“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the greatest intention.—Kahlil Gibran
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“What value do you think is the most important to our society, and why do you think this is important?”
This was the question posed to Dia Mate and her eloquent answer was one of the reasons why she won the 2025 Reina Hispanoamericana, the second Filipina to accomplish the feat. The event was held in Bolivia.
Mate winning answer went this way: “I think the most important value that we should have is kindness. And my experience here in Bolivia is that you have shown me so much kindness and so much love even though racially I am not a Latina.
“And the most beautiful thing I’ve noticed is that even though we do not speak the same language, we share the same culture, same heart, and same faith in God. And I hope this shows to everybody that if we use kindness and that we are all the same, then we can create a better world and a better society for us all.”
In the Bible, kindness is portrayed as an essential element of Christian character and a manifestation of God’s love. It is identified as one of the fruits of the Spirit, urging believers to extend kindness to others as a demonstration of their faith. The following verses underscore the importance of kindness:
Ephesians 4:32: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Colossians 3:12: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.”
Proverbs 11:17: “A man who is kind benefits himself, but a cruel man hurts himself.”
Luke 6:35: “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great.”
One of the finest examples of kindness was recorded in Genesis 19. This was when Abraham exemplified exceptional hospitality towards three visitors who arrived at his home. He greeted them with warmth, offered them sustenance, and ensured they have a comfortable place to rest.
Abraham’s gesture of generosity serves as a model for true hospitality, reflecting a selfless concern for the welfare of others. Such kindness is a standard to which we should all aspire in our interactions with others. By extending kindness, we convey our care for their well-being, which can motivate us to cultivate a more hospitable and compassionate attitude towards those around us.
The Book of Joshua (24:17-19) recorded the story of Rahab, often regarded as a harlot. She demonstrated remarkable compassion by assisting the Israelite spies. She concealed them and even deceived the authorities regarding their presence.
The story exemplifies the principle that God rewards acts of kindness. In spite of her previous life, Rahab received forgiveness and was honored with a position in the genealogy of Jesus Christ.
Merriam-Webster’s dictionary defines it as “the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.” But it’s more than that. Here’s a list of kindness synonyms: warmheartedness, helpfulness, thoughtfulness, compassion, goodness, sweetness, courtesy, and benevolence.
Research conducted at Yale University involved games with infants, leading to the conclusion that kindness is an intrinsic quality of human nature. Additional studies have explored the origins of empathy during infancy, highlighting the development of motor mirroring in the early months, which ideally fosters a sense of concern among children for their distressed peers.
Barbara Taylor and Adam Phillips emphasized the importance of necessary realism in adult expressions of kindness, noting that “genuine kindness transforms individuals in the act of giving, often in unforeseen manners.”
So, what do other people say about the subject matter?
“Kind words do not cost much,” said Blaise Pascal. “Yet they accomplish much.”
Hollywood actress Marlene Dietrich said, “Without tenderness, a man is uninteresting.”
“Never look down on anybody unless you’re helping them up,” said Jesse Jackson.
Aesop also said, “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” John Ruskin has the same idea in mind: “A little thought and a little kindness are often worth more than a great deal of money.”
“Kindness and politeness are not overrated at all,” Academy award-winning actor Tommy Lee Jones reminds. “They’re underused.”
To which Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu added: “Kindness in words creates confidence. Kindness in thinking creates profoundness. Kindness in giving creates love.”
Is kindness still vague for you? Here’s an explanation from kindnessiseverything.com: “The best way to understand kindness is to practice kindness. If we want to know the real meaning of kindness, then we must take the time to intentionally spread kindness.
“More specifically, we must do the following: Be kind to others and Be kind to ourselves.”
