Bryan Stevenson Quotes

My illness has taught me something about the nature of humanity, love, brotherhood and relationships that I never understood, and probably never would have. So, from that standpoint, there is some truth and good in everything.

Perhaps everything terrible is in its deepest being something helpless that wants help from us.

If you learn how to forgive others for not being strong, then people can learn how to forgive you for your own issues.

We think that forgiveness is weakness, but it's absolutely not; it takes a very strong person to forgive.

I do not believe that sheer suffering teaches. If suffering alone taught, all the world would be wise, since everyone suffers. To suffering must be added mourning, understanding, patience, love, openness and the willingness to remain vulnerable.

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

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

All cruelty springs from weakness.

Someone who has experienced trauma also has gifts to offer all of us - in their depth, their knowledge of our universal vulnerability, and their experience of the power of compassion.

Everyone is different. We all suffer from the disease of being human. There are a thousand cures but no antidotes.

Even when we make mistakes, we hope others will love us in spite of our shortcomings - even if we don't deserve it.

If you torture a man as I was tortured he will learn more about love than you could ever ­imagine, and that has left me ­vulnerable.

Without your wounds where would your power be? It is your melancholy that makes your low voice tremble into the hearts of men and women. The very angels themselves cannot persuade the wretched and blundering children on earth as can one human being broken on the wheels of living. In Love’s service, only wounded soldiers can serve. Physician, draw back.

Its unfortunate and I really wish I wouldn't have to say this, but I really like human beings who have suffered. They're kinder.

It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile.

I speak to people who have been through so much more.

To understand is to forgive, even oneself.

The human race survived the Inquisition. We can survive. It's like the Anne Frank quote: 'In spite of everything, I still believe that people are basically good at heart.' Given what happened to her, it's one of the miracles of the world that she said that.

Please remember, no matter what you go through in life, somebody else might have it harder.

I'm tough, but I have a heart.

Compassion is contempt with a human face.

You can't expect everyone to love you. I'm not someone who just wants to throw out hate, just because.

We must develop and maintain the capacity to forgive. He who is devoid of the power to forgive is devoid of the power to love. There is some good in the worst of us and some evil in the best of us. When we discover this, we are less prone to hate our enemies.

Even the roughest character, underneath all that hurt, is someone who wants to love and be loved.

Hush! Check those words. Do not cure ill with ill and make your pain still heavier than it is.