Compassion and Forgiveness Quotes in The Host

The souls like to think they're all compassionate and benevolent, but how compassionate can they be when they stop around the galaxy, killing indiscriminately, and taking over body after body?

This is interesting logic on Wanderer's part. Is the planet better off? It's not as though the aliens are going on doing all sorts of deeds for the benefit of the planet. They're acting exactly like the humans do, except without the murder and violence.

Wanda might be compassionate, but she's hardly empathetic. As evidenced by this question early in the novel, she's trying to get Melanie to realize that it was a good idea for her entire race to be wiped out. Um, we think that's going to be a pretty hard sell.

Ian doesn't yet realize why he's defending Wanderer at this point. We're not sure either. Does he feel guilty that someone's trying to hit a girl, or is he starting to care for what's on the inside?

Now we know exactly why he's defending Wanda. Ian develops compassion for her, for who she really is, and stands up for her to his own friends.

Sharon illustrates the exact opposite of compassion and forgiveness. She can't put aside her issues with Wanda even when Wanda saves the life of her nephew. In fact, she hasn't apologized to Wanda by the time the book ends. (Maybe in part two.)

Wanda is talking about being consumed by hatred and never forgiving someone who's done you wrong. And, well, she has a point.

You might say that Wanda is compassionate to a fault. She feels for the humans so much, that she's willing to kill herself to bring Melanie back. She also tells them the secret that could turn the tables back in the human's favor, betraying her own race.

This is something we never thought we'd see: Kyle apologizing. Well, it's not like it seems particularly heartfelt, or anything.

Here we see the pinnacle of Ian's compassion. He holds Wanda's true form and still finds her beautiful. No offense to Wanda, but this is like if you became really good friends with a cockroach (and not the cute one from Wall-e) and found it beautiful.