Empaths are some of the most sensitive people in the world. They possess an amazing ability to sense and feel positive energy or negative energy around them. This makes them natural healers and connectors. They often find themselves in the role of peacemakers and are always looking for ways to make the world a better place.
However, this amazing ability also comes with a cost. Empaths often feel the emotions of others very intensely. They can feel overwhelmed by the feelings of others and can struggle to deal with their own experience and emotions. This can be especially difficult when empaths encounter sad things in the world.
Related: Empath Definition: What is an Empath and 28 Signs That You Are One
If you are an empath or just a sensitive person these positive empath quotes will resonate with you. Inspirational quotes are a great way to uplift and encourage yourself. The key to being an empowered empath is to deal with others’ feelings on your own terms.
100 Positive Empath Quotes
1. I think we all have empathy. We may not have enough courage to display it. Maya Angelou
2. All advocacy is, at its core, an exercise in empathy. Samantha Power
If you aren’t humble, whatever empathy you claim is false and probably results from some arrogance or the desire to control. But true empathy is rooted in humility and the understanding that there are many people with as much to contribute in life as you. Anand Mahindra
3. We are all born with a certain package. We are who we are. Where we were born, who we were born as, how we were raised. We are kind of stuck inside that person, and the purpose of civilization and growth is to be able to reach out and empathize a little bit with other people, find out what makes them tick, what they care about. Roger Ebert
4. Empathy is really the opposite of spiritual meanness. It’s the capacity to understand that every war is both won and lost. And that someone else’s pain is as meaningful as your own. Barbara Kingsolver
5. The highest form of knowledge, according to George Eliot, is empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another’s world. It requires profound, purpose‐larger‐than‐the‐self kind of understanding.” – Bill Bullard
6. Empathy is a respectful understanding of what others are experiencing. Instead of offering empathy, we often have a strong urge to give advice or reassurance and to explain our own position or feeling. Empathy, however, calls upon us to empty our mind and listen to others with our whole being. – Marshall Rosenberg
Related: Empath Shutdown and Fatigue: A Guide To Healing
7. Empathy is what I do to you when you judge me. Envy is having pity on yourself. Can you discern the rest for yourself? – Mahatma Gandhi
8. Our kindness and compassion is too often mistaken for weakness or naivety, while we are in fact highly calibrated human lie detectors…and fearless warriors for truth and justice. – Anthon St. Maarten
9. Empathy is patiently and sincerely seeing the world through the other person’s eyes. It is not learned in school; it is cultivated over a lifetime. – Albert Einstein
10. The sad thing that many of us empaths don’t realize is that often our desire to heal others is a disguised cry for help for our own healing. Because many of us weren’t taught how to value or nurture ourselves at a young age, we tend to unconsciously seek out our own healing in the healing of others. – Mateo Sol
11. Empaths have often been labeled as ‘overly sensitive’ and told to ‘get a thicker skin.’ As children and adults, we are shamed for our sensitivities rather than supported. But at this point in my life, I wouldn’t give up being an empath for anything. It lets me sense the secrets of the universe and know passion beyond my wildest dreams. – Judith Orloff
12. Empathy is about finding echoes of another person in yourself. – Mohsin Hamid
13. I do not ask the wounded person how he feels, I myself become the wounded person. ― Walt Whitman
14. The struggle of my life created empathy – I could relate to pain, being abandoned, having people not love me. – Oprah Winfrey
15. There is no shame in expressing your authentic feelings. Those who are at times described as being a ‘hot mess’ or having ‘too many issues’ are the very fabric of what keeps the dream alive for a more caring, humane world. Never be ashamed to let your tears shine a light in this world. – Anthon St. Maarten
16. Create boundaries. Honor your limits. Say no. Take a break. Let go. Stay grounded. Nurture your body. Love your vulnerability. And if all else fails, breathe deeply. – Aletheia Luna
17. When you show deep empathy toward others, their defensive energy goes down, and positive energy replaces it. That’s when you can get more creative in solving problems. – Stephen Covey
18. Why is sensitivity perceived as being dangerous? When we’re sensitive, we feel things we were taught not to feel. When we’re sensitive, we are completely open to attack. When we’re sensitive, we are awake and in touch with our hearts – and this can be very threatening to the status quo indeed. ― Aletheia Luna
19. The great gift of human beings is that we have the power of empathy. – Meryl Streep
20. Sometimes all a person wants is an empathetic ear; all he or she needs is to talk it out. Just offering a listening ear and an understanding heart for his or her suffering can be a big comfort. ― Roy T. Bennett
21.The Empath is often said to have such a great degree of empathy that they can literally feel what others feel, and thus intuitively know many of the yearnings, sensitivities, tastes and even thought patterns of the people they’re around. ― Aletheia Luna
22. Empathy is an important and valuable skill to have in many aspects in life. Not only does it contribute to strong bonds and general trust, but it allows us to gain insight of the emotions and thoughts of other people. In a sense, it offers you a chance to experience life the way someone else does. Tuan Lu
23. Learning to give empathy to myself and others as often as I can each day has rendered astounding benefits….Empathy leads to compassion and compassion to forgiveness and connection. – Judith Hanson Lasate
24. The nature of humanity, its essence, is to feel another’s pain as one’s own, and to act to take that pain away. There is a nobility in compassion, a beauty in empathy, a grace in forgiveness. – John Connolly
25. I believe empathy is the most essential quality of civilization. – Roger Ebert
26. Could a greater miracle take place than for us to look through each other’s eyes for an instant?” — Henry David Thoreau
27. If your emotional intelligence isn’t in hand, if you don’t have self-awareness, if you are not able to manage your distressing emotions, if you can’t have empathy and have effective relationships, then no matter how smart you are, you are not going to get very far. – Daniel Goleman
28. Remember that the greatest thing about being empathetic is that when someone accomplishes something awesome, you will feel just as awesome as if you accomplished it yourself. – Michael Unks.
