Living a truly ethical life in which we put the needs of others first and provide for their happiness has tremendous implications for our society. If we change internally—disarm ourselves by dealing constructively with our negative thoughts and emotions—we can literally change the whole world. We have so many powerful tools for creating our ethical and peaceful society already in place. Yet some of these tools are not reaching their full potential. […]
When we are committed to the ideal of concern for all others, it follows that this should inform our social and political policies. I say this not because I suppose thereby we will be able to solve all society's problems overnight. Rather, it is my conviction that unless this wider sense of compassion which I have been urging the on the reader inspires our politics, our policies are likely to harm instead of serve humanity as a whole."
—The Dalai Lama