Leigh Hunt has truly said that "Power itself hath not one half the might of gentleness." Men are always best governed through their affections.

There is a French proverb which says that, "LES HOMMES SE PRENNENT PAR LA DOUCEUR," and a coarser English one, to the effect that "More wasps are caught by honey than by vinegar." "Every act of kindness," says Bentham, "is in fact an exercise of power, and a stock of friendship laid up; and why should not power exercise itself in the production of pleasure as of pain ?" Kindness does not consist in gifts, but in gentleness and generosity of spirit.

Men may give their money which comes from the purse, and withhold their kindness which comes from the heart.

The kindness that displays itself in giving money, does not amount to much, and often does quite as much harm as good; but the kindness of true sympathy, of thoughtful help, is never without beneficent results.
The good temper that displays itself in kindness must not be confounded with softness or silliness.

In its best form, it is not a merely passive but an active condition of being.