29. There’s nothing that inspires that deep sense of belonging like shared empathy. – Brene Brown
30. As empaths, our high level of sensitivity means that we are prone to feeling like eternal outsiders who are in the world but not quite of the world. ― Aletheia Luna
31. When you feel connected to everything, you also feel responsible for everything. And you cannot turn away. Your destiny is bound with the destinies of others. ― Andrew Boyd
32. Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. – Leo Buscaglia
33. Learning to stand in somebody else’s shoes, to see through their eyes, that’s how peace begins. And it’s up to you to make that happen. Empathy is a quality of character that can change the world. – Barack Obama
34. Sensitive people care when the world doesn’t because we understand waiting to be rescued and no one shows up. We have rescued ourselves, so many times that we have become self-taught in the art of compassion for those forgotten. – Shannon L. Alder
35. Empaths have to be careful not to internalize others’ feelings, as this can cause them to feel anxious, sad, or even depressed. It can leave the empath feeling drained or exhausted. They must learn to set boundaries so as not to let toxic people drain them dry. – Donna G. Bourgeois
36. Empathy is about standing in someone else’s shoes, feeling with his or her heart, seeing with his or her eyes. Not only is empathy hard to outsource and automate, but it makes the world a better place.” – Daniel H. Pink
37. You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty. – Mahatma Gandhi
38. Some people are far more cognizant than others but sensitivity has its own cross to bear and ample insight, in many cases, can bring on disquietude. ― Donna Lynn Hope
39. The very best thing we can do for others isn’t soaking up their pain, it is actually holding space for them. Holding space for a person means giving them the room to grieve or vent while still maintaining our own boundaries. – Mateo Sol
38. The little things you do can be very significant to others. – Unknown
39. Dear empath, You are a being of immense depth, wisdom, and compassion. You are a pioneer and trailblazer of humanity, a model for others on how to be sensitive and powerful. All the strength and love you need is already within you, waiting to be discovered. ― Mateo Sol
40. Emotional empathy is what motivates us to help others. – Brian Goldman
41. I AM AN EMPATH – Watching certain types of movies can become unbearable. The energy of TV and Radio can be maddening. I know your feelings better than you do. I know when you lie. I crave solitude. I need order or I can’t think straight. Complete strangers tell me their life story. – I AM A HEALER ― Sandra Cooze
42. Empathy means understanding others on their own terms and bringing them into the orbit of one’s own experience.” – Jacob A. Belzen
43. Highly sensitive people are too often perceived as weaklings or damaged goods. To feel intensely is not a symptom of weakness, it is the trademark of the truly alive and compassionate. – Anthon St. Maarten
44. Sensitivity isn’t being wimpy. It’s about being so painfully aware that a flea landing on a dog is like a sonic boom. I enjoy a lot of mystery. – Jeff Buckley
45. Suffering and joy teach us, if we allow them, how to make the leap of empathy, which transports us into the soul and heart of another person. – William Fritz
46. When you start to develop your powers of empathy and imagination, the whole world opens up to you. – Susan Sarandon
47. As an empath, it’s vital that you learn how to hold space for your emotions, even the most painful ones. By anchoring yourself in your breath, you can learn how to witness the emotional energy of others within you, without attaching yourself to these sensations. – Mateo Sol
48. The only way to change someone’s mind is to connect with them from the heart. – Rasheed Ogunlaru
49. Compassion is such a wonderful gift – Unknown
50. I’m a passionate person; a lot is going on underneath my carousel of blazers: a cauldron of sensitivity and emotion. – Sue Perkins
51. A spiritual awakening is often marked by an increased sensitivity to the feelings and emotions of others. – Steve Pavlina
52. People who are highly sensitive are more likely to be empaths, which means that they can feel other people’s emotions as if they were their own. – Shannon L. Alder
53. The empath is one who suffers with others; one who feels the pain of the world as if it were their own. – Anthon St. Maarten
54. It is not our differences that divide us, but our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences. – Audre Lorde
55. You don’t have to be psychic to be an empath – you just have to be open-minded and sensitive to the feelings of others. – Jill Willard
56. If you want to find peace, don’t look outside of yourself. Look inside and find the courage to feel your own pain. – Unknown
57. As an empath, it can be difficult to manage your own emotions, let alone the emotions of others. – Shannon L. Alder
58. It is not our differences that divide us, but our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences. – Audre Lorde
