Wisdom from the Major World Relgions

On the theme of: COMPASSION

Baha’i

It is your duty to be exceedingly kind to every human being, and to wish him well; to work for the upliftment of society…until ye change the world of man into the world of God.
`Abdu'l-Baha: Selections From the Writings of `Abdu'l-Baha, Page: 90

Buddhism

Comparing oneself to others in such terms as "Just as I am so are they, just as they are so am I," he should neither kill nor cause others to kill.
Sutta Nipata 705

Have compassion for all beings, rich and poor alike; each has their suffering. Some suffer too much, others too little.
Buddha

Conquer anger by love. Conquer evil by good. Conquer the stingy by giving. Conquer the liar by truth.
Dhammapada 223

Treat not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.
The Buddha, Udana-Varga 5.18

Christianity

Whatever you wish that men would do to you, do so to them.
Bible, Matthew 7.12

In everything, do to others as you would have them do to you; for this is the law and the prophets.
Jesus, Matthew 7:12

Confucianism

Try your best to treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself, and you will find that this is the shortest way to benevolence.
Mencius VII.A.4

Hinduism

What sort of religion can it be without compassion?
You need to show compassion to all living beings.
Compassion is the root of all religious faiths.
Basavanna, Vachana 247

One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself. This is the essence of morality. All other activities are due to selfish desire.
Mahabharata, Anusasana Parva 113.8

This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.
Mahabharata 5:1517

Islam

Those who act kindly in this world will have kindness.
Qur'an 39.10

Islam (Shiite).
Treat people in such a way and live amongst them in such a manner that if you die they will weep over you; alive they crave for your company.
Nahjul Balagha, Saying 9

Not one of you is a believer until he loves for his brother what he loves for himself.
Forty Hadith of an-Nawawi 13

Jainism

Have benevolence towards all living beings, joy at the sight of the virtuous, compassion and sympathy for the afflicted, and tolerance towards the indolent and ill-behaved.
Tattvarthasutra 7.11

A man should wander about treating all creatures as he himself would be treated.
Sutrakritanga 1.11.33

Judaism

The world stands upon three things: upon the Law, upon worship, and upon showing kindness.
.Mishnah, Abot 1.2

What is hateful to you, do not do to your neighbour. This is the whole Torah; all the rest is commentary. Go and learn it.
Hillel, Talmud, Shabbath 31a

Native African

Gentle character it is which enables the rope of life to stay unbroken in one's hand.
Yoruba Proverb (Nigeria)

Native American

This we know, all things are connected.
Like the blood which unites one family, all things are connected.
Our God is the same God, whose compassion is equal for all.
—From an oration of Chief Seattle,
Native American, U.S.A., 19th Century

Never criticize a man until you've walked a mile in his moccasins.
Native American Proverb

New Thought

Compassion and caring are the ties that bind us together in mutual understanding and in the unified attempt to uncover the Divinity in each other. Compassion is the most gentle of all human virtues, for it is the outpouring of the Divine Givingness through all.
Ernest Holmes

Sikhism

I am a stranger to no one; and no one is a stranger to me. (Indeed, I am a friend to all.
Guru Granth Sahib, p.1299

Taoism

Regard your neighbour's gain as your own gain and your neighbour's loss as your own loss.
Lao Tzu, T'ai Shang Kan Ying P'ien, 213-218

Zoroastrianism

Do not do unto others whatever is injurious to yourself.
 Shayast-na-Shayast 13.29