AtomicQuote

Daniel Goleman Quote

Self-absorption in all its forms kills empathy, let alone compassion. When we focus on ourselves, our world contracts as our problems and preoccupations loom large. But when we focus on others, our world expands. Our own problems drift to the periphery of the mind and so seem smaller, and we increase our capacity for connection - or compassionate action.

Daniel Goleman

Self-absorption in all its forms kills empathy, let alone compassion. When we focus on ourselves, our world contracts as our problems and preoccupations loom large. But when we focus on others, our world expands. Our own problems drift to the periphery of the mind and so seem smaller, and we increase our capacity for connection - or compassionate action.

Tags: empathy, selfishness, social intelligence

Related Quotes

How is it possible that suffering that is neither my own nor of my concern should immediately affect me as though it were my own, and with such force that is moves me to action?

Arthur Schopenhauer

How is it possible that suffering that is neither my own nor of my concern should immediately affect me as though it were my own, and with such force that is moves me to action?

Tags: action, affect, caring, compassion, concern, empathy, ethics, force, morality, suffering

Empathy is the ability to step outside of your own bubble and into the bubbles of other people. Empathy is the ability that allows us to be useful creatures on this planet; without empathy, we are a w...

C. JoyBell C.

Empathy is the ability to step outside of your own bubble and into the bubbles of other people. Empathy is the ability that allows us to be useful creatures on this planet; without empathy, we are a w...

Tags: being human, empathy, inspirational, the human experience, the nature of empathy, what is empathy, wisdom

Highly sensitive people are too often perceived as weaklings or damaged goods. To feel intensely is not a symptom of weakness, it is the trademark of the truly alive and compassionate. It is not the e...

Anthon St. Maarten

Highly sensitive people are too often perceived as weaklings or damaged goods. To feel intensely is not a symptom of weakness, it is the trademark of the truly alive and compassionate. It is not the e...

Tags: authenticity, caring, caring for others, caring too much, compassion, damaged goods, damaged people, damaged souls, dysfunctional society, dysfunctional world

Forgiveness is a transformative act because it asks you to be a more empathetic and compassionate person, thereby making you better than the person you were when you were first hurt.

Kamand Kojouri

Forgiveness is a transformative act because it asks you to be a more empathetic and compassionate person, thereby making you better than the person you were when you were first hurt.

Tags: act, asks, begin again, begin anew, betray, betrayal, better, betterment, calm, cheat

To begin to know ourselves we must have sincere conversations with ourselves as if with a good friend. We must answer without reserve, listen without judgement, and accept without condition. That is s...

Kamand Kojouri

To begin to know ourselves we must have sincere conversations with ourselves as if with a good friend. We must answer without reserve, listen without judgement, and accept without condition. That is s...

Tags: accept, acceptance, answer, ask, begin, better, betterment, compassion, compassionate, condition

God whispered, "You endured a lot. For that I am truly sorry, but grateful. I needed you to struggle to help so many. Through that process you would grow into who you have now become. Didn't you know...

Shannon L. Alder

God whispered, "You endured a lot. For that I am truly sorry, but grateful. I needed you to struggle to help so many. Through that process you would grow into who you have now become. Didn't you know...

Tags: abuse, accepting, answers, autoimmune disease, bullied, compassion, crying, cyberbullying, defamation, empathy

May we always be burdened with thinking of the suffering of others, for that is what it means to be human.

Kamand Kojouri

May we always be burdened with thinking of the suffering of others, for that is what it means to be human.

Tags: aid, always, assist, burden, compassion, compassionate, despair, disease, empathetic, empathy

Reading an author's Biography contributes to an understanding and enjoyment of their work, and gives a richness to the reading experience.

Suzy Davies

Reading an author's Biography contributes to an understanding and enjoyment of their work, and gives a richness to the reading experience.

Tags: analysis, biography, empathy, point of view, readers world views, understanding, writers

What people don't understand about depression is how much it hurts. It's like your brain is convinced that it's dying and produces an acid that eats away at you from the inside, until all that's less...

Tyler Hamilton

What people don't understand about depression is how much it hurts. It's like your brain is convinced that it's dying and produces an acid that eats away at you from the inside, until all that's less...

Tags: acid, depressed, depression, empathy, emptiness, emptiness in heart, hopeless, hurt, mental disorder, mental health

Nothing changes until people decide to do the things they must, in order to bring about peace.

Shannon L. Alder

Nothing changes until people decide to do the things they must, in order to bring about peace.

Tags: apologizing, closure, communication, empathy, ending it, forgiving, letting go, listening, offering hope, peace
About Daniel Goleman

Daniel Goleman (born March 7, 1946) is an American psychologist, author, and science journalist. For twelve years, he wrote for The New York Times, reporting on the brain and behavioral sciences. His 1995 book Emotional Intelligence was on The New York Times Best Seller list for a year and a half, a bestseller in many countries, and is in print worldwide in 40 languages. Apart from his books on emotional intelligence, Goleman has written books on topics including self-deception, creativity, transparency, meditation, social and emotional learning, ecoliteracy and the ecological crisis, and the Dalai Lama's vision for the future.