How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving, and tolerant of the weak and the strong. Because someday in life you will have been all of these.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Success in life depends on treating others with kindness across all stages of life. We should empathize with others because everyone experiences different roles and vulnerabilities.
- In plain terms
- Be kind to everyone because you will be in their shoes someday.
- What can you take from it?
- Treat all people with compassion regardless of their current strength.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do I treat those who struggle?
- Do I recognize my own vulnerabilities?
Another view
This ignores systemic barriers that may prevent kindness from being effective.
More from George Washington
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