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About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker dismisses distant tragedies as mere decoration regardless of their horror.
In plain terms
I do not care about tragic events far away even if they involve suffering.
What can you take from it?
Be aware of how distance makes us indifferent to others' pain.

Where it applies

  • reading news
  • political apathy
  • traveling

Putting it to work

  • checking local news
  • practicing empathy
  • studying history

Questions to consider

  • Why do distant events feel distant?
  • Is indifference a choice?

Another view

Many people do care deeply about distant tragedies shown in media.

More from Fernando Pessoa

  1. The slope takes you to the windmill, but effort takes you nowhere.

    Permalink to quote #100
  2. To narrate is to create, for living is just being lived.

    Permalink to quote #98
  3. Destiny gave me only two things: a few accounting books and the gift of dreaming.

    Permalink to quote #101

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