--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Kindness to me is only powerful if it has…" description: "\"Kindness to me is only powerful if it has the cruel streak behind it. If someone is kind all the time under all circumstances, they're just simple-mind..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/026/suzanne-vega-12807_behinds_kindness-to-me-is-only-powerful-if-it-ha_750174.jpg" --- # Kindness to me is only powerful if it has the cruel streak… ![“Kindness to me is only powerful if it has the cruel streak behind it. If someone is kind all the time under all circumstances, they're just simple-minded. Kindness is only worth something if you have the cruel streak to back it up.” quote by Suzanne Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/026/suzanne-vega-12807_behinds_kindness-to-me-is-only-powerful-if-it-ha_750174.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/026/suzanne-vega-12807_behinds_kindness-to-me-is-only-powerful-if-it-ha_750174.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/026/suzanne-vega-12807_behinds_kindness-to-me-is-only-powerful-if-it-ha_750174.jpg) > “Kindness to me is only powerful if it has the cruel streak behind it. If someone is kind all the time under all circumstances, they're just simple-minded. Kindness is only worth something if you have the cruel streak to back it up.” [Suzanne Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-vega/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Kindness is valuable only when balanced with a capacity for harshness; pure kindness can be naive. **In simple terms:** Kindness needs a tough side to be effective. Key Takeaway Balance compassion with firmness. Themes kindness strength human nature Mood thoughtful balanced Type philosophical motivational When to use this quote - personal relationships - leadership - conflict resolution Key Concepts psychology ethics social dynamics Questions to Reflect On - When is firmness more important than kindness? - Can kindness exist without any harshness? A Different Perspective Too much harshness can erode trust; too much kindness can be exploited. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Kindness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindness/) [Streaks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/streaks/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-ruskin/a-little-thought-and-a-little-kindness-are-often-worth-more-than-a/) [John Ruskin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-ruskin/) > [A word spoken in loving kindness is worth far more than any gift.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-david-baird-1st-baronet/a-word-spoken-in-loving-kindness-is-worth-far-more-than-any-gift/) [Sir David Baird, 1st Baronet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-david-baird-1st-baronet/) > [The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oscar-wilde/the-smallest-act-of-kindness-is-worth-more-than-the-grandest-intention/) [Oscar Wilde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oscar-wilde/) > [When kindness comes at the expense of truth, it is not a kindness worth having. And when generosity leads to silence or abuse, it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-simmons/when-kindness-comes-at-the-expense-of-truth-it-is-not-a-kindness/) [Rachel Simmons](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-simmons/) > [“One act of kindness is more powerful than a thousand acts of spite.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matshona-dhliwayo/one-act-of-kindness-is-more-powerful-than-a-thousand-acts-of-spite/) [Matshona Dhliwayo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matshona-dhliwayo/) > [The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention. Thanks for helping me always.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-smallest-act-of-kindness-is-worth-more-than-the-grandest-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-smallest-act-of-kindness-is-worth-more-than-the-greatest-intention/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Kindness is more powerful than compulsion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-r-schwab/kindness-is-more-powerful-than-compulsion/) [Charles R. Schwab](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-r-schwab/) > [“If it’s not kindness then it’s not worth it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ron-baratono/if-it-s-not-kindness-then-it-s-not-worth-it/) [Ron Baratono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ron-baratono/) > [“Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-kerrey/unexpected-kindness-is-the-most-powerful-least-costly-and-most-2/) [Bob Kerrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-kerrey/) > [Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change. Kindness that catches us by surprise brings out the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-kerrey/unexpected-kindness-is-the-most-powerful-least-costly-and-most/) [Bob Kerrey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-kerrey/) > [“Kindness is a powerful bridge builder which unifies teams, bonds friends, supports loved ones, and spreads goodwill. Tending to your bridges will fortify your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-c-young/kindness-is-a-powerful-bridge-builder-which-unifies-teams-bonds/) [Susan C. Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-c-young/) > [The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention. Thanks for helping me always. Happy Bosss Day](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-smallest-act-of-kindness-is-worth-more-than-the-grandest/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“We, human beings don't always need an intelligent mind that speaks, but a patient heart that listens. Supportive relationships are very much needed. Know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jyoti-patel/we-human-beings-don-t-always-need-an-intelligent-mind-that-speaks-but/) [Jyoti Patel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jyoti-patel/) > [“An act of kindness can sometimes be as powerful as a sword”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-riordan/an-act-of-kindness-can-sometimes-be-as-powerful-as-a-sword/) [Rick Riordan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-riordan/) ## More by Suzanne Vega > [When I was pregnant, I felt filled with life, and I felt really happy. I ate well, and I slept well. I felt much…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-vega/when-i-was-pregnant-i-felt-filled-with-life-and-i-felt-really-happy-i/) [Suzanne Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-vega/) > [Some girls are taught to be sexy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-vega/some-girls-are-taught-to-be-sexy/) [Suzanne Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-vega/) > [I