“Compassion is a verb.” Thich Nhat Hanh
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In Your Own Words…
In your own words, what is the main idea of the quote above by the Vietnamese monk, poet and author Thich Nhat Hanh?
“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” (Albert Einstein)
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Getting Personal
Have you ever recognized the suffering of another person, and then have been motivated to take some action to help relieve that person’s suffering? If yes, what action did you take in an attempt to relieve that person’s suffering?
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“The quote ‘Compassion is a verb’ by Thich Nhat Hanh conveys the idea that compassion is not just a passive feeling or sentiment; instead, it is something that requires action and active engagement. In other words, true compassion is not merely feeling sympathy or empathy for someone who is suffering, but it involves taking tangible steps to alleviate that suffering or help those in need.
Thich Nhat Hanh is emphasizing that compassion should be expressed through actions and deeds, not just words or thoughts. It’s not enough to merely feel sorry for someone; one must actively work to make a positive difference in their lives. This quote encourages people to be proactive in helping and caring for others, showing that compassion is a dynamic and transformative force when put into action.” (ChatGPT)
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INSIGHTS for SUCCESS
“True compassion means not only feeling another’s pain, but also being moved to help relieve it.” (Daniel Goleman)
“The nature of humanity, its essence, is to feel another’s pain as one’s own, and to act to take that pain away. There is nobility in compassion, a beauty in empathy, a grace in forgiveness.” (John Connolly)
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