--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Use what seems like poison as medicine…" description: "\"Use what seems like poison as medicine. Use your personal suffering as the path to compassion for all beings.\" — Pema Chodron" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef6/pema-ch-dr-n-327_compassion_use-what-seems-like-poison-as-medicine-u_683913.png" --- # Use what seems like poison as medicine. Use your personal… ![“Use what seems like poison as medicine. Use your personal suffering as the path to compassion for all beings.” quote by Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef6/pema-ch-dr-n-327_compassion_use-what-seems-like-poison-as-medicine-u_683913.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef6/pema-ch-dr-n-327_compassion_use-what-seems-like-poison-as-medicine-u_683913.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ef6/pema-ch-dr-n-327_compassion_use-what-seems-like-poison-as-medicine-u_683913.png) > “Use what seems like poison as medicine. Use your personal suffering as the path to compassion for all beings.” [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Transform personal pain into a source of healing by extending compassion to others, turning suffering into a tool for universal kindness. **In simple terms:** Turn suffering into compassion for all. Key Takeaway Use hardship to foster empathy. Themes compassion resilience spiritual growth mindfulness Mood reflective inspirational Type philosophical spiritual When to use this quote - personal crisis - caregiving - conflict resolution - mental health work Key Concepts suffering as medicine empathy development ethical living Questions to Reflect On - How can personal suffering inspire broader compassion? - What limits exist when using pain as a teaching tool? A Different Perspective Some may view this as minimizing personal pain or overlooking systemic issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Medicine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/medicine/) [Path](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/path/) [Poison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poison/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) ## Related quotes > [We are supposed to call poison medicine and we wonder why we're always sick.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-molyneux/we-are-supposed-to-call-poison-medicine-and-we-wonder-why-we-re/) [Stefan Molyneux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-molyneux/) > [Tonglen practice begins to dissolve the illusion that each of us is alone with this personal suffering that no one else can understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/tonglen-practice-begins-to-dissolve-the-illusion-that-each-of-us-is/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“But if, instead of thinking of these feelings as bad, we could think of them as road signs or barometers that tell us we’re…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/but-if-instead-of-thinking-of-these-feelings-as-bad-we-could-think-of/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“... the four noble truths: that there is suffering, that it has an origin, that there is a cessation of suffering, and that there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sid-brown/the-four-noble-truths-that-there-is-suffering-that-it-has-an-origin/) Sid Brown > [Poison and medicine are often the same thing, given in different proportions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-sebold/poison-and-medicine-are-often-the-same-thing-given-in-different/) [Alice Sebold](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-sebold/) > [Every day you use dozens of products that have strong chemicals in them, but remember, the only difference between poison and medicine is dosage.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aubrey-mcclendon/every-day-you-use-dozens-of-products-that-have-strong-chemicals-in/) [Aubrey McClendon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aubrey-mcclendon/) > [“We need to go beyond the "Crossroads" to healing as a nation, to not loose focus of the values that made us, and to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mitchell/we-need-to-go-beyond-the-crossroads-to-healing-as-a-nation-to-not/) [Phil Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mitchell/) > [“When you listen to someone complaining, you are forced to acknowledge them as a human being instead of a category. You are forced to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-kendzior/when-you-listen-to-someone-complaining-you-are-forced-to-acknowledge/) [Sarah Kendzior](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-kendzior/) > [“The path of compassion does not obligate you to love people regardless of how they act or who they are. It is a path…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanaya-roman/the-path-of-compassion-does-not-obligate-you-to-love-people/) [Sanaya Roman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanaya-roman/) > [If everyone sincerely practices the path of compassion and wisdom, all their problems will be solved. I guarantee this.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geshe-kelsang-gyatso/if-everyone-sincerely-practices-the-path-of-compassion-and-wisdom-all/) [Geshe Kelsang Gyatso](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geshe-kelsang-gyatso/) > [There are many goals but one path - the path of compassion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-ray/there-are-many-goals-but-one-path-the-path-of-compassion/) [Amit Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-ray/) > [The path of compassion leads to the development of insight. But it doesn't work to say, "Ready, set, go! Be compassionate!" Beginning any practice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sylvia-boorstein/the-path-of-compassion-leads-to-the-development-of-insight-but-it/) [Sylvia Boorstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sylvia-boorstein/) > [Extremism is the root of all conflict, those who wish to be at peace, follow the middle path of compassion and love for all.