--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We should strive to keep our hearts open…" description: "\"We should strive to keep our hearts open to the sufferings and wretchedness of other people, and pray continually that God may grant us that spirit of ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c10/vincent-de-paul-1676_compassion_we-should-strive-to-keep-our-hearts-open_713457.png" --- # We should strive to keep our hearts open to the sufferings… ![“We should strive to keep our hearts open to the sufferings and wretchedness of other people, and pray continually that God may grant us that spirit of compassion which is truly the spirit of God.” quote by Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c10/vincent-de-paul-1676_compassion_we-should-strive-to-keep-our-hearts-open_713457.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c10/vincent-de-paul-1676_compassion_we-should-strive-to-keep-our-hearts-open_713457.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c10/vincent-de-paul-1676_compassion_we-should-strive-to-keep-our-hearts-open_713457.png) > “We should strive to keep our hearts open to the sufferings and wretchedness of other people, and pray continually that God may grant us that spirit of compassion which is truly the spirit of God.” [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Compassion requires open hearts and continual prayer for divine empathy. **In simple terms:** Open hearts foster true compassion. Key Takeaway Cultivate empathy through prayer and openness. Themes compassion spirituality empathy Mood hopeful serene Type spiritual ethical When to use this quote - volunteering - counseling - community service Key Concepts theology of love ethical altruism Questions to Reflect On - How can you stay open to others' suffering? - What practices deepen compassionate spirit? A Different Perspective Compassion may be limited by personal bias. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Compassion Truly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion-truly-4119139/) [Grants](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grants/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [May](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/may/) [Open Sufferings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/open-sufferings-5621666/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Pray Continually](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pray-continually-3783046/) [Praying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/praying/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Saint](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/saint/) [Should](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/should/) [Spirit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit/) [Spirit Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit-compassion-4345397/) [Spirit of god](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/spirit-of-god/) [Strive](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/strive/) [Suffering](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/suffering/) [Wretchedness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wretchedness/) ## Related quotes > [We will not just say, "I love him very much," but instead, "I will do something so that he will suffer less." The mind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/we-will-not-just-say-i-love-him-very-much-but-instead-i-will-do/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No one in USAID embodied the spirit of compassion and brotherhood that underpins our efforts more than Larry Foley.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-natsios/no-one-in-usaid-embodied-the-spirit-of-compassion-and-brotherhood/) [Andrew Natsios](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-natsios/) > [At the end of the day, I believe we can all work to foster a spirit of compassion, understanding, and awareness within our communities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenny-stills/at-the-end-of-the-day-i-believe-we-can-all-work-to-foster-a-spirit-of/) [Kenny Stills](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenny-stills/) > [“April 1 I AM CALLING YOU to a life of constant communion with Me. Basic training includes learning to live above your circumstances, even…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sarah-young/april-1-i-am-calling-you-to-a-life-of-constant-communion-with-me/) [Sarah Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sarah-young/) > [Perhaps you have noticed that even in the very lightest breeze you can hear the voice of the cottonwood tree; this we understand is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/black-elk/perhaps-you-have-noticed-that-even-in-the-very-lightest-breeze-you/) [Black Elk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/black-elk/) > [The most powerful thing that can happen in the place of prayer is that you yourself become the prayer. You leave the prayer room…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brennan-manning/the-most-powerful-thing-that-can-happen-in-the-place-of-prayer-is/) [Brennan Manning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brennan-manning/) > [“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. (1 THESSALONIANS 5:16 – 18)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guideposts-books/rejoice-always-pray-continually-give-thanks-in-all-circumstances-for/) [Guideposts Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guideposts-books/) > [Be joyful always. Pray continually. Give thanks in all circumstances for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/god/be-joyful-always-pray-continually-give-thanks-in-all-circumstances/) [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/god/) > [Be joyful. Always pray. Continually give thanks in all circumstances.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/be-joyful-always-pray-continually-give-thanks-in-all-circumstances-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It is a ruse of the devil, by which he deceives good people, to induce them to do more than they are able, so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/it-is-a-ruse-of-the-devil-by-which-he-deceives-good-people-to-induce/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [I have never come away from you without reflecting that the Spirit of God and His holy workings reside in you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/i-have-never-come-away-from-you-without-reflecting-that-the-spirit-of/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [The purpose of the whole (work) is to remove those who are living in this life from a state of wretchedness and lead them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dante-alighieri/the-purpose-of-the-whole-work-is-to-remove-those-who-are-living-in/) [Dante Alighieri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dante-alighieri/) > [All acts suppose certain dispositions, and habits of mind and heart, which may be in themselves states of enjoyment or of wretchedness, and which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-stuart-mill/all-acts-suppose-certain-dispositions-and-habits-of-mind-and-heart/) [John Stuart Mill](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-stuart-mill/) > [“The wretchedness of a child interests a mother, the wretchedness of a young man interests a young girl, the wretchedness of an old man…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/the-wretchedness-of-a-child-interests-a-mother-the-wretchedness-of-a/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [My writing table has seen all my wretchedness, knows all my plans, has overheard all my thoughts.