--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Kindness is the essence of greatness and…" description: "\"Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known. Kindness is a passport that opens do..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04f/joseph-b-wirthlin-822_characteristics_kindness-is-the-essence-of-greatness-and_584044.jpg" --- # Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental… ![“Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known. Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes.” quote by Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04f/joseph-b-wirthlin-822_characteristics_kindness-is-the-essence-of-greatness-and_584044.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04f/joseph-b-wirthlin-822_characteristics_kindness-is-the-essence-of-greatness-and_584044.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04f/joseph-b-wirthlin-822_characteristics_kindness-is-the-essence-of-greatness-and_584044.jpg) > “Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known. Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes.” [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Greatness stems from genuine kindness, which builds lasting bonds and creates opportunities. **In simple terms:** Kindness creates lasting bonds and opens doors. Key Takeaway Practice kindness daily to build lasting relationships. Themes kindness greatness relationships leadership Mood warm inspiring reflective Type advice philosophical motivational When to use this quote - community building - networking - conflict resolution - mentorship Key Concepts social capital empathy character development Questions to Reflect On - How can you demonstrate kindness in a challenging situation? - What relationships have been strengthened by your kindness? A Different Perspective Kindness alone may not overcome systemic barriers without structural change. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Essence](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/essence/) [Fashion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fashion/) [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Greatness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/greatness/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindness/) [Lifetime](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lifetime/) [Men](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men/) [Men and women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/men-and-women/) ## Related quotes > [Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/kindness-is-the-essence-of-greatness-and-the-fundamental-2/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/kindness-is-a-passport-that-opens-doors-and-fashions-friends-it/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [Kindness is the essence of greatness.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/kindness-is-the-essence-of-greatness/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [The first element of greatness is fundamental humbleness (this should not be confused with servility); the second is freedom from self; the third is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margot-asquith/the-first-element-of-greatness-is-fundamental-humbleness-this-should/) [Margot Asquith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margot-asquith/) > [Such simple and steady acts of kindness are the essence of love, the substance of life. All of us need love; all of us…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lloyd-d-newell/such-simple-and-steady-acts-of-kindness-are-the-essence-of-love-the/) [Lloyd D. Newell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lloyd-d-newell/) > [Kindness is the essence of truth, when we are kind toward others it reflects our true self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/kindness-is-the-essence-of-truth-when-we-are-kind-toward-others-it/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I've got a little baby, I made him...He doesn't speak, he's 2...He's a slow learner, he's only got 2 words...car and map...I'm slightly worried…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-mcintyre/i-ve-got-a-little-baby-i-made-him-he-doesn-t-speak-he-s-2-he-s-a-slow/) [Michael McIntyre](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-mcintyre/) > [Bharat for Bhutan and Bhutan for Bharat. The colour of our passports may be different but our thinking is the same. India stands committed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/narendra-modi/bharat-for-bhutan-and-bhutan-for-bharat-the-colour-of-our-passports/) [Narendra Modi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/narendra-modi/) > [Whatever happens with Brexit, what I am absolutely convinced will not happen is that free movement of individuals, free movement of people, will not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-varadkar/whatever-happens-with-brexit-what-i-am-absolutely-convinced-will-not/) [Leo Varadkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-varadkar/) > [Then there are some minor points that strike me as suggestive - for instance, the position of Mrs. Hubbard's sponge bag, the name of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/agatha-christie/then-there-are-some-minor-points-that-strike-me-as-suggestive-for/) [Agatha Christie](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/agatha-christie/) > [The passport changes but the blood doesn't](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mario-andretti/the-passport-changes-but-the-blood-doesn-t/) [Mario Andretti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mario-andretti/) > [I'm well-traveled. I've had to get a few passports because I ran out of pages.