Congratulations, by the Way
Contemplative
Heartwarming

Congratulations, by the Way Some Thoughts on Kindness

George Saunders β€” 2014
Drawing on his well-received convocation address at Syracuse University, one of today's most influential and original writers shows us how to lead kinder, more fulfilling lives. 100,000 first printing.
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Reviews

Photo of Diana Budman
Diana Budman@diana_buds
5 stars
Jan 3, 2023

my coworker sent this to me and it was so heartwarming πŸ’›

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Capucine Fachot@capucine
5 stars
Jan 30, 2022

just perfect, I'll remind myself his words every morning.

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Claudine@claudrod

I can definitely say that it would be truly unkind to give this piece a bad review. :)) Jokes aside, it’s basically like a good friend holding you by the shoulder, whispering a reminder of how we ought to pursue life, in case we forget.

+2
Photo of Sam Spott
Sam Spott@samalot
4 stars
Nov 1, 2021

A lovely little illustrated transcript of a commencement speech. I read it cover to cover on my way to work, and will be glad to reread whenever I need to be reminded to seize opportunities for kindness.

Photo of Phoenix Tesni
Phoenix Tesni @phoenixtesni
5 stars
Jan 7, 2024
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logan chung@lchungr
4 stars
Nov 17, 2023
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Angie Lee@angielee
4 stars
Apr 3, 2023
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Matthew Royal@masyukun
3 stars
Feb 13, 2023
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Sierra Nguyen@sierra-reads
5 stars
Dec 14, 2022
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Jen@fierycracker81
4 stars
Oct 20, 2022
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Nooshin@nooshin
3 stars
Mar 30, 2022
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Nadine @intlnadine
4 stars
Feb 18, 2022
Photo of Chris Poore
Chris Poore@thepoorehouse
5 stars
Jan 16, 2022
Photo of Ben Barry
Ben Barry@benbarry
3 stars
Jan 13, 2022
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Virginia Su@virginiasu
5 stars
Oct 28, 2021
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Brian Alderman@brianaalderman
4 stars
Oct 9, 2021
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Jim Willis@sjwillis
4 stars
Sep 30, 2021
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Kevan Lee@kevanlee
4 stars
Aug 1, 2021
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Thomas Karstens @tpei
4 stars
Jul 30, 2021

Highlights

Photo of Claudine
Claudine@claudrod

Find out what makes you kinder, what opens you up and brings out the most loving, generous, and unafraid version of youand go after those things as if nothing else matters. Because, actually, nothing else does.

Photo of Claudine
Claudine@claudrod

So here's something I know to be true, although it's a little corny, and I don't quite know what to do with it: What I regret most in my life are failures of kindness. Those moments when another human being was there, in front of me, suffering and I responded ... sensibly. Reservedly. Mildly. Or, to look at it from the other end of the telescope: Who, in your life, do you remember most fondly, with the most undeniable feelings of warmth? Those who were kindest to you, I bet. It's a little facile, maybe, and certainly hard to implement, but I'd say, as a goal in life, you could do worse than: Try to be kinder.