Word for the Wise, August 25

[Uadzit]

Topic: Some words about human kindness

Today is the start of the 20th annual Be Kind To Humankind Week. Monday marks Motorist Consideration Day; tomorrow is Touch a Heart Tuesday, and so on.

We're marking the occasion by sharing some words about human kindness that might inspire folks to pour out the kindness as generously as possible.

The Roman Seneca believed "Wherever there is a human being there is a chance for a kindness." 17 centuries later, the English lexicographer Samuel Johnson, who knew his way around humankind as well as around words, advised, "Kindness is in our power even when fondness is not." German dramatist and poet Johann Goethe shaped kindness into a social virtue, writing "Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together."

Moving forward a few centuries into our own era, the Dalai Lama phrased kindness as a win-win situation: "When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace."

That inner happiness and peace spoken of by the Dali Lama was predicted more than 2500 years earlier by Chinese philosopher Lao-Tzu. He observed, "Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profundity. Kindness in giving creates love."

Questions or comments? Write us at wftw@aol.com Production and research support for Word for the Wise comes from Merriam-Webster, publisher of language reference books and Web sites including Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition.  

[chessiejo]

http://scripturetext.com/ephesians/4-32.htm

i believe this exhortation in Ephesians was written by the slave Onessimus, freed by a kind intercession of the apostle Paul.

to me that is the best kind of kindness, one htat passes on some kind thing another person has done or shown to you.

the Liberty Mutual insurance ads about "responsibility" are very touching, and could just as well be about "kindness"; it can be like a chain reaction, which we pass on.  

[Uadzit]

That's an excellent idea to live by. (: