---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Compassion is fierce and strong, and it…"
description: "\"Compassion is fierce and strong, and it holds people accountable. But it doesn't do it with anger or judgment.\" — Judith Hanson Lasater"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/114/judith-hanson-lasater-12396_compassion_compassion-is-fierce-and-strong-and-it-h_1315203.jpg"
---

#  Compassion is fierce and strong, and it holds people…

![“Compassion is fierce and strong, and it holds people accountable. But it doesn't do it with anger or judgment.” quote by Judith Hanson Lasater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/114/judith-hanson-lasater-12396_compassion_compassion-is-fierce-and-strong-and-it-h_1315203.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/114/judith-hanson-lasater-12396_compassion_compassion-is-fierce-and-strong-and-it-h_1315203.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/114/judith-hanson-lasater-12396_compassion_compassion-is-fierce-and-strong-and-it-h_1315203.jpg)

> “Compassion is fierce and strong, and it holds people accountable. But it doesn't do it with anger or judgment.”

[Judith Hanson Lasater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-hanson-lasater/)

## About This Quote

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

Compassion can be powerful and hold others to standards without resorting to anger or judgment.

**In simple terms:** Strong compassion guides without harshness.

Key Takeaway

Practice firm kindness.

Themes

compassion accountability nonjudgment strength

Mood

empathetic determined

Type

motivational philosophical

When to use this quote

- relationships
- leadership
- conflict resolution
- personal growth

Key Concepts

mindfulness emotional intelligence

Questions to Reflect On

- How can you hold others accountable compassionately?
- When does compassion need firm limits?

A Different Perspective

Compassion may be perceived as weak if not paired with clear boundaries.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Judgment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judgment/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/)

## Related quotes

> [There are plenty of times we need fierce compassion, fierce love. Just like when a child does something that is very harmful and we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-coleman/there-are-plenty-of-times-we-need-fierce-compassion-fierce-love-just/)

[Mark Coleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-coleman/)

> [He doesn’t anger easily. This is good. (Takeshi) Yes, I’m more of a simmer slowly until it boils over and ruins everything kind of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherrilyn-kenyon/he-doesn-t-anger-easily-this-is-good-takeshi-yes-i-m-more-of-a-simmer/)

[Sherrilyn Kenyon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherrilyn-kenyon/)

> [You have to be able to know that the guy next to you is going to be held accountable if he doesn't do his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sony-michel/you-have-to-be-able-to-know-that-the-guy-next-to-you-is-going-to-be/)

[Sony Michel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sony-michel/)

> [I understand the frustration of the community, i want citizens to know exactly how it happened, and if necessary, I will ensure that we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-rawlings-blake/i-understand-the-frustration-of-the-community-i-want-citizens-to-know/)

[Stephanie Rawlings-Blake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-rawlings-blake/)

> [When you don't make people accountable, it leads to a superstar mentality where not everyone on the team is important.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-babcock/when-you-don-t-make-people-accountable-it-leads-to-a-superstar/)

[Mike Babcock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-babcock/)

> [The international community doesn't cast a vote here. Gabonese people do, so I am accountable to them. They are the ones to give me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-bongo-ondimba/the-international-community-doesn-t-cast-a-vote-here-gabonese-people/)

[Ali Bongo Ondimba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-bongo-ondimba/)

> [I'm going to have a special prosecutor. We're going to enforce the trade deals we have, and we're going to hold people accountable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-m-going-to-have-a-special-prosecutor-we-re-going-to-enforce-the/)

[Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/)

> [In the old days, the media is who held people accountable when they lied in politics. That isn't happening anymore.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/in-the-old-days-the-media-is-who-held-people-accountable-when-they/)

[Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/)

> [I would love to tell you this country is on the cusp of coming together, but it isn't. But I can tell you that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-tester/i-would-love-to-tell-you-this-country-is-on-the-cusp-of-coming/)

[Jon Tester](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-tester/)

> [We've got to start also holding people accountable, and we've got to reward people who succeed. But somehow in Washington today - and I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-mccain/we-ve-got-to-start-also-holding-people-accountable-and-we-ve-got-to/)

[John McCain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-mccain/)

> [When our Founders created this great experiment in self-governance, the House of Representatives became, by design, the body closest to the people. We are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cathy-mcmorris-rodgers/when-our-founders-created-this-great-experiment-in-self-governance/)

[Cathy McMorris Rodgers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cathy-mcmorris-rodgers/)

> [...leaders who do not hold their people accountable to a set standard are, in effect, thieves and liars. Thieves because they are stealing from…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-hunter/leaders-who-do-not-hold-their-people-accountable-to-a-set-standard/)

[James Hunter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-hunter/)

> [I think we need to continue to hold people accountable for their actions. I don't think there's anything wrong with doing that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tayshia-adams/i-think-we-need-to-continue-to-hold-people-accountable-for-their/)

[Tayshia Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tayshia-adams/)

> [As a former prosecutor, I understand the importance of holding powerful people accountable.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kamala-harris/as-a-former-prosecutor-i-understand-the-importance-of-holding/)

[Kamala Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kamala-harris/)

> [“When leaders define clear ownership and invest in others, they have sown the seeds of success and earned the right to hold people accountable.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-wiseman/when-leaders-define-clear-ownership-and-invest-in-others-they-have/)

[Liz Wiseman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-wiseman/)

