--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Compassion and justice are companions…" description: "\"Compassion and justice are companions, not choices.\" — William Sloane Coffin" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f7/william-sloane-coffin-4839_choice_compassion-and-justice-are-companions-no_2026467.png" --- # Compassion and justice are companions, not choices. ![“Compassion and justice are companions, not choices.” quote by William Sloane Coffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f7/william-sloane-coffin-4839_choice_compassion-and-justice-are-companions-no_2026467.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f7/william-sloane-coffin-4839_choice_compassion-and-justice-are-companions-no_2026467.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/3f7/william-sloane-coffin-4839_choice_compassion-and-justice-are-companions-no_2026467.png) > “Compassion and justice are companions, not choices.” [William Sloane Coffin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-sloane-coffin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Compassion and justice are linked; one cannot truly exist without the other. **In simple terms:** Kindness and fairness go together. Key Takeaway Promote both empathy and fairness. Themes social justice ethics humanity Mood thoughtful inspirational Type ethical philosophical When to use this quote - policy making - community service - conflict resolution Key Concepts morality political theory activism Questions to Reflect On - Can you act justly without compassion? - What happens when compassion overrides law? A Different Perspective Focusing on one without the other can create imbalance. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Choice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choice/) [Choices](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/choices/) [Companion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/companion/) [Companions](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/companions/) [Compassion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/compassion/) [Justice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/justice/) ## Related quotes > [Someday, beyond the clouds and all the world's wrongs, there will be love, compassion and justice, and we shall all understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/flavia-weedn/someday-beyond-the-clouds-and-all-the-world-s-wrongs-there-will-be/) [Flavia Weedn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/flavia-weedn/) > [“Some of our friends are our friends only because we used to be friends.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mokokoma-mokhonoana/some-of-our-friends-are-our-friends-only-because-we-used-to-be-friends/) [Mokokoma Mokhonoana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mokokoma-mokhonoana/) > [I see compassion may become a justice, though it be a weakness, I confess, and nearer a vice than a virtue.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ben-jonson/i-see-compassion-may-become-a-justice-though-it-be-a-weakness-i/) [Ben Jonson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ben-jonson/) > [All religions try to benefit people, with the same basic message of the need for love and compassion, for justice and honesty, for contentment.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dalai-lama/all-religions-try-to-benefit-people-with-the-same-basic-message-of-2/) [Dalai Lama](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dalai-lama/) > [Since its inception, our Nation has stood on the foundations of compassion and justice.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-dewine/since-its-inception-our-nation-has-stood-on-the-foundations-of/) [Mike DeWine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-dewine/) > [The simple fact is that we must not-and we will not-surrender our borders to those who wish to exploit our history of compassion and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-j-clinton/the-simple-fact-is-that-we-must-not-and-we-will-not-surrender-our/) [William J. 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Theres no point asking why life has reserved certain joys or griefs, you just accept them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paulo-coelho/you-dont-choose-your-life-it-chooses-you-theres-no-point-asking-why/) [Paulo Coelho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paulo-coelho/) > [There has always been a feeling with people that they love my singing but not always the choice of material.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alison-moyet/there-has-always-been-a-feeling-with-people-that-they-love-my-singing/) [Alison Moyet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alison-moyet/) > [I have too many options when it comes to guitars.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rick-nielsen/i-have-too-many-options-when-it-comes-to-guitars/) [Rick Nielsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rick-nielsen/) > [“Amazing how a small choice can change your life forever.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randy-c-dockens/amazing-how-a-small-choice-can-change-your-life-forever/) Randy C. 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