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About this quote

What does it mean?
The author fears humanitarian ideals are so ingrained that only suffering can break them.
In plain terms
People care too much about others and will only change through pain.
What can you take from it?
Consider whether hardship is necessary to change deep-seated beliefs.

Where it applies

  • social reform
  • personal crisis
  • ethical debate

Putting it to work

  • evaluate belief systems
  • study social change
  • reflect on suffering

Questions to consider

  • Can pain teach empathy?
  • Is suffering necessary to change beliefs?

Another view

The quote suggests suffering is a necessary tool for change, which is ethically dubious.

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