Add Quote by Sylvia Boorstein
“What if someone hurts you with a weapon? Wait. Think it over. You probably feel angry. That's normal. But wasn't it the stick striking your body that hurt you? Can you be angry at the stick? Of course not. Should you be angry at the wielder of the stick? Wouldn't it make more sense to be angry at the hatred in the mind of the stick wielder? If you think about it, isn't the end of hatred in the world what you want most of all? Why, then, would you add to it by giving energy to your anger? After all, it will pass on its own if left alone, especially if you respond to it with compassion.”
About This Quote
Source Talk: Mindful Living Workshop, 2018
Anger directed at an object is misplaced; focus on the underlying hatred, and transform it with compassion.
In simple terms: Redirect anger from object to underlying cause.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate compassion to dissolve hatred.
Themes
mindfulness
anger
compassion
psychology
emotions
Mood
reflective
calm
Type
philosophical
self-help
When to use this quote
- conflict resolution
- personal relationships
- workplace stress
- social justice activism
Key Concepts
attachment
perception
inner peace
emotional regulation
Questions to Reflect On
- What underlying beliefs fuel your anger?
- How can compassion change your response to conflict?
A Different Perspective
Compassion may be difficult when pain is intense.
![“... every single act we do has the potential of causing pain, and every single thing we do has consequences that echo way beyond what we can imagine. It doesn't mean we shouldn't act. It means we should act carefully. Everything matters [p. 41].” quote by Sylvia Boorstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5ab/sylvia-boorstein-7241_causing-pain_every-single-act-we-do-has-the-potential_75621.jpg)
![“... freedom of choice is possible. Life is going to unfold however it does: pleasant or unpleasant, disappointing or thrilling, expected or unexpected, all of the above! What a relief it would be to know that whatever wave comes along, we can ride it out with grace [p. 35].” quote by Sylvia Boorstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/340/sylvia-boorstein-7241_choice_freedom-of-choice-is-possible-life-is-go_122468.jpg)
![“I love the phrase 'I am not afraid!' Maybe it's the best phrase we can say, other than 'I have everything I need.' Maybe they are the same. [p. 14]” quote by Sylvia Boorstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/f28/sylvia-boorstein-7241_fear_i-love-the-phrase-i-am-not-afraid-maybe_356864.jpg)
![“... life is difficult and painful, just by its very nature, not because we're doing it wrong [pp. 17-18].” quote by Sylvia Boorstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/c2a/sylvia-boorstein-7241_difficult_life-is-difficult-and-painful-just-by-it_369102.jpg)
