"I learned that it is the weak who are cruel, and that gentleness is to be expected only from the strong"

In this quote, Leo Rosten is suggesting that true strength lies in gentleness and compassion, instead of in ruthlessness and hostility. He believes that those who are truly strong are able to manage their impulses and show empathy, while those who are weak succumb to their unfavorable propensities and act cruelly. Rosten is also implying that society typically associates strength with aggressiveness and violence, however in truth, it is the mild and kind people who have real strength. This quote serves as a tip to not underestimate the power of gentleness and to strive towards being a strong and compassionate individual.