us follow fleeting thoughts and ideas…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/love-is-like-that-fragile-and-light-no-wonder-it-rests-upon-our/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Wisdom is the abstract of the past, but beauty is the promise of the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/wisdom-is-the-abstract-of-the-past-but-beauty-is-the-promise-of-the/)

[Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/)

> [Where human eyes have never seen, where human beings have never been, I build a world of abstract dreams, and I wait for you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sun-ra/where-human-eyes-have-never-seen-where-human-beings-have-never-been-i/)

[Sun Ra](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sun-ra/)

> [A little too abstract, a little too wise, It is time for us to kiss the earth again, It is time to let the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robinson-jeffers/a-little-too-abstract-a-little-too-wise-it-is-time-for-us-to-kiss-the/)

[Robinson Jeffers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robinson-jeffers/)

> [“Happy is very abstract, you can't touch it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julius-veal/happy-is-very-abstract-you-can-t-touch-it/)

[Julius Veal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julius-veal/)

> [Abstract Expressionism was invented by New York drunks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/abstract-expressionism-was-invented-by-new-york-drunks/)

[Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/)

> [The more horrible this world (as today, for instance), the more abstract our art, whereas a happy world brings forth an art of the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-klee/the-more-horrible-this-world-as-today-for-instance-the-more-abstract/)

[Paul Klee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-klee/)

> [Describing comic sensibility is near impossible. It's sort of an abstract silliness, that sometimes the joke isn't the star.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-carvey/describing-comic-sensibility-is-near-impossible-it-s-sort-of-an/)

[Dana Carvey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-carvey/)

> [For people of color - especially African Americans - the idea that racist cops might frame members of their community is no abstract notion,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-wise/for-people-of-color-especially-african-americans-the-idea-that-racist/)

[Tim Wise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-wise/)

> [The word of the Lord never comes to us as an opinion, no attempt is made to support it by argument, it comes as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-w-ivins/the-word-of-the-lord-never-comes-to-us-as-an-opinion-no-attempt-is/)

[Anthony W. Ivins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-w-ivins/)

> [A mobile is an abstract sculpture made chiefly out of sheet metal, steel rods, wire and wood. Some or all of these elements move,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexander-calder/a-mobile-is-an-abstract-sculpture-made-chiefly-out-of-sheet-metal/)

[Alexander Calder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexander-calder/)

> [I'm this superphilosophical kind of person. Stuck in a prison of abstract ideas and overpowering emotions, I have this personality that makes it really…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natsuo-kirino/i-m-this-superphilosophical-kind-of-person-stuck-in-a-prison-of/)

[Natsuo Kirino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natsuo-kirino/)

> [Future lawyers should be more aware that law is not a system of abstract logic, but the web of arrangements, rooted in history but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/felix-frankfurter/future-lawyers-should-be-more-aware-that-law-is-not-a-system-of/)

[Felix Frankfurter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/felix-frankfurter/)

> [The trouble is that when you read criticisms about the other films that I've made you get the impression that they're all about themes,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-haneke/the-trouble-is-that-when-you-read-criticisms-about-the-other-films/)

[Michael Haneke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-haneke/)

> [Painting is... a richer language than words... Painting operates through signs which are not abstract and incorporeal like words. The signs of painting are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-dubuffet/painting-is-a-richer-language-than-words-painting-operates-through/)

[Jean Dubuffet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-dubuffet/)

[Browse all 1,403 Abstract quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/abstract/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "Qualities like love and compassion are not just abstract virtues that are the property of saints and adepts. Anyone can develop these qualities in themselves by doing spiritual practices. As the Buddha said, Come and see.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Joanna Macy"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/qualities-like-love-and-compassion-are-not-just-abstract-virtues-that/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Abstract"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/qualities-like-love-and-compassion-are-not-just-abstract-virtues-that/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ef/joanna-macy-15005_abstract_qualities-like-love-and-compassion-are-n_793853.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ef/joanna-macy-15005_abstract_qualities-like-love-and-compassion-are-n_793853.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9ef/joanna-macy-15005_abstract_qualities-like-love-and-compassion-are-n_793853.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Qualities like love and compassion are not just abstract virtues that are the property of saints and adepts…” — Joanna Macy",
                "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": "Joanna Macy",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joanna-macy/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Qualities like love and compassion are...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/qualities-like-love-and-compassion-are-not-just-abstract-virtues-that/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joanna-macy/qualities-like-love-and-compassion-are-not-just-abstract-virtues-that/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
