In short: the Buddha taught spreading "a heart full of compassion to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless" (AN 3.65). Here are four genuine quotes, each with its source.
1. AN 3.65
"They meditate spreading a heart full of compassion to one direction, and to the second, and to the third, and to the fourth. In the same way above, below, across, everywhere, all around, they spread a heart full of compassion to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will."
AN 3.65 · More
2. Dhammapada 129
"All tremble at the rod, all fear death. Treating others like oneself, neither kill nor incite to kill."
Dhammapada 129
3. Dhammapada 130
"All tremble at the rod, all love life. Treating others like oneself, neither kill nor incite to kill."
Dhammapada 130
4. Snp 1.8
"Even as a mother would protect with her life her child, her only child, so too for all creatures unfold a boundless heart."
Snp 1.8 · More
All quotes are from the early Buddhist texts in Bhikkhu Sujato's translation on SuttaCentral, copied exactly. Last checked: 18 October 2026.
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What did the Buddha say about compassion?
He taught spreading 'a heart full of compassion to the whole world—abundant, expansive, limitless, free of enmity and ill will' (AN 3.65).