75 kindness quotes that will brighten your day

It’s no secret that quotes pack quite a punch. But what is it about distilled wisdom, emotional resonance, and a sprinkle of celebrity that has the ability to change your perspective in a—snap—flash?

Kindness quotes, in particular, tap into this power in a profound way. These bite-sized gems can remind you of the strength found in gentleness, the ripple effect of a kind word, and the simple joy of making a difference in someone’s day.

So if you’re looking to sprinkle some sunshine into your days or to others, here’s a curated collection of 75 kindness quotes to inspire you to spread the love and make the world a more beautiful and magical place every day.

15 best kindness quotes

Kindness, according to research, has a way of making everything brighter. It can help you feel happy, it’s good for your heart, it can help you age more gracefully, it improves relationships, and it creates a ripple effect of positivity.

Sometimes, all you need are the right words to remind you of this. So here’s a list of kindness quotes that might uplift your spirits and encourage acts of compassion.

1. “Kindness is the ultimate flex.” — Vishen
2. “You will do this world a great favor if you allow yourself to prioritize your own happiness.” — Kristina Mӓnd-Lakhiani
3. “The heart is kind. Underneath the stress is the wish to be happy. That wish is kindness.” — Gelong Thubten
4. “Make every moment of your life an outpouring of love. Use every moment to think the highest thought, say the highest word, do the highest deed.” — Neale Donald Walsch
5. “No philosophy is needed to instruct you to be good with others. It is a natural outcome when you are feeling good within yourself.” — Sadhguru
6. “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” — Aesop
7. “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” — Mark Twain
8. “A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” — Amelia Earhart
9. “Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.” — Lao Tzu
10. “Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of reward, safe in the knowledge that one day, someone might do the same for you.” — Princess Diana
11. “Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” — Leo Buscaglia
12. “What wisdom can you find that is greater than kindness?” — Jean-Jacques Rousseau
13. “A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.” — John Ruskin
14. “Kindness is always fashionable, and always welcome.” — Amelia Barr
15. “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.” — Ralph Waldo Emerson

15 kindness quotes for kids

Starting them young in self-compassion and that for others can have lifelong benefits as they get older.

In fact, studies show that acts of kindness in classrooms spread outward. This means kindness is contagious and can impact beyond the classroom into the larger community.

These quotes will plant the seeds of compassion in young hearts, inspiring them to make the world a kinder place, one thoughtful act at a time.

1. “You can be kind when you are sad, grieved, upset, and angry. You can always be kind. Always.” — Kristina Mӓnd-Lakhiani
2. “Kindness begins with how we treat our own thoughts.” — Gelong Thubten
3. “True strength lies in your ability to show kindness, compassion, and empathy EVEN in the face of adversity.” — Lisa Nichols
4. “If you love yourself, the outside world will reflect that by treating you with kindness & respect.” — Marisa Peer
5. “You are goodness and mercy and compassion and understanding. You are peace and joy and light.” — Neale Donald Walsch
6. “Be gentle with yourself. You are doing the best you can with the tools you have.” — Dr. Shefali Tsabary
7. “You is kind. You is smart. You is important.” — Aibileen Clark, The Help
8. “To kindness and love, the things we need most!” — The Grinch
9. “A little kindness goes a long way.” – Aesop
10. “Be kind to everyone, for everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” – Plato
11. “Kindness is as easy—and as hard—as this: genuinely wanting something good for someone else, thinking about what would benefit them, and putting effort into giving them that benefit.” — Jay Shetty
12. “Kindness is a gift that everyone can afford to give.” – Maya Angelou
13. “The best way to cheer yourself up is to try to make someone else happy.” – Mark Twain
14. “A friend is someone who gives you total freedom to be yourself—and especially to feel. Or not feel. Whatever you need to feel.” – Fred Rogers
15. “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.” – Maya Angelou

15 kindness quotes by famous people

There’s one thing famous people have that many of us lack: a platform. While many use it for personal gains, some souls use it to spread goodness.

Here are quotes of kindness from well-known figures to inspire you to act with kindness every day.

