Do you consider yourself an empath or a highly sensitive person? Do you feel lonely and misunderstood? We hope after reading this article you will no longer feel alone because plenty of people identify with being an empath, and their beautiful and inspirational quotes about empaths and highly sensitive people are designed to be a guide for those of us who feel lost in our own feelings and emotions. The purpose of our collection of empath quotes is to give you hope that somewhere in the world there are going to be others who understand you.
50 Empath Quotes
#1
“I don’t just listen to your words. I listen to your use of words, your tone, your body movements, your eyes, and your subtle facial expressions. I interpret your silences – I can hear everything you don’t say in words.” ~ Empath
#2
“Highly sensitive people are too often perceived as weaklings or damaged goods. To feel intensely is not a symptom of weakness, it is the trademark of the truly alive and compassionate. It is not the empath who is broken, it is society that has become dysfunctional and emotionally disabled. There is no shame in expressing your authentic feelings. Those who are at times described as being a ‘hot mess’ or having ‘too many issues’ are the very fabric of what keeps the dream alive for a more caring, humane world. Never be ashamed to let your tears shine a light in this world.” ~ Anthon St. Maarten
#3
“Empathy is the medicine the world needs.” ~ Judith Orloff
#4
“Intuitive empaths have a more profound grasp of other people’s emotions. Due to this rare trait, they feel the thrill of their surroundings more intensely than others do. In turn, it is almost impossible for them to ignore these senses. Luckily, unlike other empaths, intuitive empaths can control what and how this energy affects them. They can direct this distinct talent towards helping others.” ~ Katya Ki
#5
“It’s this thing I have. I’m sorry if it scared you. I feel other people’s feelings. I imagine crumbling insides and splitting hearts, goodbyes that hang in the air before they break into tiny pieces. I hear words that aren’t said, the echoes of lonely hallways and hollow footsteps. I hear sobs that soak pillowcases when all the lights are out and the world is sleeping. I carry this inside of me, all of it.
I knew you paced the floor at night, trying to walk over all the things you didn’t want me to know. But I felt every wound you ever endured when I rested against you. I felt the ache that I have, deep inside of me, on your lips. Every time we kissed, I tasted a lifetime of tangled paths and bumpy roads woven with joined hands. Love isn’t blind, you see. I felt everything you were and could be, if only you stopped hiding in the same darkness you sheltered me from. I knew who you could become if someone loved you just right. I’m sorry if that scared you.
Just in case you were wondering, I still love you and I’ll keep the lights dim. Come home.” ~ Jacqueline Simon Gunn
#6
“Empaths did not come into this world to be victims, we came to be warriors. Be brave. Stay strong. We need all hands on deck.” ~ Anthon St. Maarten
Empath Quotes
#7
“Heyoka empaths act as mirrors of our persona. They exploit light energies to open people’s minds and heal. They also rarely take things seriously. Heyokas are excellent at making jokes, to make light of a situation. However, when they take their mask off, it itches.” ~ Katya Ki
#8
“The struggle of my life created empathy – I could relate to pain, being abandoned, having people not love me.” ~ Oprah Winfrey
#9
“Everything in existence is energy and gives off waves. Empaths are merely magnets for those energy waves, some feeling small crests while others live bombarded with tidal waves.” ~ Jennifer Soldner
#10
“Empaths don’t see the world as other people do. They process things in a completely different pattern and think outside the box.” ~ Katya Ki
#11
“I believe empathy is the most essential quality of civilization.” ~ Roger Ebert
#12
“Intuition is a wonderful gift but it can be both a blessing and a curse. If you can easily tune in to the grief of another, it is very easy to lose your way if you have not yet resolved your own present or past trauma and grief. If you have not healed from your own grief and you turn around and give all you have to give, you will find yourself drowning. Soon there will be nothing left of you.” ~ Kate McGahan
#13
“Empathy is really the opposite of spiritual meanness. It’s the capacity to understand that every war is both won and lost. And that someone else’s pain is as meaningful as your own.” ~ Barbara Kingsolver