## More by Judith Hanson Lasater

> [“... the only thing I was to do while living was to love everyone. That, she let me know, is the purpose of life.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-hanson-lasater/the-only-thing-i-was-to-do-while-living-was-to-love-everyone-that-she/)

[Judith Hanson Lasater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-hanson-lasater/)

> [“Am I suggesting that we no longer try to achieve our goals? Absolutely not. It is not accomplishment that is the problem. The problem…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-hanson-lasater/am-i-suggesting-that-we-no-longer-try-to-achieve-our-goals-absolutely/)

[Judith Hanson Lasater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-hanson-lasater/)

> [Follow your nature. The practice is really about uncovering your own pose; we have great respect for our teachers, but unless we can uncover…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-hanson-lasater/follow-your-nature-the-practice-is-really-about-uncovering-your-own/)

[Judith Hanson Lasater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-hanson-lasater/)

> [“... I consciously closed down my energy. He instantly left me alone. I learned a powerful lesson that day. When you open up your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-hanson-lasater/i-consciously-closed-down-my-energy-he-instantly-left-me-alone-i/)

[Judith Hanson Lasater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-hanson-lasater/)

> [Keep your drunken electrons dancing!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-hanson-lasater/keep-your-drunken-electrons-dancing/)

[Judith Hanson Lasater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-hanson-lasater/)

> [We are being called into realization with great urgency and extraordinary beauty, and oftentimes not without difficulty.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-hanson-lasater/we-are-being-called-into-realization-with-great-urgency-and/)

[Judith Hanson Lasater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-hanson-lasater/)

> [“I came to understand that belief is a preconception about the way reality should be; faith is the willingness to experience reality as it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-hanson-lasater/i-came-to-understand-that-belief-is-a-preconception-about-the-way/)

[Judith Hanson Lasater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-hanson-lasater/)

> [“Don't believe your thoughts; they are just neurotransmitters locking into receptor sites, not reality. ... As I studied and practiced more, I began to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-hanson-lasater/don-t-believe-your-thoughts-they-are-just-neurotransmitters-locking/)

[Judith Hanson Lasater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-hanson-lasater/)

> [ “\[Let\] go of your attachments: your attachment to being right, to having total control, or to living forever. This process of letting go is… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-hanson-lasater/let-go-of-your-attachments-your-attachment-to-being-right-to-having/)

[Judith Hanson Lasater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-hanson-lasater/)

> [You can't make yourself be compassionate, you can only keep stepping back and becoming a larger container in which compassion wants to live. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-hanson-lasater/you-can-t-make-yourself-be-compassionate-you-can-only-keep-stepping/)

[Judith Hanson Lasater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-hanson-lasater/)

> [“Now, well beyond my teens, I feel that there is no such thing as wasted love. Any love that we experience holds great power…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-hanson-lasater/now-well-beyond-my-teens-i-feel-that-there-is-no-such-thing-as-wasted/)

[Judith Hanson Lasater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-hanson-lasater/)

> [“I suggest that, before speaking or taking some other action, you first ask yourself these questions: Is it necessary? Is it true? Is it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-hanson-lasater/i-suggest-that-before-speaking-or-taking-some-other-action-you-first/)

[Judith Hanson Lasater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-hanson-lasater/)

> [“If you expect more from yourself than from others, you are saying that you are better than others and, therefore, must perform at a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-hanson-lasater/if-you-expect-more-from-yourself-than-from-others-you-are-saying-that/)

[Judith Hanson Lasater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-hanson-lasater/)

> [The time to recognize the power of community is here again. Not as some romanticized renaissance from times past, but as a necessarily new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-hanson-lasater/the-time-to-recognize-the-power-of-community-is-here-again-not-as/)

[Judith Hanson Lasater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-hanson-lasater/)

> [Why are we doing all these handstands, backbends and arm balances? I don't know why we're doing them unless our lives are shaped and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-hanson-lasater/why-are-we-doing-all-these-handstands-backbends-and-arm-balances-i/)

[Judith Hanson Lasater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-hanson-lasater/)

[Explore all 55 Judith Hanson Lasater quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-hanson-lasater/)

## 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": "Compassion is fierce and strong, and it holds people accountable. But it doesn't do it with anger or judgment.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Judith Hanson Lasater"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-hanson-lasater/compassion-is-fierce-and-strong-and-it-holds-people-accountable-but/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Compassion"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-hanson-lasater/compassion-is-fierce-and-strong-and-it-holds-people-accountable-but/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/114/judith-hanson-lasater-12396_compassion_compassion-is-fierce-and-strong-and-it-h_1315203.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/114/judith-hanson-lasater-12396_compassion_compassion-is-fierce-and-strong-and-it-h_1315203.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/114/judith-hanson-lasater-12396_compassion_compassion-is-fierce-and-strong-and-it-h_1315203.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“Compassion is fierce and strong, and it holds people accountable. But it doesn't do it with anger or judgment.” — Judith Hanson Lasater",
                "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": "Judith Hanson Lasater",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-hanson-lasater/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "Compassion is fierce and strong, and...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-hanson-lasater/compassion-is-fierce-and-strong-and-it-holds-people-accountable-but/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-hanson-lasater/compassion-is-fierce-and-strong-and-it-holds-people-accountable-but/#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
            }
        }
    ]
}
```