So it happens, for instance, that a man who sees another man on the street corner with only a stump for an arm will be so shocked the first time that he'll give him sixpence. But the second time it'll only be a threepenny bit. And if he sees him a third time, he'll hand him over cold-bloodedly to the police.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Compassion fades with repeated exposure to suffering, leading to indifference or hostility.
- In plain terms
- Giving less help over time shows how easily we lose empathy.
- What can you take from it?
- Be aware of compassion fatigue.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When does help become harm?
- Why do we stop caring?
Another view
Repeated exposure is necessary for learning.
More from Bertolt Brecht
And the shark he has his teeth and There they are for all to see And Macheath he has his knife but No one knows where it may be.
Permalink to quote #17 You may proclaim, good sirs, your fine philosophy But till you feed us, right and wrong can wait!
Permalink to quote #19 Because things are the way they are, things will not stay the way they are.
Permalink to quote #16
Related quotes
Say does your heart expand to all mankind And would you ever to your neighbour do, - The weak, the strong, the enlightened and the blind - As you would have yo…
Anne BronteAnne Bronte quote #6 Nous avons tous assez de force pour supporter les maux d'autrui.
Francois de La RochefoucauldFrancois de La Rochefoucauld quote #8 The world laughs at another man's pain.
Jose RizalJose Rizal quote #20