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kemmy-nola/extremism-is-the-root-of-all-conflict-those-who-wish-to-be-at-peace/) [Kemmy Nola](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kemmy-nola/) > [“In the path of compassion our patience, resilience and endurance are often challenged. Sometimes we may fail but we have to stand up again…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amit-ray/in-the-path-of-compassion-our-patience-resilience-and-endurance-are/) [Amit Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amit-ray/) > [I tend not to attempt to describe pain. I don't feel I can comprehend or re-create the personal suffering of others, so I simply…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-wein/i-tend-not-to-attempt-to-describe-pain-i-don-t-feel-i-can-comprehend/) [Elizabeth Wein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-wein/) ## More by Pema Chodron > [“LIFE’S work is to wake up, to let the things that enter into your life wake you up rather than put you to sleep.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/life-s-work-is-to-wake-up-to-let-the-things-that-enter-into-your-life/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Since death is certain and the time of death is uncertain, what is the most important thing?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/since-death-is-certain-and-the-time-of-death-is-uncertain-what-is-the/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Buddhist words such as compassion and emptiness don't mean much until we start cultivating our innate ability simply to be there with pain with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/buddhist-words-such-as-compassion-and-emptiness-don-t-mean-much-until/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [The essence of generosity is letting go. Pain is always a sign that we are holding on to something - usually ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-essence-of-generosity-is-letting-go-pain-is-always-a-sign-that-we/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“If the object of meditation were something concrete, something solid and graspable - an image or a statue or a dot on the floor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-the-object-of-meditation-were-something-concrete-something-solid/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [It's a transformative experience to simply pause instead of immediately fill up the space. By waiting, we begin to connect with fundamental restlessness as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/it-s-a-transformative-experience-to-simply-pause-instead-of/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“The essence of life is that it’s challenging. Sometimes it is sweet, and sometimes it is bitter. Sometimes your body tenses, and sometimes it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/the-essence-of-life-is-that-it-s-challenging-sometimes-it-is-sweet/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [If we run a hundred miles an hour to the other end of the continent in order to get away from the obstacle, we…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-we-run-a-hundred-miles-an-hour-to-the-other-end-of-the-continent/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“But in this meditation technique, we are with the out-breath; there's no particular instruction about what to do until the next out-breath.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/but-in-this-meditation-technique-we-are-with-the-out-breath-there-s/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“Nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know. Nothing ever really attacks us except our own confusion. Perhaps…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/nothing-ever-goes-away-until-it-has-taught-us-what-we-need-to-know/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [So even if the hot loneliness is there, and for 1.6 seconds we sit with that restlessness when yesterday we couldn't sit for even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/so-even-if-the-hot-loneliness-is-there-and-for-1-6-seconds-we-sit/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [If you have rage and righteously act it out and blame it all on others, it's really you who suffers. The other people and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-you-have-rage-and-righteously-act-it-out-and-blame-it-all-on/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [“When we realize that the path is the goal, there’s a sense of workability. Trungpa Rinpoche said, “Whatever occurs in the confused mind is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/when-we-realize-that-the-path-is-the-goal-there-s-a-sense-of/) [Pema Chödrön](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [Every day is a new opportunity to work with what you have inside toward enlightenment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/every-day-is-a-new-opportunity-to-work-with-what-you-have-inside/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) > [If someone comes along and shoots an arrow into your heart, it’s fruitless to stand there and yell at the person. It would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pema-ch-dr-n/if-someone-comes-along-and-shoots-an-arrow-into-your-heart-it-s/) [Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) [Explore all 664 Pema Chodron quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pema-ch-dr-n/) ## 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": "Use what seems like poison as medicine. 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