Leo Rosten Quotes

Only the weak are cruel. Gentleness can only be expected from the strong.

The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong.

Only the gentle are ever really strong.

We are taught that revenge is strong and compassion is weak. We are taught that power is more important than love.

All cruelty springs from weakness.

Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength.

When you are about to badger the weak, Then imagine yourself before a more powerful man.

Gentleness is the antidote for cruelty.

It is indeed hard for the strong to be just to the weak, but acting justly always has its rewards.

Desperation, weakness, vulnerability - these things will always be exploited. You need to protect the weak, ring-fence them, with something far stronger than empathy.

Every one in the world knows that the soft overcomes the hard, and the weak the strong, but no one is able to carry it out in practice.

Compassion towards the wicked – is cruelty to all beings.

It takes strength to be kind; it's not a weakness.

Be persecuted, rather than be a persecutor. Be crucified, rather than be a crucifier. Be treated unjustly, rather than treat anyone unjustly. Be oppressed, rather than be an oppressor. Be gentle rather than zealous. Lay hold of goodness, rather than justice.

When strong, be merciful, if you would have the respect, not the fear of your neighbors.

I learned compassion from being discriminated against. Everything bad that's ever happened to me has taught me compassion.

People confuse goodness with weakness. It is weak people, not good people (goodness demands strength), who are taken advantage of.

We shall show mercy, but we shall not ask for it.

The greatest firmness is the greatest mercy.

How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong. Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.

Biblical orthodoxy without compassion is surely the ugliest thing in the world.

The strong should always permit the weak and aggrieved to talk, to bluster, and scold without taking offence; and if we had so acted, and exercised proper skill in the management of our affairs, Mexico and ourselves would, by this time, have quietly and peaceably settled all difficulties and been good friends.

Be soft, even if you stand to get squashed.

I don't want to be all power and muscle.

The truth doesn't have to do with cruelty, the truth has to do with mercy.