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About this quote

What does it mean?
Emotional responsiveness is essential to having a genuine human heart.
In plain terms
If you cannot feel moved by sadness, you lack empathy.
What can you take from it?
Empathy requires the capacity to be affected by others' pain.

Where it applies

  • assessing character
  • leadership evaluation
  • personal growth

Putting it to work

  • cultivate emotional awareness
  • recognize empathy in others

Questions to consider

  • Do you let yourself feel when others suffer?
  • Is emotional detachment a strength or weakness?

Another view

Some stoic virtues value emotional control over visible reaction.

More from Napoleon Bonaparte

  1. He who fights against his country, is a child who would kill his own mother.

    Permalink to quote #87

  2. He who knows how to flatter also knows how to slander.

    Permalink to quote #89

  3. He who fears being conquered is certain of defeat.

    Permalink to quote #86

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