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/honor-de-balzac/my-writing-table-has-seen-all-my-wretchedness-knows-all-my-plans-has/) [Honore de Balzac](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/honor-de-balzac/) ## More by Vincent de Paul > [I know well, Monsieur, how much you have to endure in your present duty, and I ask Our Lord to strengthen you in your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/i-know-well-monsieur-how-much-you-have-to-endure-in-your-present-duty/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [...it is difficult to master one's feelings and be exact in everything in the midst of many affairs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/it-is-difficult-to-master-one-s-feelings-and-be-exact-in-everything/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [ . . . . \[P\]ersons who love very much, easily take offense at trifles. No doubt your excessive affection for me makes you a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/p-ersons-who-love-very-much-easily-take-offense-at-trifles-no-doubt/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [ \[I\]f the gentleness of your spirit needs a dash of vinegar, borrow a little from Our Lord's spirit. O Mademoiselle, how well He knew… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/i-f-the-gentleness-of-your-spirit-needs-a-dash-of-vinegar-borrow-a/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [If, in order to succeed in an enterprise, I were obliged to choose between fifty deer commanded by a lion, and fifty lions commanded…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/if-in-order-to-succeed-in-an-enterprise-i-were-obliged-to-choose/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [If we divested ourselves, once and for all, of all self-will, we would then be in a position of being sure of doing the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/if-we-divested-ourselves-once-and-for-all-of-all-self-will-we-would/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [Never betray His principles for any reason whatsoever, and take great care not to spoil God's affairs by too much haste in them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/never-betray-his-principles-for-any-reason-whatsoever-and-take-great/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [In God's name, Monsieur, let us remain indifferent; let us strive to be equally attached to whatever obedience marks out for us, be it…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/in-god-s-name-monsieur-let-us-remain-indifferent-let-us-strive-to-be/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [To this end, we should help and support one another and strive for peace and union among ourselves. This is the wine that cheers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/to-this-end-we-should-help-and-support-one-another-and-strive-for/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [It is not easy to find perfect men in whom there is nothing to criticize.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/it-is-not-easy-to-find-perfect-men-in-whom-there-is-nothing-to/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [In the name of Our Lord, Monsieur, do all you can to regain your health and take good care of it so that you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/in-the-name-of-our-lord-monsieur-do-all-you-can-to-regain-your-health/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [The most powerful weapon to conquer the devil is humility. For, as he does not know at all how to employ it, neither does…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/the-most-powerful-weapon-to-conquer-the-devil-is-humility-for-as-he/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [Let each of us accept the truth of the following statement and try to make it our most fundamental principle: Christ's teaching will never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/let-each-of-us-accept-the-truth-of-the-following-statement-and-try-to/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [ \[I\]t is the maxim of the saints that when a matter has been decided in the presence of God after many prayers and the… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/i-t-is-the-maxim-of-the-saints-that-when-a-matter-has-been-decided-in/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) > [ . . . \[T\]hese \[ideas\] are only suggestions of the evil spirit who, to jeopardize your salvation, suggests to you extraordinary works that are… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/t-hese-ideas-are-only-suggestions-of-the-evil-spirit-who-to/) [Vincent de Paul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) [Explore all 217 Vincent de Paul quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/) ## 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": "We should strive to keep our hearts open to the sufferings and wretchedness of other people, and pray continually that God may grant us that spirit of compassion which is truly the spirit of God.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Vincent de Paul" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/we-should-strive-to-keep-our-hearts-open-to-the-sufferings-and/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Compassion" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/we-should-strive-to-keep-our-hearts-open-to-the-sufferings-and/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c10/vincent-de-paul-1676_compassion_we-should-strive-to-keep-our-hearts-open_713457.png", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c10/vincent-de-paul-1676_compassion_we-should-strive-to-keep-our-hearts-open_713457.png", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c10/vincent-de-paul-1676_compassion_we-should-strive-to-keep-our-hearts-open_713457.png", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“We should strive to keep our hearts open to the sufferings and wretchedness of other people, and pray…” — Vincent de Paul", "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": "Vincent de Paul", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vincent-de-paul/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "We should strive to keep our...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/we-should-strive-to-keep-our-hearts-open-to-the-sufferings-and/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vincent-de-paul/we-should-strive-to-keep-our-hearts-open-to-the-sufferings-and/#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 } } ] } ```