1. “You’re never too small to make a difference.”— Greta Thunberg
2. “It’s not how much we GIVE but how much love we put into giving.” — Mother Teresa
3. “If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours.” — Dolly Parton
4. “Kindness and politeness are not overrated at all. They’re underused.” — Tommy Lee Jones
5. “We’re here for a reason. I believe a bit of the reason is to throw little torches out to lead people through the dark.” — Whoopi Goldberg
6. “Kindness is always in stock.” — Katy Perry
7. “Where there is kindness there is goodness, and where there is goodness there is magic.” — Disney’s Cinderella
8. “To extend yourself in kindness to anybody is an extension in kindness in the world.” — Oprah Winfrey
9. “Compassion isn’t about solutions. It’s about giving all the love that you’ve got.” — Cheryl Strayed
10. “Sometimes it takes only one act of kindness and caring to change a person’s life.” — Jackie Chan
11. “How do we change the world? One random act of kindness at a time.” — Morgan Freeman
12. “Kindness can only be repaid with kindness. It can’t be repaid with expressions like ‘thank you’ and then forgotten.” — Malala Yousafzai
13. “In the end, only kindness matters.” ― Jewel
14. “Be nice to people on the way up, because you may meet them on the way down.” – Jimmy Durante
15. “No matter what happens in life, be good to people. Being good to people is a wonderful legacy to leave behind.” – Taylor Swift

15 random acts of kindness quotes

The beauty of kindness lies in its simplicity. It doesn’t require grand gestures, just the spirit of loving-kindness with the intention of helping each other

These quotes are put together to inspire you to sprinkle these acts of compassion into your everyday life.

1. “Too often we underestimate the power of touch, a smile, a kind word, all of which have the potential to turn a life around.” — Mahatria Ra
2. “Compassion is not something you do for other people; it’s something you do for yourself. It changes the way you function and show up in the world.” — Vishen
3. “If you want the best the world has to offer, offer your best.” — Neale Donald Walsch
4. “We can develop compassion as a state of mind, not just as a reaction.” — Gelong Thubten
5. “The quality of your life is the quality of your relationships.” — Marisa Peer
6. “Carry out a random act of kindness with no expectation of reward.” — Princess Diana
7. “Be kind to yourself, to others, and everything around you.” —Alexandra Stoddard
8. “Kindness is not an act, it’s a reflection of your soul.”
9. “One of the most difficult things to give away is kindness; it usually comes back to you.” — Anonymous
10. “We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.” — Ronald Reagan
11. “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” — Mark Twain
12. “Act with kindness, but do not expect gratitude.” — Confucius
13. “A single act of kindness throws out roots in all directions, and the roots spring up and make new trees.” — Amelia Earhart
14. “The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” — Oscar Wilde
15. “Unexpected kindness is the most powerful, least costly, and most underrated agent of human change.” — Bob Kerrey

15 funny kindness quotes

Let’s face it, spreading kindness doesn’t have to be a solemn affair. Laughter is contagious, and sometimes a lighthearted approach can be the most disarming way to show you care.

Here are some funny quotes that capture the lighter side of kindness.

1. “Kindness is free. Sprinkle that stuff everywhere.”
2. “Treat people with kindness, unless they annoy you. Then, just smile and walk away.”
3. “Less is more, unless it’s kindness, sleep, or toilet paper.”
4. “Kind people are the best kind of people.”
5. “Kindness is just love, but with better boundaries.”
6. “Kindness is the secret ingredient that makes sarcasm bearable.” 
7. “If you can’t be kind, at least be vague.” — Judith Martin
8. “Always be a little kinder than necessary.” — James M. Barrie
9. “Kindness is like snow. It beautifies everything it covers.” — Kahlil Gibran
10. “Be kind to unkind people—they need it the most.” — Ashleigh Brilliant
11. “Kindness and a generous spirit go a long way. And a sense of humor. It’s like medicine—very healing.” — Max Irons
12. “Remember, there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.” — Scott Adams
13. “A kind word is like a spring day.” — Russian Proverb
14. “To err on the side of kindness is seldom an error.” — Liz Armbruster
15. “I always prefer to believe the best of everybody—it saves so much trouble.” — Rudyard Kipling

Embrace everyday magic

Now that you’re armed with these powerful quotes and a heart ready to spread compassion, why not take it a step further?

Mindvalley offers a vibrant community dedicated to personal growth and positive change. Take it from Miss Sweden 2014, Camilla Hansson, who’s also a Mindvalley Member:

“Mindvalley is the best personal growth company out there, and I’ve grown so much from the people I have met through their community and their Quest programs.”

Sign up for a free account today and connect with like-minded individuals who are passionate about making the world a kinder place.

What’s more, you can explore free classes, meditations, and inspiring talks—all designed to help you unlock your full potential and radiate kindness in everything you do.

It’s time to step into your greatness…with gratitude, with compassion, and, most importantly, with kindness.

Welcome in.