In Charles Dickens’ final completed novel, “Our Mutual Friend,” published in 1864, this line is spoken by young Jenny Wren in defense of her friend Lizzie Hexam. Through the world of Dickens’ richly drawn characters, we hear a quiet nudge toward kindness that is steady, compassionate, and rooted in empathy. The sentiment reflects the author’s lifelong belief that compassion and patience are forms of true courage, a theme woven throughout his work from “A Christmas Carol” to “Bleak House.” It’s a reminder that while it may be easier to harden our hearts when life feels overwhelming, choosing softness is its own kind of power. After all, it’s the small, everyday acts of kindness that ultimately shape who we become — and the legacy we leave behind.