Thich Nhat Hanh Quotes

In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him.

Hatred is increased by being reciprocated, and can on the other hand be destroyed by love.

Love your enemy. It will not only puzzle him, But finally illumine him.

To understand is not only to pardon, but in the end to love.

Everyone deserves compassion.

Compassion will cure more sins than condemnation.

War is not the answer, because only love can conquer hate.

If we could read the secret history of our enemies we should find in each man's life sorrow and suffering enough to disarm all hostility.

I think compassion is an important quality in people in general.

Pity and friendship are two passions incompatible with each other.

In the practice of tolerance, one's enemy is the best teacher.

I have begun to sympathetically understand Paul, though I don't like him much.

We all, I think, believe in compassion. If you look at all the world religions, all the main world religions, you'll find within them some teaching concerning compassion.

You can't tell stories and really walk in someone's shoes and not have a love for them, even if they're doing horrible things.

Living without hate for people is almost impossible.

Love has its place, as does hate. Peace has its place, as does war. Mercy has its place, as do cruelty and revenge.

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.

Anger begets more anger, and forgiveness and love lead to more forgiveness and love.

People need to have compassion for others.

I don't think it's an incredibly radical premise to try and have sympathy for someone who has made a mistake.

There can be a fundamental gulf of gracelessness in a human heart which neither our love nor our courage can bridge.

Nothing enables us to forgive like knowing in our hearts that we have been forgiven.

I know for certain of only one commandment, one obligation, that God imposes upon us, and that is to be compassionate toward other human beings.

We have to bring the humanity and compassion back.

Love soothes wounds, while hatred and violence deepen them.