#14
“Empathy is about finding echoes of another person in yourself.” ~ Mohsin Hamid
#15
“Empaths have to be careful not to internalize others’ feelings, as this can cause them to feel anxious, sad, or even depressed. It can leave the empath feeling drained or exhausted. They must learn to set boundaries so as not to let toxic people drain them dry.” ~ Donna G. Bourgeois
#16
“Empaths are born that way, but being empathic is something all, or most of us can learn. They put others in front of themselves as long as it’s doable. Harmony in any given circumstance is something they strive to create. They are being affected by others’ emotions and energies—so balance is super-important to them. They want to make the desires and wishes come true for the ones around them as often as possible. They want to motivate and inspire others to grow as well.” ~ Kristine Einang
#17
“Energy doesn’t lie. Keep sensing it, trusting it, letting it liberate you.” ~ Judith Orloff
#18
“Empaths may hesitate to save themselves first because they think that doing so is selfish, which is not the case. If you’re an empath, know how important it is to take care of yourself first in order to be able to help others. Sometimes there is only so much you can do for others; you might even be doing everyone a disservice by stepping over boundaries.” – Catherine Chea
#19
“The highly sensitive [introverted] tend to be philosophical or spiritual in their orientation, rather than materialistic or hedonistic. They dislike small talk. They often describe themselves as creative or intuitive. They dream vividly, and can often recall their dreams the next day. They love music, nature, art, physical beauty. They feel exceptionally strong emotions–sometimes acute bouts of joy, but also sorrow, melancholy, and fear. Highly sensitive people also process information about their environments – both physical and emotional – unusually deeply. They tend to notice subtleties that others miss – another person’s shift in mood, say, or a lightbulb burning a touch too brightly.” ~ Susan Cain
Empath Quotes
#20
“She had a very inconvenient heart. It always insisted on feeling things ever so deeply.” ~ John Mark Green
#21
“We cannot be more sensitive to pleasure without being more sensitive to pain.” ~ Alan Watts
#22
“When you show deep empathy toward others, their defensive energy goes down, and positive energy replaces it. That’s when you can get more creative in solving problems.” ~ Stephen Covey
#23
“We are in the midst of an evolution of human consciousness, and empaths are the path forgers. A sacred responsibility comes with our sensitivities, which demand more of us than simply retreating into isolation. It’s vital we learn how to avoid feeling overwhelmed so that we can fully shine our power in the world. Empaths and all sensitive people are pioneers on the forefront of a new way of being for humankind.” ~ Judith Orloff
#24
“Empathy is an important and valuable skill to have in many aspects in life. Not only does it contribute to strong bonds and general trust, but it allows us to gain insight of the emotions and thoughts of other people. In a sense, it offers you a chance to experience life the way someone else does.” ~ Tuan Luu
#25
“Empaths have often been labeled as ‘overly sensitive’ and told to ‘get a thicker skin.’ As children and adults, we are shamed for our sensitivities rather than supported. But at this point in my life, I wouldn’t give up being an empath for anything. It lets me sense the secrets of the universe and know passion beyond my wildest dreams.” ~ Judith Orloff
#26
“Heyokas thrive when they are away from crowds. As with all other types of empaths, crowds drain their energy. It is impossible to control the energy of everyone around them and that is why heyokas prefer being in their own company. Alone time gives a heyoka enough time to decompress from all the negative energy they take in and re-energize.” ~ Katya Ki
Empath Quotes
#27
“Sensitive people care when the world doesn’t because we understand waiting to be rescued and no one shows up. We have rescued ourselves, so many times that we have become self-taught in the art of compassion for those forgotten.” ~ Shannon L. Alder
#28
“There’s always someone in your life that asks and expects an awful lot from you. And because you are a super-sensitive person with a great capacity for empathy and kindness, you comply. But sometimes you take it too far. You give more than you should. You are loyal to people who don’t deserve your loyalty. And you stand by those you care for even when they have deserted you emotionally. When this “person” asks again, do yourself a favor instead, and say NO.” ~ Unknown
