--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I like to choose compassion over judgment…" description: "\"I like to choose compassion over judgment and curiosity over fear.\" — Tracee Ellis Ross" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c29/tracee-ellis-ross-8946_compassion_i-like-to-choose-compassion-over-judgmen_2070173.png" --- # I like to choose compassion over judgment and curiosity… ![“I like to choose compassion over judgment and curiosity over fear.” quote by Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c29/tracee-ellis-ross-8946_compassion_i-like-to-choose-compassion-over-judgmen_2070173.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c29/tracee-ellis-ross-8946_compassion_i-like-to-choose-compassion-over-judgmen_2070173.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c29/tracee-ellis-ross-8946_compassion_i-like-to-choose-compassion-over-judgmen_2070173.png) > “I like to choose compassion over judgment and curiosity over fear.” [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Choosing compassion over judgment and curiosity over fear leads to healthier relationships and personal growth. **In simple terms:** Prefer empathy and inquiry to criticism and fear. Key Takeaway Practice empathy and ask questions. Themes compassion curiosity judgment fear growth Mood hopeful thoughtful Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - conflict resolution - parenting - leadership - self‑reflection Key Concepts Emotional intelligence mindful awareness personal development Questions to Reflect On - How can you balance compassion with self‑protection? - When does curiosity become intrusive? A Different Perspective May be seen as naive in hostile environments. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choose Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choose-compassion-1106636/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Compassion Judgment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion-judgment-3993267/) [Curiosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curiosity/) [Curiosity Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curiosity-fear-2365556/) [Decision making](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/decision-making/) [Fear](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fear/) [Judgment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judgment/) [Judgment Curiosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/judgment-curiosity-1340870/) ## Related quotes > [Replace judgment with curiosity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lynn-nottage/replace-judgment-with-curiosity/) [Lynn Nottage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lynn-nottage/) > [The less judgment the more curiosity, and the more curiosity the more creativity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-ray/the-less-judgment-the-more-curiosity-and-the-more-curiosity-the-more/) [Michael Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-ray/) > [“Swapping judgment for curiosity is not only an act of self-respect but also an act of surrender. Allow”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vironika-tugaleva/swapping-judgment-for-curiosity-is-not-only-an-act-of-self-respect/) [Vironika Tugaleva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vironika-tugaleva/) > [“You have the power to choose compassion in each moment.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-leigh-mercree/you-have-the-power-to-choose-compassion-in-each-moment/) [Amy Leigh Mercree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-leigh-mercree/) > [The super power that I would choose would be compassion. Because that's what I think it takes to make it through life-an understanding, a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-t-nelson/the-super-power-that-i-would-choose-would-be-compassion-because-that/) [Craig T. Nelson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-t-nelson/) > [“You are the very creator and co-creator of your own reality. When you allow yourself to remember what you already know about yourself on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/raphael-zernoff/you-are-the-very-creator-and-co-creator-of-your-own-reality-when-you/) [Raphael Zernoff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/raphael-zernoff/) > [With self-acceptance, we have the ability to choose compassion and forgiveness over anger and self-hatred.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/with-self-acceptance-we-have-the-ability-to-choose-compassion-and/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“If you could have a gigantic billboard anywhere with anything on it, what would it say and why? I would need three billboards: “Don’t…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-ferriss/if-you-could-have-a-gigantic-billboard-anywhere-with-anything-on-it-3/) [Timothy Ferriss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-ferriss/) > [“Some knowledge comes not from curiosity, but from fear.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angelika-regossi/some-knowledge-comes-not-from-curiosity-but-from-fear/) [Angelika Regossi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angelika-regossi/) > [“Are you afraid, Princess? Of Dying?" "A little. I try to think of it as Curiosity more than Fear. I like Adventure too, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-leonard-pielmeier/are-you-afraid-princess-of-dying-a-little-i-try-to-think-of-it-as/) [John Leonard Pielmeier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-leonard-pielmeier/) > [“We are travelers, constantly moving forward, and looking back. We have no choice but to try for our insatiable curiosity, for our fear of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mass-effect/we-are-travelers-constantly-moving-forward-and-looking-back-we-have/) [Mass Effect](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mass-effect/) > [Suspense combines curiosity with fear and pulls them up a rising slope.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mason-cooley/suspense-combines-curiosity-with-fear-and-pulls-them-up-a-rising-slope/) [Mason Cooley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mason-cooley/) > [“When aggression seems to turn to curiosity, fear to security…then it is acceptance.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sameh-elsayed/when-aggression-seems-to-turn-to-curiosity-fear-to-security-then-it/) [Sameh Elsayed](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sameh-elsayed/) > [“Life is a surprise gift wrapped in a mystery... its up to you to open it either with enthusiasm and curiosity or with fear.