Compassionate Quote by Karen Armstrong
“Religious people often prefer to be right rather than compassionate. Often, they don't want to give up their egotism. They want their religion to endorse their ego, their identity.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Battle for God, Karen Armstrong, 2000
People may prioritize being correct over showing empathy, using religion to reinforce their self‑image.
In simple terms: Rightness over compassion, ego‑driven faith.
Key Takeaway
Check your motives before defending beliefs.
Themes
religion
ego
compassion
identity
dogma
Mood
reflective
critical
thoughtful
Type
philosophical
ethical
When to use this quote
- debates
- interfaith dialogue
- personal reflection
- community leadership
Key Concepts
psychology
social identity
moral reasoning
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you value being right more than being kind?
- How can compassion be integrated into religious practice?
A Different Perspective
Faith can be misused to justify selfishness.
![“[Chinese] are a huge empire now, you'll soon be - in a few years two billion people in the world. So, you should be more compassionate, more understanding. And above all, you don't need all their trouble.” quote by Elie Wiesel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/751/elie-wiesel-341_billions_chinese-are-a-huge-empire-now-you-ll-soo_28398.jpg)