#29
“I grew up weird – very sensitive and highly inhibited. I felt like I was born in the wrong time zone to the wrong people at the wrong place.” ~ Marla Gibbs
#30
“There are only two kinds of people who can drain your energy: those you love, and those you fear. In both instances, it is you who let them in. They did not force their way into your aura, or pry their way into your reality experience.” ~ Anthon St. Maarten
#31
“Remember that the greatest thing about being empathetic is that when someone accomplishes something awesome, you will feel just as awesome as if you accomplished it yourself.” ~ Michael Unks
#32
“Some say I’m too sensitive but the truth is I just feel too much. Every word, every action, and every energy goes straight to my heart.” ~ Unknown
#33
“Learning to give empathy to myself and others as often as I can each day has rendered astounding benefits… Empathy leads to compassion and compassion to forgiveness and connection.” ~ Judith Hanson Lasater
#34
“What makes an empath’s overload symptoms worse? Fatigue, illness, rushing, traffic, crowds, loud environments, toxic people, low blood sugar, arguing, overwork, chemical sensitivities, too much socializing, and feeling trapped in overstimulating situations such as parties and cruises. Any combination of these conditions intensifies an empath’s overload. Therefore, keep the following in mind: stress + low blood sugar = drama and exhaustion.” ~ Judith Orloff
#35
“I hate having to do small talk. I’d rather talk about deep subjects. I’d rather talk about meditation, or the world, or the trees or animals, than small, inane, you know, banter.” ~ Ellen Degeneres
#36
“Opinion is really the lowest form of human knowledge. It requires no accountability, no understanding. The highest form of knowledge… is empathy, for it requires us to suspend our egos and live in another’s world. It requires profound purpose larger than the self kind of understanding.” ~ Bill Bullard
#37
“My personality confuses people. I enjoy being alone, a lot, but I’m very outgoing and social. My environment dictates how I behave. Sometimes I’m loud, sometimes I’m quiet. I read the energy and adjust. Sometimes I want to tune up and sometimes I just need a book and alone time.” ~ Sylvester McNutt III
#38
“Many people confuse empaths for weak people who are nothing but scared. The opposite is true. When surrounded by positive energy they flourish into lovely creatures that are so much fun to hang around.”
~ Katya Ki
#39
“Empaths don’t act fake. They get quiet.” ~ Jane Lightworker
#40
“Note to empath:
Observe, don’t absorb.” ~ Unknown
#41
“I am sensitive. I love deeply. I think deeply about life. I am honest, loyal, and true. I appreciate the simple things. I will not change or harden to this world. It is this sensitivity, perception, sincerity, awareness, affection, and gentle grace that makes me who I am.” ~ Unknown
#42
“I am an empath. I can hear what you are not saying.” ~ Unknown
#43
“All empaths can feel if someone is genuine or not. Unaware empaths often disregard the red flags. Empowered empaths listen to their intuition right away.” ~ Jane Lightworker
#44
“EMPATH AFFIRMATION: I vow to honor my sensitivities and treat myself lovingly as I explore what it means to be an empath and embrace my gifts. I will appreciate myself every day.” ~ Judith Orloff
Empath Quotes
#45
“Sigma is a personality type of a dominant introvert who is confident and independent. Sigmas like to be alone but, at the same time, they can be socially adept and charming. They are distinct since they are indifferent to the opinions of others and prefer to stick to their own decisions. This is not someone without a purpose, but rather an individual who follows their own heart and doesn’t care about social standards or what others think about them.” ~ Katya Ki
#46
“Those who are sometimes described as being a ‘hot mess’ or having ‘too many issues’ are the very fabric of what keeps the dream alive for a more caring, humane world.” ~ Anthon St. Maarten
#47
“Being an empath is a huge asset when you learn to manage it.” ~ Judith Orloff
#49
“I know a beautiful soul when I feel one. The empath in me honors the authentic in you.” ~ Melody Lee
#50
“Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another, and feeling with the heart of another.” ~ Alfred Adler
We hope you are inspired by these empath quotes as much as we are!