When a person is in a miserable situation, then, yes, it is difficult to develop genuine compassion toward others. That's why I find it difficult to say to poor people, "Please have compassion toward millionaires." That's not easy.

It is expressions of affection rather than money and power that attract real friends.

Live a good, honourable life. Then when you get older and look back, you'll be able to enjoy it a second time.

Generosity is the most natural outward expression of an inner attitude of compassion and loving-kindness .

If you utilize obstacles properly, then they strengthen your courage, and they also give you more intelligence, more wisdom.

I think when religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism - as well as Christianity and Judaism - were founded, at that time societies were generally male-dominated. So, therefore this social notion also influenced religion.

(Because) the notion of absolute truth is difficult to sustain outside the context of religion, ethical conduct is not something we engage in because it is somehow right in itself but because, like ourselves, all others desire to be happy and to avoid suffering. Given that this is a natural disposition, shared by all, it follows that each individual has a right to pursue this goal. Accordingly, I suggest that one of the things which determines whether an act is ethical or not is its effect on others' experience or expectation of happiness.