Denise Mina Quotes

People are not fundamentally bad. It only takes the smallest of correctives to take care of that tiny minority that wants to disrupt the community.

On many issues, empathy can pull us in the wrong direction. The outrage that comes from adopting the perspective of a victim can drive an appetite for retribution.

I simply do not think that yelling, swearing, threatening or belittling will get you to the place you want to be faster than kindness, understanding, patience and a little willingness to compromise.

I wish we might have less condemnation of error and more commendation of right.

We have to stop thinking of criminals as 'them' and admit to ourselves, 'There but for the grace of God go I.'

The way I stand up to bullies is with kindness and love. Because I think that's what they really need. They're misunderstood and probably really upset themselves.

All men are made one for another: either then teach them better or bear with them.

Then gently scan your brother man, Still gentler sister woman; Though they may gang a kennin' wrang, To step aside is human.

I fear that we are living in a society, living in a world where forgiving people is becoming more and more difficult to do.

Hate does not produce love, and by hate one cannot remake the world.

Do you think you can cure the hatreds and the maladjustments of the world by hanging them? You simply show your ignorance and your hate when you say it. You may here and there cure hatred with love and understanding, but you can only add fuel to the flames by cruelty and hate.

We do not celebrate the death of our enemies.

I always think that if you look at anyone in detail, you will have empathy for them because you recognize them as a human being, no matter what they've done.

If, when you charged a person with his faults, you credited him with his virtues too, you would probably like everybody.

I think it's unnecessary to be mean for the sake of being mean, but I do believe you have to be truthful, but with love.

I've learned never to expect people to be better than they are, but to always have faith that they can be more.

As parents, we're human beings, too, but sometimes we're not as understanding as we'd like to be.

Human morality is unthinkable without empathy.

It's interesting that one of the definitions of the word 'human' is 'sympathetic.' More and more people are beginning to show that they understand why that is important.

I think one of the best words in the English language is 'compassion.' I think it holds everything. It holds love, it holds care... and if everybody just did something. We all make a difference.

Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstanding, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate.

It doesn't do any good to argue. Be kind.

If you have an ongoing relationship with a person, think of everything positive about that person that you possibly can and enter your interaction from that space. Ignore all the crap that used to drive you up the wall before. You will be amazed at what a change this attitude shift brings about.

There is so much good in the worst of us, and so much bad in the best of us, that it ill behooves any of us to find fault with the rest of us.

I think, for one, we have to really accept that anger is a normal human emotion that can be a positive force for change.