---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I could not think of being unkind, even…"
description: "\"I could not think of being unkind, even to a mortal enemy. It would hurt me. I see so much unkindness in the world, and there is no excuse for me to ad..."
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c52/paramahansa-yogananda-556_add_i-could-not-think-of-being-unkind-even-t_2485355.jpg"
---

#  I could not think of being unkind, even to a mortal enemy…

![“I could not think of being unkind, even to a mortal enemy. It would hurt me. I see so much unkindness in the world, and there is no excuse for me to add to it. When you love God, and when you see God in every soul, you cannot be mean. If someone behaves hurtfully toward you, think of the best ways…” quote by Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c52/paramahansa-yogananda-556_add_i-could-not-think-of-being-unkind-even-t_2485355.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c52/paramahansa-yogananda-556_add_i-could-not-think-of-being-unkind-even-t_2485355.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c52/paramahansa-yogananda-556_add_i-could-not-think-of-being-unkind-even-t_2485355.jpg)

> “I could not think of being unkind, even to a mortal enemy. It would hurt me. I see so much unkindness in the world, and there is no excuse for me to add to it. When you love God, and when you see God in every soul, you cannot be mean. If someone behaves hurtfully toward you, think of the best ways to behave lovingly toward him...”

[Paramahansa Yogananda](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paramahansa-yogananda/)

## About This Quote

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

Treating others kindly, even enemies, preserves our own humanity and aligns with seeing divine in all.

**In simple terms:** Kindness to all protects our soul.

Key Takeaway

Practice compassion toward those who hurt you.

Themes

compassion spirituality ethics

Mood

calm reflective

Type

ethical spiritual

When to use this quote

- conflict resolution
- personal relationships
- community building
- self‑growth

Key Concepts

nonviolence divine unity inner peace

Questions to Reflect On

- How does seeing divinity in others change your reaction?
- What practices help you respond with love?

A Different Perspective

It can be difficult when harm is repeated; forgiveness may be required.

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> [I could not think of being unkind, even to a mortal enemy. It would hurt me. I see so much unkindness in the world,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paramahansa-yogananda/i-could-not-think-of-being-unkind-even-to-a-mortal-enemy-it-would/)

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> [In nature there's no blemish but the mind. None can be called deformed but the unkind.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/in-nature-there-s-no-blemish-but-the-mind-none-can-be-called-deformed/)

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> [Unkind language is sure to produce the fruits of unkindness--that is, suffering in the bosom of others.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeremy-bentham/unkind-language-is-sure-to-produce-the-fruits-of-unkindness-that-is/)

[Jeremy Bentham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeremy-bentham/)

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