William J. H. Boetcker Quotes

If you are fortunate in life, age and knowledge breed compassion.

If You are mighty, gain respect through knowledge and gentleness of speech. Do not command except as is fitting.

Kindness is more important than wisdom, and the recognition of this is the beginning of wisdom.

The world does not have time to be with the poor, to learn with the poor, to listen to the poor. To listen to the poor is an exercise of great discipline, but such listening surely is what is required if charity is not to become a hatred of the poor for being poor.

As soon as you think you know someone else's truth better than they do, you are in deep water.

Next to power without honor, the most dangerous thing in the world is power without humor.

Power is dangerous unless you have humility.

True wisdom listens more, talks less and can get along with all types of people.

It is always safe to learn, even from our enemies; seldom safe to venture to instruct, even our friends.

What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?

The fact that you are willing to say, 'I do not understand, and it is fine,' is the greatest understanding you could exhibit.

Better to be a loving person without knowing how you got there, than an expert no one can stand to be around.

When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.

He who is strong, concedes.

Politeness decrees that you must listen to be kind; intelligence decrees that you must listen to learn.

Connecting with people who are able to maintain a sense of humility is really useful.

People of power have to show empathy and kindness to the young.

If you aren't humble, whatever empathy you claim is false and probably results from some arrogance or the desire to control. But true empathy is rooted in humility and the understanding that there are many people with as much to contribute in life as you.

There's stuff in this world, everybody pretends they understand. But we don't understand. It's important to listen.

Be very, very patient and very open-minded, and listen to what people have to say.

As Christians we need to be patient, understanding, and kind. Instead of going on the attack, we can ask genuine questions. Instead of bristling when our narrative is summarily dismissed, we can carefully explain our way of seeing things. And when we are wrong, we won't be afraid to say so.

Deliberately seek opportunities for kindness, sympathy, and patience.

Personally, I think humility is a prerequisite to being a truly empathic person.

A good listener is not only popular everywhere, but after a while, he knows something.

And for the few that only lend their ear, That few is all the world.