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laxmi-hichkad/life-is-a-surprise-gift-wrapped-in-a-mystery-its-up-to-you-to-open-it/) [Laxmi Hichkad](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laxmi-hichkad/) > [It is important to remember that value investing is not a perfect science. It is an, with an ongoing need for judgment, refinement, patience,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-klarman/it-is-important-to-remember-that-value-investing-is-not-a-perfect/) [Seth Klarman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-klarman/) ## More by Tracee Ellis Ross > [There is a way to be a woman, ask for what we deserve and be able to negotiate.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/there-is-a-way-to-be-a-woman-ask-for-what-we-deserve-and-be-able-to/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) > [I buy what makes my heart sing. So, it's not that I follow one specific track. It's sort of what I like. I love…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/i-buy-what-makes-my-heart-sing-so-it-s-not-that-i-follow-one-specific/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) > [Nothing goes to windward like a 747.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/nothing-goes-to-windward-like-a-747/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) > [I don't really talk about my personal life. It's a strange and funny and weird thing. Sometimes you have a conversation with someone and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/i-don-t-really-talk-about-my-personal-life-it-s-a-strange-and-funny/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) > [ I was cast in a movie \[originally\] called Mr. Spreckman's Boat, starring Marcia Gay Harden and Jennifer Connelly. I felt like an "actress." Both… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/i-was-cast-in-a-movie-originally-called-mr-spreckman-s-boat-starring/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) > [Differences in experience, points of view and opinions aren't what pulls us apart. It's what pulls us together.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/differences-in-experience-points-of-view-and-opinions-aren-t-what/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) > [It would drive the photographers crazy because I would giggle and tell jokes. I was gregarious, and looking back, I realize I had a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/it-would-drive-the-photographers-crazy-because-i-would-giggle-and/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) > [ The two things that I thought were really interesting about this character \[Bow\] for me were that she actually loved her husband, and he… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/the-two-things-that-i-thought-were-really-interesting-about-this/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) > [I hope they look at me and think, 'That lady looks like she accepts herself.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/i-hope-they-look-at-me-and-think-that-lady-looks-like-she-accepts/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) > [Why am I beating my hair up? Because I want it to look like something that it isn't? These are questions that I've been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/why-am-i-beating-my-hair-up-because-i-want-it-to-look-like-something/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) > [Getting to a place where I am comfortable saying things was hard-earned for me. I've chewed on the ground glass of my own experience.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/getting-to-a-place-where-i-am-comfortable-saying-things-was-hard/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) > [I don't know that the stereotypical idea of what it is to be a child of somebody hugely famous necessarily comes into play in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/i-don-t-know-that-the-stereotypical-idea-of-what-it-is-to-be-a-child/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) > [It is important to me to take care of my skin. In general I don't like to wear foundation; I'm not a fan of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/it-is-important-to-me-to-take-care-of-my-skin-in-general-i-don-t-like/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) > [We all, as women, need to continue to change our gaze from how we are seen to how we are seeing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/we-all-as-women-need-to-continue-to-change-our-gaze-from-how-we-are/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) > [My bathroom is filled with hair and makeup stuff and I play with it all the time. What the real lesson is, is that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/my-bathroom-is-filled-with-hair-and-makeup-stuff-and-i-play-with-it/) [Tracee Ellis Ross](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) [Explore all 76 Tracee Ellis Ross quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/) ## 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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/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": "I like to choose compassion over judgment and curiosity over fear.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Tracee Ellis Ross" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/i-like-to-choose-compassion-over-judgment-and-curiosity-over-fear/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Compassion" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/i-like-to-choose-compassion-over-judgment-and-curiosity-over-fear/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c29/tracee-ellis-ross-8946_compassion_i-like-to-choose-compassion-over-judgmen_2070173.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c29/tracee-ellis-ross-8946_compassion_i-like-to-choose-compassion-over-judgmen_2070173.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c29/tracee-ellis-ross-8946_compassion_i-like-to-choose-compassion-over-judgmen_2070173.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“I like to choose compassion over judgment and curiosity over fear.” — Tracee Ellis Ross", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Tracee Ellis Ross", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracee-ellis-ross/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "I like to choose compassion over...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/i-like-to-choose-compassion-over-judgment-and-curiosity-over-fear/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracee-ellis-ross/i-like-to-choose-compassion-over-judgment-and-curiosity-over-fear/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```