"When a person is in a miserable..." - Quote by Dalai Lama
When a person is in a miserable situation, then, yes, it is difficult to develop genuine compassion toward others. That's why I find it difficult to say to poor people, "Please have compassion toward millionaires." That's not easy.
More by Dalai Lama
“I believe all suffering is caused by ignorance. People inflict pain on others in the selfish pursuit of their happiness or satisfaction. Yet true happiness comes from a sense of inner peace and contentment, which in turn must be achieved through the cultivation of altruism, of love and compassion and elimination of ignorance, selfishness and greed.”
“Tibet is not like Kuwait. Kuwait has oil.”
“When, from the depths of your heart, you spontaneously wish all beings to find true, lasting happiness, this is great love.”
More on Compassion
“When I find a ladybug I ask the butler to take it outside instead of killing it.”
“True ahimsa should wear a smile even on a deathbed brought about by an assailant. It is only with that ahimsa that we can befriend our opponents and win their love.”
“Compassion is an act of tolerance where kindness and forgiveness reign. When we make the compassionate choice, we enhance the dignity of each individual, which is the very essence of loving them.”