Life’s journey can be full of challenges, but the kindness of others – and extending that same kindness to yourself – can make it truly rewarding. Throughout history, notable figures from Princess Diana to J.R.R. Tolkien have lauded the power of kindness.

One particularly poignant quote from Princess Diana encapsulates the essence of kindness: “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.”

Kindness has the power to break down barriers, uplift spirits, and forge lasting bonds. It’s a profound way to show someone they matter. Michelle Obama highlights this in her memoir “Becoming,” noting that women’s friendships are “built of a thousand small kindnesses.”

Embracing kindness can transform your interactions and inspire others. Here are some powerful kindness quotes to motivate you:

Our Favorite Kindness Quotes

• Joseph Joubert: “A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.”
• Cheryl Strayed: “Compassion isn’t about solutions. It’s about giving all the love that you’ve got.”
• Princess Diana: “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.”
• Scott Adams: “Remember, there’s no such thing as a small act of kindness. Every act creates a ripple with no logical end.”
• Edith Wharton: “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.”
• William Arthur Ward: “A warm smile is the universal language of kindness.”
• Margaret George: “Kindness is stronger than iron bars.”
• Michelle Obama: “Friendships between women, as any woman will tell you, are built of a thousand small kindnesses...swapped back and forth and over again.”
• Kahlil Gibran: “The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention.”
• Robin Hobb: “Every small, unselfish action nudges the world into a better path. An accumulation of small acts can change the world.”
• Winston Churchill: “We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.”
• Roy T. Bennett: “Be the reason someone smiles. Be the reason someone feels loved and believes in the goodness in people.”
• Jack Kerouac: “Practice kindness all day to everybody and you will realize you’re already in heaven now.”
• Vincent Van Gogh: “There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people.”
• William Wordsworth: “The best portion of a good man’s life is his little, nameless, unremembered acts of kindness and of love.”
• Desmond Tutu: “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”
• Jacinda Ardern: “In the face of isolationism, protectionism, racism — the simple concept of looking outwardly and beyond ourselves, of kindness and collectivism, might just be as good a starting point as any.”
• Tommy Lee Jones: “Kindness and politeness are not overrated at all. They’re underused.”
• Whoopi Goldberg: “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.”
• Jaron Lanier: “Go to where you are kindest.”
• James M. Barrie: “Always be a little kinder than necessary.”
• Rick Riordan: “But remember, boy, that a kind act can sometimes be as powerful as a sword.”
• J.R.R. Tolkien: “I have found that it is the small everyday deed of ordinary folks that keep the darkness at bay. Small acts of kindness and love.”
• Terry Pratchett: “Evil begins when you begin to treat people as things.”
• Eric Hoffer: “Kindness can become its own motive. We are made kind by being kind.”
• Roald Dahl: “I think probably kindness is my number one attribute in a human being. I’ll put it before any of the things like courage or bravery or generosity or anything else.”
• Barbara De Angelis: “Love and kindness are never wasted. They always make a difference. They bless the one who receives them, and they bless you, the giver.”
• Wendy Mass: “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”
• Pablo Casais: “I feel the capacity to care is the thing which gives life its deepest significance.”
• George Sand: “Guard well within yourself that treasure, kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meanness.”
• Nelson Mandela: “No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
• Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
• Ralph Waldo Emerson: “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.”
• Jodi Picoult: “It seems to me that no matter what religion you subscribe to, acts of kindness are the stepping stones to making the world a better place — because we become better people in it.”
• Oprah Winfrey: “To extend yourself in kindness to anybody is an extension in kindness in the world.”
• Frank A. Clark: “Kindness makes a fellow feel good whether it’s being done to him or by him.”
• Eddie Jaku: “It is never too late to be kind, polite, and a loving human being.”
• Franklin D. Roosevelt: “Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.”
• Maggie Stiefvater: “People shouldn’t have to earn kindness. They should have to earn cruelty.”
• Clare Pooley: “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”
• Joseph B. Wirthlin: “The true greatness of a person, in my view, is evident in the way he or she treats those with whom courtesy and kindness are not required.”
• E. Lockhart: “Be a little kinder than you have to.”
• Randa Abdel-Fattah: “Sometimes it’s easy to lose faith in people. And sometimes one act of kindness is all it takes to give you hope again.”
• Suzy Kassem: “A memorable heart is the easiest way to immortality.”
• Lady Gaga: “I’ve been searching for ways to heal myself, and I’ve found that kindness is the best way.”
• Steve Maraboli: “A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.”
• Stephen Grellet: “I shall pass through this world but once. Any good, therefore, that I can do or any kindness I can show to any human being, let me do it now. Let me not defer it or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.”
• Christina Lauren: “I believe now that the universe delivers random acts of kindness, and it’s on us to decide what to do with them.”
• Mike McIntyre: “Sometimes those who give the most are the ones with the least to spare.”
• Maya Angelou: “Try to be a rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
• Anoir Ou-chad: “Although people can be cruel sometimes, kindness always wins. Enmity breaks hearts apart, but love assembles the pieces.”
• Alyssa Colman: “Kindness is its own type of magic, don’t you think?”

As you travel, embrace the spirit of kindness. Each act, no matter how small, can make a significant impact on someone’s day and leave a lasting impression. Happy travels!