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The Power of Kindness: The Unexpected Benefits of Leading a Compassionate Life

Book by Piero Ferrucci · 6 quotes · Kindness, Ifs, Be Kind

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The Power of Kindness: The Unexpected Benefits of Leading a Compassionate Life Quotes

“Kindness, as we will see, has many facets. But its essence is as simple as can be. We will find that kindness is a way of making _less_ effort. It is the most economic attitude there is, because it saves us much energy that we might otherwise waste in suspicion, worry, resentment, manipulation, or unnecessary defense. It is an attitude that, by eliminating the inessential, brings us back to the simplicity of being.”

WayMightEnergySimpleEffortAttitudeKindnessWorryEconomicWasteEssenceSimplicityDefenseManipulationBe KindResentmentSuspicionUnnecessaryFacetsEliminating
Book:The Power of Kindness: The Unexpected Benefits of Leading a Compassionate Life
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“Something similar happens on the other side of the equation: Giving kindness does us as much good as receiving it. . . . The true benefit of kindness is being kind. Perhaps more than any other factor, kindness gives meaning and value to our life, raises us above our troubles and our battles, and makes us feel good about ourselves.”

GivingFeelsKindDoeHappensValuesSidesKindnessOur LivesTroubleBattleBenefitsRaisesFeel GoodFactorsBe KindReceivingEquations
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“To act honestly- even at the risk of saying the unpleasant truth, or of saying no and causing distress to others- if done with intelligence and tact, is the kindest thing to do because it respects our own integrity and acknowledges in others the capacity to be competent and mature.”

IfsDoneRiskIntegrityCapacityHonestlyAcknowledgeThings To DoMatureDistressCompetentSaying NoTact
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“Some time ago, my son Emilio was going back to school after vacation. He did not like the idea at all and was filled with anxiety. To him, the approach of school days was like a monster that threatened him and wanted to squash him. What is a parent supposed to do? I tried to lift his spirits, to distract him, convince him it was not as bad as it seemed, but in vain. Then I hit upon the idea of offering him something that is almost taboo in our family: French fries at a fast-food place. Usually anything that is prohibited appeals to Emilio, especially junk food. I thought I had the ace up my sleeve. But no. Emilio's reply ought to be chiseled in stone: "Dad, you don't solve problems with french fries." Touche. You don't pretend problems do not exist, and you can't solve them with ephemeral distractions. You have to face them with open-eyed honesty. Offering French fries to my son in order to console and distract him from his anxiety was by no means a kind act. I was simply choosing the easier option--far too easy. I had found a comfortable way out.”

FearKindnessHonestyAnxietyValidationBig FeelingsEmotional Validation
Book:The Power of Kindness: The Unexpected Benefits of Leading a Compassionate Life
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