Empathy

Do all the other things, the ambitious things — travel, get rich, get famous, innovate, lead, fall in love — but as you do, to the extent that you can, err in the direction of kindness.

A peaceful world means a compassionate world. If you respect others' life, you love others — how can a person who has that kind of motivation use force to eliminate them? Impossible.

The more distracted we become, and the more emphasis we put on speed at the expense of depth, the less able we are to care.

It's easier to friend someone than to be someone's friend. It's easier to like things than to love them. It's easier to say nothing — but people who become used to saying nothing become used to being nobody.

There is no better use of a life than to be attentive to such needs. There are as many ways to do this as there are kinds of loneliness, but all of them require presence, all of them require the hard work of human computing.

The real hero's journey is the journey from strength to weakness.

For in learning how to be a nobody, you will learn how not to be a jerk. You will tip well. You will empathize. You will be a mentor, and a generous one.

Be vigilant in the struggle toward empathy. Consider the Happy Birthday Sir Despite the Circumstances possibility — the possibility that the lives and experiences of others are as complex and unpredictable as your own.

Don't ever forget that a small group of thoughtful people can change the world. It's the only thing that ever has.

It just doesn't pay to be a jerk. Kindness, respect, and all that good stuff — it just goes a long way.

The world is yours. Treat everyone kindly and light up the night.

The best way to make people feel that you're listening to them is to listen to them.