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About this quote

What does it mean?
Life is short and difficult, so kindness is the only important rule.
In plain terms
Be kind because life is hard and short.
What can you take from it?
Practice kindness as a core value.

Where it applies

  • teaching moments
  • personal reflection
  • conflict resolution

Putting it to work

  • prioritize empathy
  • soften interactions
  • lead with care

Questions to consider

  • How do you define kindness?
  • When is kindness difficult?

Another view

It assumes all situations require kindness without context.

More from Kurt Vonnegut

  1. Like all real heroes, Charley had a fatal flaw. He refused to believe that he had gonorrhea, whereas the truth was that he did.

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  2. Pretend to be good always, and even God will be fooled.

    Permalink to quote #58
  3. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers - joined in the serious business of keeping our food, shelter, clothing and loved ones from combining with oxygen.

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