All violence is the result of people tricking themselves into believing that their pain derives from other people and that consequently those people deserve to be punished.

It's harder to empathize with those who appear to possess more power, status, or resources.

A difficult message to hear is an opportunity to enrich someone's life.

Our ability to offer empathy can allow us to stay vulnerable, defuse potential violence, help us hear the word 'no' without taking it as a rejection, revive lifeless conversation, and even hear the feelings and needs expressed through silence.

Empathize, rather than put your "but" in the face of an angry person.

In NVC, no matter what words others may use to express themselves, we simply listen for their observations, feelings, needs, and requests.

NVC enhances inner communication by helping us translate negative internal messages into feelings and needs. Our ability to distinguish our own feelings and needs and to empathize with them can free us from depression.