--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: we come to realize that other people's…" description: "\"we come to realize that other people's welfare is just as important as our own. In helping them, we help ourselves. In helping ourselves, we help the w..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27f/pema-ch-dr-n-327_compassion_we-come-to-realize-that-other-people-s-w_277119.png" --- # we come to realize that other people's welfare is just as… ![“we come to realize that other people's welfare is just as important as our own. In helping them, we help ourselves. In helping ourselves, we help the world.” quote by Pema Chodron](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27f/pema-ch-dr-n-327_compassion_we-come-to-realize-that-other-people-s-w_277119.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27f/pema-ch-dr-n-327_compassion_we-come-to-realize-that-other-people-s-w_277119.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/27f/pema-ch-dr-n-327_compassion_we-come-to-realize-that-other-people-s-w_277119.png) > “we come to realize that other people's welfare is just as important as our own. In helping them, we help ourselves. In helping ourselves, we help the world.” [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. Recognizing others' well‑being as equal to our own creates mutual benefit; helping others ultimately benefits ourselves and the broader world. **In simple terms:** Helping others helps yourself and the world. Key Takeaway Practice compassion toward others. Themes compassion interdependence service Mood empathetic uplifting Type ethical inspirational When to use this quote - community volunteering - mental health support - environmental activism - peer mentorship Key Concepts Buddhist ethics reciprocity Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance self‑care with helping others? - What small act can you do today for someone else? A Different Perspective May overlook personal boundaries or burnout. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Welfare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/welfare/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Political service is important because it's about helping others help themselves. That was engrained in me from a young child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/heather-bresch/political-service-is-important-because-it-s-about-helping-others-help/) [Heather Bresch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/heather-bresch/) > [Welfare's just one of the problems Labour failed to tackle when they were in government.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/grant-shapps/welfare-s-just-one-of-the-problems-labour-failed-to-tackle-when-they/) [Grant Shapps](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/grant-shapps/) > [We may not realize it, but a crucial step in building a healthy economy is helping people move from welfare to work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/todd-young/we-may-not-realize-it-but-a-crucial-step-in-building-a-healthy/) [Todd Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/todd-young/) > [The conventional viewpoint says we need a jobs program and we need to cut welfare. Just the opposite! We need more welfare and fewer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jerry-brown/the-conventional-viewpoint-says-we-need-a-jobs-program-and-we-need-to/) [Jerry Brown](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jerry-brown/) > [Too many people feel that where you start out dictates where you should end up. I was on welfare and just shy of 19…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gwen-moore/too-many-people-feel-that-where-you-start-out-dictates-where-you/) [Gwen Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gwen-moore/) > [For a long time the Conservative party gave the impression of not being terribly interested in the people who were on welfare and that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-gauke/for-a-long-time-the-conservative-party-gave-the-impression-of-not/) [David Gauke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-gauke/) > [Education is very important to me, as is helping children.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-teixeira/education-is-very-important-to-me-as-is-helping-children/) [Mark Teixeira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-teixeira/) > [The charity work is just a part of what I do. Like... I make time to clean my house, to care for my pets,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lori-foster/the-charity-work-is-just-a-part-of-what-i-do-like-i-make-time-to/) [Lori Foster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lori-foster/) > [I know how important it is to have a helping hand. In my childhood I had difficult times because of hormonal problems. If I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lionel-messi/i-know-how-important-it-is-to-have-a-helping-hand-in-my-childhood-i/) [Lionel Messi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lionel-messi/) > [You can help others in many ways even if it is small or big the most important is you are helping because you are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-alapan/you-can-help-others-in-many-ways-even-if-it-is-small-or-big-the-most/) [Mitch Alapan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-alapan/) > [Defense is so important for helping your team win games and for the game in general.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rudy-gobert/defense-is-so-important-for-helping-your-team-win-games-and-for-the/) [Rudy Gobert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rudy-gobert/) > [I know how important it is to have a helping hand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arsene-wenger/i-know-how-important-it-is-to-have-a-helping-hand/) [Arsene Wenger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arsene-wenger/) > [Over the years, Coach Staley has become like my second mom. And she has helped me with so much on the basketball court that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-ja-wilson/over-the-years-coach-staley-has-become-like-my-second-mom-and-she-has/) [A'ja Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-ja-wilson/) > [“Oftentimes, by helping someone you help yourself.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tricia-marsh/oftentimes-by-helping-someone-you-help-yourself/) Tricia Marsh > [The greatest service you can render someone else is helping him help himself.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/baltasar-gracian/the-greatest-service-you-can-render-someone-else-is-helping-him-help/) [Baltasar Gracian](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/baltasar-gracian/) ## 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": "we come to realize that other people's welfare is just as important as our own. 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