Being compassionate means letting your actions be guided by love - not in the sense of romantic or sexual love, but in recognition and appreciation for the unique characteristics of everyone. When we are mindful that every event is unique and every person who has ever lived is irreplaceable, it is far easier to value the lives and happiness of others and to desire their misfortunes corrected.

Being compassionate means practicing patience. If a person we meet is tired, stressed, frustrated, afraid, or worn down from the demands of life, and if that strain causes them to act more brusquely or less politely than they otherwise would, it is far too easy for we who do not see the reasons behind their behavior to respond in the same manner. This only gives others additional motivation to be hostile and continues the cycle of bad feeling and anger. On the other hand, a gentle reply, even in the face of provocation, can turn aside hostility and prevent it from perpetuating itself. Compassion encourages us to take all mitigating factors into account before reacting.

Being compassionate means establishing and enforcing justice. I think it is a common misconception that compassion and justice are intrinsically opposed, such that increasing one means decreasing the other. On the contrary, I believe that being a compassionate person -demands- a solid foundation of justice.