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amanda-lepore/i-m-well-traveled-i-ve-had-to-get-a-few-passports-because-i-ran-out/) [Amanda Lepore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amanda-lepore/) > [If you actually look like your passport photo, you aren't well enough to travel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivian-fuchs/if-you-actually-look-like-your-passport-photo-you-aren-t-well-enough/) Vivian Fuchs > [We in US need active intelligence: people being on the streets, people being able to stop and ask questions of individuals that they suspect…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kimberly-guilfoyle/we-in-us-need-active-intelligence-people-being-on-the-streets-people/) [Kimberly Guilfoyle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kimberly-guilfoyle/) > [In the nineteenth century some parts of the world were unexplored, but there was almost no restriction on travel.:; Up to 1914 you did…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/in-the-nineteenth-century-some-parts-of-the-world-were-unexplored-but/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) ## More by Joseph B. Wirthlin > [As we progress and become more like the Savior, we can strengthen every group with whom we associate, including families and friends.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/as-we-progress-and-become-more-like-the-savior-we-can-strengthen/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [There was never any doubt of Christ's priorities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/there-was-never-any-doubt-of-christ-s-priorities/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [Although we might settle for less, Heavenly Father won't, for he sees us as the glorious beings we are capable of becoming.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/although-we-might-settle-for-less-heavenly-father-won-t-for-he-sees/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [My father was truly a great man. I remember one day putting my feet in my father's shoes. I was amazed at the size.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/my-father-was-truly-a-great-man-i-remember-one-day-putting-my-feet-in/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [The Savior was selfless. He viewed himself and his own needs as secondary, and he ministered to others tirelessly, lovingly, effectively.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/the-savior-was-selfless-he-viewed-himself-and-his-own-needs-as/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [Come what may and love it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/come-what-may-and-love-it/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [When the Savior Himself was born, there were troubled times.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/when-the-savior-himself-was-born-there-were-troubled-times/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [Logic itself affirms that a loving Heavenly Father would not abandon His children without providing a way for them to learn of Him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/logic-itself-affirms-that-a-loving-heavenly-father-would-not-abandon/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [Building our homes as fortresses of righteousness for protection from the world takes constant labor and diligence.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/building-our-homes-as-fortresses-of-righteousness-for-protection-from/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [The most treasured and sacred moments of our lives are those filled with the spirit of love. The greater the measure of our love,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/the-most-treasured-and-sacred-moments-of-our-lives-are-those-filled/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [Desire, burning desire, is basic to achieving anything beyond the ordinary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/desire-burning-desire-is-basic-to-achieving-anything-beyond-the/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [In the lonely hours, I have spent a great deal of time thinking about eternal things. I have contemplated the comforting doctrines of eternal…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/in-the-lonely-hours-i-have-spent-a-great-deal-of-time-thinking-about/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [When we make purchases on credit, they give us only an illusion of prosperity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/when-we-make-purchases-on-credit-they-give-us-only-an-illusion-of/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [The Spirit is as operative today in communicating the gospel to all who seek the truth as it was on the day of Pentecost…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/the-spirit-is-as-operative-today-in-communicating-the-gospel-to-all/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) > [Lying, stealing, and cheating are commonplace.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/lying-stealing-and-cheating-are-commonplace/) [Joseph B. Wirthlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) [Explore all 360 Joseph B. Wirthlin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/) ## More Characteristics quotes > [One of the key characteristics of the comic book medium is that it is not brought to life by just one voice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-lee/one-of-the-key-characteristics-of-the-comic-book-medium-is-that-it-is/) [Jim Lee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-lee/) > [“What makes a good leader? I ask myself this every day, and then as I begin to list off characteristics I realize I’m describing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jarod-kintz/what-makes-a-good-leader-i-ask-myself-this-every-day-and-then-as-i/) [Jarod Kintz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jarod-kintz/) > [Those who know New York City primarily through tourism or mass culture may think of us natives as possessing certain shared characteristics, not all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-dee/those-who-know-new-york-city-primarily-through-tourism-or-mass/) [Jonathan Dee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-dee/) > [Sometimes, Ms. Lane," he said, "one must break with one's past to embrace one's future. It is never an easy thing to do. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-marie-moning/sometimes-ms-lane-he-said-one-must-break-with-one-s-past-to-embrace/) [Karen Marie Moning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-marie-moning/) > [Just because someone thinks they remember something in detail, with confidence and with emotion, does not mean that it actually happened, .. False memories…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-loftus/just-because-someone-thinks-they-remember-something-in-detail-with/) [Elizabeth Loftus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-loftus/) > [Consequently, citizen legislators, rotating back to their communities after a short period of public service—considered an indispensable and routine characteristic and design of representative…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/consequently-citizen-legislators-rotating-back-to-their-communities/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [A second characteristic of the process which for me is the good life, is that it involves an increasingly tendency to live fully in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carl-rogers/a-second-characteristic-of-the-process-which-for-me-is-the-good-life/) [Carl Rogers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carl-rogers/) > [Philanthropy is one of the most hopeful characteristics of our time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-livermore/philanthropy-is-one-of-the-most-hopeful-characteristics-of-our-time/) Mary Livermore > [God has given this way of life to Israel: to abstain from everything which is contrary to nature, that is to say, anger, fits…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/poemen/god-has-given-this-way-of-life-to-israel-to-abstain-from-everything/) [Poemen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/poemen/) > [The most significant moment will be when we stop referring to the hiring of qualified women (and racial, ethnic and religious minorities) as significant.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-trask/the-most-significant-moment-will-be-when-we-stop-referring-to-the/) Amy Trask > [Iron and coal dominated everywhere, from grey to black: the black boots, the black stove-pipe hat, the black coach or carriage, the black iron…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-mumford/iron-and-coal-dominated-everywhere-from-grey-to-black-the-black-boots/) [Lewis Mumford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-mumford/) > [The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. From the desperate city you go into the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/henry-david-thoreau/the-mass-of-men-lead-lives-of-quiet-desperation-what-is-called/) [Henry David Thoreau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/henry-david-thoreau/) > [I think it would be just to say the most essential characteristic of mind is memory, using this word in its broadest sense to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/i-think-it-would-be-just-to-say-the-most-essential-characteristic-of/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [ \[Joseph\] Stalin closes the exposition of these \[Leon Trotsky\] ideas with the words, "Such are in general the characteristic features of \[Vladimir\] Lenin's conception… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leon-trotsky/joseph-stalin-closes-the-exposition-of-these-leon-trotsky-ideas-with/) [Leon Trotsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leon-trotsky/) > [It is true that 'I seem to see a table' does not entail 'I see a table'; but 'I seem to feel a pain'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/galen-strawson/it-is-true-that-i-seem-to-see-a-table-does-not-entail-i-see-a-table/) [Galen Strawson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/galen-strawson/) Browse all 1,325 Characteristics quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have known. Kindness is a passport that opens doors and fashions friends. It softens hearts and molds relationships that can last lifetimes.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joseph B. Wirthlin" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/kindness-is-the-essence-of-greatness-and-the-fundamental/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Characteristics" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/kindness-is-the-essence-of-greatness-and-the-fundamental/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04f/joseph-b-wirthlin-822_characteristics_kindness-is-the-essence-of-greatness-and_584044.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04f/joseph-b-wirthlin-822_characteristics_kindness-is-the-essence-of-greatness-and_584044.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/04f/joseph-b-wirthlin-822_characteristics_kindness-is-the-essence-of-greatness-and_584044.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Kindness is the essence of greatness and the fundamental characteristic of the noblest men and women I have…” — Joseph B. Wirthlin", "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": "Joseph B. Wirthlin", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-b-wirthlin/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Kindness is the essence of greatness...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/kindness-is-the-essence-of-greatness-and-the-fundamental/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-b-wirthlin/kindness-is-the-essence-of-greatness-and-the-fundamental/#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 } } ] } ```