Kindness is such an essential seasoning for everything! The best qualities are worth nothing without kindness, and the worst vices are easily forgiven with it.
There is a natural type of kindness that depends on external and material causes—on heredity, good digestion and good fortune. This kindness is very pleasant, both for the one experiencing it and for other people. But there is also another kindness, which is the result of inner spiritual work. Such kindness is less attractive, but whereas the first type of kindness can fade away and even turn into spite, the second not only never fades, but is always growing.
If, in the process of doing something you consider good, you experience enmity or force others to feel enmity towards you, stop at once: it means that you do not yet know how to do that which you have undertaken. If, in the process of doing something, you feel physical pain, you stop and figure out what you should do in order for it not to hurt. Likewise with any activity that provokes enmity. It is a sure sign that you do not yet know how to do the thing you have undertaken: you must keep learning.
We must value even the semblance of kindness in other people, because this game of make-believe, which they use to gain respect—perhaps underserved—can ultimately lead to something much more serious.
But we must mercilessly erase the semblance of kindness in ourselves—tear off the veil with which our pride conceals our faults.
— Kant
A done good deed gives one joy but not satisfaction. It always seems that more should have been done.
However much good you do, you will always regret not doing more.
— Confucius
There is no direct inclination towards morally bad deeds, but there is certainly such a direct inclination towards good deeds.
— Kant
In order to find joy in serving other people, as well as living things in general, you must first of all teach yourself to not harm people and living things, to not build your life upon the suffering and lives of others.
Kindness is a fundamental quality of the soul. If a human being is not kind, then it is only because he has been subjected to some kind of deception, temptation or lust, which has disrupted this natural quality of his.
