I just finished reading Wonder by RJ Palacio with my son, and we were both enormously touched by the story of Auggie. Towards the end of the book, the author highlights how kindness requires courage and is not, as commonly misunderstood, a weakness. Rather, kindness is a trait that requires enormous strength. I am sharing some quotes below that spoke to us:
“Kinder than is necessary. Because it’s not enough to be kind. One should be kinder than needed.”
“Courage. Kindness. Friendship. Character. These are the qualities that define us as human beings, and propel us, on occasion, to greatness.”
“If every person in this room made it a rule that wherever you are, whenever you can, you will try to act a little kinder than is necessary – the world really would be a better place. And if you do this, if you act just a little kinder than is necessary, someone else, somewhere, someday, may recognize in you, in every single one of you, the face of God.”
“We carry with us, as human beings, not just the capacity to be kind, but the very choice of kindness.”