59. The more highly sensitive people are in touch with their emotions, the more they can empathize with the emotions of others. – Elaine Aron
60. One of the greatest gifts you can give someone is your undivided attention. – Unknown
61. When you’re an empath, it’s important to remember that you are not responsible for the emotions of others. – Shannon L. Alder
62. The empath is one who can be both healer and victim. – Anthon St. Maarten
63. To be an effective healer, you first need to learn how to heal yourself. – Mateo Sol
64. As an empath, it’s important to have healthy boundaries in place so that you don’t become overwhelmed by the emotional energy of others. – Shannon L. Alder
65. Highly sensitive people are often able to sense the moods and emotions of those around them before they even express them. – Elaine Aron
66. If you want to be a good empath, you need to learn how to be emotionally present for others without getting lost in their energy. – Mateo Sol
67. It is not our differences that divide us, but our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences. – Audre Lorde
68. We cannot change anything until we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses. – James Baldwin
69. As an empath, you have the ability to sense the emotions of others and to feel their pain as if it were your own. – Shannon L. Alder
70. The more highly sensitive people are in touch with their emotions, the more they can empathize with the emotions of others. – Elaine Aron
71. When you’re in touch with your own emotions, it becomes easier to be in touch with the emotions of others. – Mateo Sol
72. It is not our differences that divide us, but our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences. – Audre Lorde
73. One of the best ways to learn about empathy is to simply open your heart and mind to others. – Unknown
74. We can only understand life in terms of love. – Leo Buscaglia
75. The more we know ourselves, the more compassionate we can be towards others. – Unknown
76. You don’t have to be psychic to be an empath. You just have to be open-minded and sensitive to the feelings of others. – Jill Willard
77. When we are able to share our own stories, it can help us connect with others in a deeper and more meaningful way. – Unknown
78. We cannot change anything until we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses. – James Baldwin
79. The empath is one who suffers with others; one who feels the pain of the world as if it were their own. – Anthon St. Maarten
80. It is not our differences that divide us, but our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences. – Audre Lorde
81. One of the greatest gifts you can give someone is your undivided attention. – Unknown
82. Highly sensitive people are often able to sense the moods and emotions of those around them before they even express them. – Elaine Aron
83. When you’re an empath, it’s important to remember that you are not responsible for the emotions of others. – Shannon L. Alder
84. If you want to be a good empath, you need to learn how to be emotionally present for others without getting lost in their energy. – Mateo Sol
85. As an empath, it’s important to have healthy boundaries in place so that you don’t become overwhelmed by the emotional energy of others. – Shannon L. Alder
86. Highly sensitive people are often able to sense the emotions of others and to feel their pain as if it were their own. – Shannon L. Alder
87. When you’re in touch with your own emotions, it becomes easier to be in touch with the emotions of others. – Mateo Sol
88. It is not our differences that divide us, but our inability to recognize, accept, and celebrate those differences. – Audre Lorde
89. One of the best ways to learn about empathy is to simply open your heart and mind to others. – Unknown
90. We can only understand life in terms of love. – Leo Buscaglia
91. The more we know ourselves, the more compassionate we can be towards others. – Unknown
92. You don’t have to be psychic to be an empath. You just have to be open-minded and sensitive to the feelings of others. – Jill Willard
93. When we are able to share our own stories, it can help us connect with others in a deeper and more meaningful way. – Unknown
94. We cannot change anything until we accept it. Condemnation does not liberate, it oppresses. – James Baldwin
95. The empath is one who suffers with others; one who feels the pain of the world as if it were their own. – Anthon St. Maarten
96. It is important for empaths to have healthy boundaries in place so that they don’t become overwhelmed by the emotional energy of others. – Shannon L. Alder
97. Highly sensitive people are often able to sense the moods and emotions of those around them before they even express them. – Elaine Aron
98. When you’re an empath, it’s important to remember that you are not responsible for the emotions of others. – Shannon L. Alder
99. If you want to be a good empath, you need to learn how to be emotionally present for others without getting lost in their energy. – Mateo Sol
100. As an empath, it is important to stay grounded and connected to your own energy so that you don’t become overwhelmed by the emotions of others. – Shannon L. Alder