was the oldest child, and both my parents worked, so I had a great deal of responsibility from a very young age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-vega/i-was-the-oldest-child-and-both-my-parents-worked-so-i-had-a-great/) [Suzanne Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-vega/) > [Girls are crazy and mean. They don't fight fair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-vega/girls-are-crazy-and-mean-they-don-t-fight-fair/) [Suzanne Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-vega/) > [But I never want to get to the point where I write a safe song or one that represents my sense of a subject…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-vega/but-i-never-want-to-get-to-the-point-where-i-write-a-safe-song-or-one/) [Suzanne Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-vega/) > [Writing in other voices is almost Japanese in the sense that there's a certain formality there which allows me to sidestep the embarrassment of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-vega/writing-in-other-voices-is-almost-japanese-in-the-sense-that-there-s/) [Suzanne Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-vega/) > [I think that if you have a strong narrative, if the idea of the song can be boiled down to the basics, it won't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-vega/i-think-that-if-you-have-a-strong-narrative-if-the-idea-of-the-song/) [Suzanne Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-vega/) > [The first song I wrote was the first song I remember thinking, "Well, maybe I can do something here." The very first one. By…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-vega/the-first-song-i-wrote-was-the-first-song-i-remember-thinking-well/) [Suzanne Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-vega/) > [To me, a feminist belong in the same category as a humanist or an advocate for human rights. I don't see why someone who's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-vega/to-me-a-feminist-belong-in-the-same-category-as-a-humanist-or-an/) [Suzanne Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-vega/) > [Of course, sometimes when you write personally, you are also writing about society, obliquely reflecting topical issues, but not in a way that people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-vega/of-course-sometimes-when-you-write-personally-you-are-also-writing/) [Suzanne Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-vega/) > [I still consider myself a feminist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-vega/i-still-consider-myself-a-feminist/) [Suzanne Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-vega/) > [And I really wanted a driver's license. I was 43, had my learner's permit and had failed the test once already - but that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-vega/and-i-really-wanted-a-driver-s-license-i-was-43-had-my-learner-s/) [Suzanne Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-vega/) > [Last year's troubles, They shine up so prettily, They gleam with a lustre they don't have today.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-vega/last-year-s-troubles-they-shine-up-so-prettily-they-gleam-with-a/) [Suzanne Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-vega/) > [My mother wanted me to understand that as a woman I could do pretty much whatever I wanted to, that I didn't have to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-vega/my-mother-wanted-me-to-understand-that-as-a-woman-i-could-do-pretty/) [Suzanne Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-vega/) > [“The beams and bridges cut the light on the ground into little triangles and the rails run round”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzanne-vega/the-beams-and-bridges-cut-the-light-on-the-ground-into-little/) [Suzanne Vega](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-vega/) [Explore all 53 Suzanne Vega quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzanne-vega/) ## More Behinds quotes > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. 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Conservatism is about empowering people to catch up, to give them the tools at their disposable that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marco-rubio/conservatism-is-not-about-leaving-people-behind-conservatism-is-about/) [Marco Rubio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marco-rubio/) > [And the seasons they go 'round and 'round And the painted ponies go up and down We're captive on the carousel of time We…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/and-the-seasons-they-go-round-and-round-and-the-painted-ponies-go-up/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [It is worthwhile for anyone to have behind him a few generations of honest, hard-working ancestry.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-is-worthwhile-for-anyone-to-have-behind-him-a-few-generations-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm really thankful to God, man. Like now, I'm really making a real comeback with my group. With or without a record, with or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ike-turner/i-m-really-thankful-to-god-man-like-now-i-m-really-making-a-real/) [Ike Turner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ike-turner/) > [Empires fall, ids explode, great symphonies are written, and behind all of it is a single instinct that demands satisfaction.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sherwin-b-nuland/empires-fall-ids-explode-great-symphonies-are-written-and-behind-all/) [Sherwin B. Nuland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sherwin-b-nuland/) > [ Just between you and me, shouldn’t the World Bank be encouraging MORE migration of the dirty industries to the LDCs \[Less Developed Countries\]?... I… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-summers/just-between-you-and-me-shouldn-t-the-world-bank-be-encouraging-more/) [Lawrence Summers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-summers/) > [After a few mouthfuls of moon-flavored air, even the stubbornly drowsy can find themselves wide-eyed.. All the normal noises of life were gone, leaving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/n-d-wilson/after-a-few-mouthfuls-of-moon-flavored-air-even-the-stubbornly-drowsy/) [N.D. Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/n-d-wilson/) Browse all 6,789 Behinds quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Kindness to me is only powerful if it has the cruel streak behind it. If someone is kind all the time under all circumstances, they're just simple-minded. 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