The Dalai Lama on the Practice of Compassion

The actual beneficiary of the practice of compassion and caring for others is oneself.

We may have the impression that the main beneficiaries of the practice of compassion are those on the receiving end; that the practice of compassion is relevant only for those concerned about others and irrelevant for those who are not, because its main benefit goes to others. This is a mistake. The immediate benefit of practicing compassion is actually experienced by the practitioner.

- The Dalai Lama, Illuminating the Path to Enlightenment