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About this quote

What does it mean?
Seeing another's suffering naturally evokes shared sorrow and a desire to help.
In plain terms
If I see someone sad, I should feel sad and want to help.
What can you take from it?
Empathy is a natural response to witnessing pain.

Where it applies

  • counseling
  • friendship
  • crisis

Putting it to work

  • offer support
  • share sorrow
  • practice empathy

Questions to consider

  • How do you react to others pain?
  • What relief can you offer?

Another view

Some people may struggle to feel empathy due to emotional distance or trauma.

More from William Blake

  1. When the voices of children are heard on the green And laughing is heard on the hill, My heart is at rest within my breast And everything else is still.

    Permalink to quote #49
  2. Rintrah roars and shakes his fires in the burdened air; Hungry clouds swag on the deep.

    Permalink to quote #51
  3. 'For washed in life's river, My bright mane forever Shall shine like the gold As Iguard o'er the fold.'

    Permalink to quote #48

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