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About this quote

What does it mean?
A dark joke suggests that attacking those with sympathy would be counterproductive.
In plain terms
He would hurt everyone except someone who needs sympathy.
What can you take from it?
Exploiting sympathy can shield people from harm.

Where it applies

  • discussing ethics
  • analyzing social dynamics
  • joking about violence

Putting it to work

  • recognizing vulnerability
  • avoiding moral backlash
  • using humor

Questions to consider

  • Does sympathy protect anyone?
  • Is humor a shield?

Another view

Sympathy can be manipulated for malicious ends.

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  2. It is a defect of God's humour that he directs our hearts everywhere but to those who have a right to them.

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  3. We shed as we pick up, like travellers who must carry everything in their arms, and what we let fall will be picked up by those behind. The procession is very …

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